KIA K2700 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

KIA K2700 in South Africa

KIA K2700

2.7D Workhorse Tipper Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 404,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 56 kW 🔧 152 Nm ⛽ 10.5 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

KIA K2700 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the short answer

Pajero Sport has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over K2700.

K2700 starts ZAR 437,995 cheaper K2700 from ZAR 351,995 · Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification K2700 Pajero Sport
Maximum Power K270056 kW @ 3200 rpm Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque K2700152 Nm @ 2000 rpm Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size K27002665 cc Pajero Sport2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy K270010.5 km/l Pajero Sport12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance K2700195 mm Pajero Sport218 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

K2700

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

Pajero Sport

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

K2700

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Pajero Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec K2700 Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year 1997 2017
Generation Long-running light commercial vehicle; established in SA commercial fleet market Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History Updated in 2005, 2012; current model ongoing production with specification updates South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since 2012 Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Van SUV
Color Note White (standard fleet specification) -
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Van Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1880 kg -
Vehicle Type Van Passenger vehicle
Spec K2700 Pajero Sport
Length 4870 mm 4825 mm
Width 1840 mm 1815 mm
Height 2060 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2685 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 218 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 145 mm 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 70 l 68 l
Boot/Cargo Space 3000 l 193 l
Kerb Weight 1880 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2850 kg 2775 kg
Payload Capacity 1300 kg 695 kg
Towing Capacity 1180 kg 2850 kg
Seating Capacity 2 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 1 rows 3 rows
Doors 2 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 11.4 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm 1022 mm
Rear Headroom Not Applicable 957 mm
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1067 mm
Rear Legroom Not Applicable 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This K2700 and Pajero Sport comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: K2700 32 vs Pajero Sport 65.

Efficiency index: K2700 43 vs Pajero Sport 49.

Safety-equipment index: K2700 0 vs Pajero Sport 72.

Practicality index: K2700 68 vs Pajero Sport 71.

Ownership-cover index: K2700 49 vs Pajero Sport not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Pajero Sport leads by 28 points

Pajero Sport has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over K2700.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 28 points
Data 83% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Leads by 28 points
37
#2

K2700

84% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Practicality 68 Check Safety 0
Performance 32
Efficiency 43
Safety 0
Practicality 68
Ownership 49
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Pajero Sport +33 Efficiency Pajero Sport +6 Safety Pajero Sport +72 Practicality Pajero Sport +3

Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

K2700

Performance 32/100
Efficiency 43/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 68/100
Ownership 49/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 37 pts for K2700

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Pajero Sport leads. However, K2700 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

K2700 vs Pajero Sport questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.