KIA K2700 vs KIA Picanto Panel Van

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

KIA K2700 in South Africa

KIA K2700

2.7D Workhorse Tipper Diesel Manual
ZAR 404,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 56 kW 🔧 152 Nm Nm ⛽ 10.5 km/l
VS
KIA Picanto Panel Van in South Africa

KIA Picanto Panel Van

1.0 LS Panel Van Auto Petrol Automatic
ZAR 269,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 49 kW 🔧 94 Nm ⛽ 16.4 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance K2700
⛽ Fuel Economy Picanto Panel Van
🛡 Safety Picanto Panel Van
📦 Practicality K2700
🔑 Ownership Picanto Panel Van
Picanto Panel Van starts ZAR 351995 cheaper K2700 from ZAR 351,995 · Picanto Panel Van from ZAR 249,995

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec K2700 Picanto Panel Van
Engine Power 56 kW 49 kW
Torque 152 Nm 94 Nm
Engine Size 2665 cc 998 cc
Claimed Mileage 10.5 km/l 16.4 km/l
Ground Clearance 195 mm 155 mm
Boot / Load Bay Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm 620 l
Airbags 0 6
Kerb Weight 1880 kg 950 kg
Seating Capacity 2 2
Warranty 5 Years / 150,000 km 7 Years/150

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Picanto Panel Van holds a noticeable edge over K2700, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance K2700 +10 pts
Efficiency Picanto Panel Van +20 pts
Safety Picanto Panel Van +76 pts
Practicality K2700 +15 pts
Ownership Picanto Panel Van +22 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

K2700

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

Picanto Panel Van

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

K2700

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Picanto Panel Van

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec K2700 Picanto Panel Van
Model Introduced Year 1997 2018
Generation Long-running light commercial vehicle; established in SA commercial fleet market Based on third-generation JA Picanto platform; commercial derivative
Facelift History Updated in 2005, 2012; current model ongoing production with specification updates Updated with third-generation Picanto platform in 2021
Facelift Launched Since 2012 2021
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Van Van
Color Note White (standard fleet specification) Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Van Van
Vehicle Type Van Van
Spec K2700 Picanto Panel Van
Ground Clearance 195 mm 155 mm
Wheelbase 2685 mm 2400 mm
Length 4870 mm 3595 mm
Width 1840 mm 1595 mm
Height 2060 mm 1480 mm
Kerb Weight 1880 kg 950 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 3100 kg 1400 kg
Seating Capacity 2 2
Boot Space Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm 620 l
Towing Capacity - 0 kg
Front Track Width 1490 mm 1415 mm
Rear Track Width 1550 mm 1420 mm
Turning Radius 11.4 m 4.8 m
Load Bed Length Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm 620 l
Load Bed Width 1500 mm 1150 mm
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 855 mm 0 mm
Front Headroom 1010 mm 970 mm
Rear Headroom 955 mm 0 mm
Front Shoulder Room 1405 mm 1355 mm
Rear Shoulder Room 1350 mm 0 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded - 620 l
Number of Doors 2 3
Max Payload 1220 kg 450 kg
Boot Volume Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm 620 l
Doors 2 3
Seats 2 2
Front Overhang 820 mm 735 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 70 l 35 l
Rear Overhang 1365 mm 460 mm
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 3100 kg 1400 kg
Ground Clearance Max 195 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance Min 195 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 195 mm 155 mm
Height Mm 2060 mm 1480 mm
Length Mm 4870 mm 3595 mm
Loadbox Length Mm Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm 620 l
Loadbox Width Mm 1500 mm 1150 mm
Payload Kg 1220 kg 450 kg
Cargo Volume Load bed 1800 x 1500 mm 620 l
Tare Mass Kg 1880 kg 950 kg
Turning Circle 11.4 m 4.8 m
Turning Circle M 11.4 m 4.8 m
Width Mm 1840 mm 1595 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded - 620 l

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Picanto Panel Van leads by 17 points

Picanto Panel Van holds a noticeable edge over K2700, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 56 /100
Lead 17 points
Data 96% confidence
56
#1 Winner

Picanto Panel Van

96% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 76 Check Performance 22
Performance 22
Efficiency 63
Safety 76
Practicality 59
Ownership 71
Leads by 17 points
39
#2

K2700

80% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 74 Check Safety 0
Performance 32
Efficiency 43
Safety 0
Practicality 74
Ownership 49
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance K2700 +10 Efficiency Picanto Panel Van +20 Safety Picanto Panel Van +76 Practicality K2700 +15 Ownership Picanto Panel Van +22

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Picanto Panel Van

Performance 22/100
Efficiency 63/100
Safety 76/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 71/100

K2700

Performance 32/100
Efficiency 43/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 74/100
Ownership 49/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 KIA Picanto Panel Van wins with 56 pts vs 39 pts for K2700

In structured scoring, Picanto Panel Van emerges as the stronger overall package. However, K2700 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.

K2700
K2700
VS
XUV 3XO Xprez Panel Van
XUV 3XO Xprez Panel Van
K2700 vs XUV 3XO Xprez Panel Van →
K2700
K2700
VS
Venue Cargo
Venue Cargo
K2700 vs Venue Cargo →
K2700
K2700
VS
Sonet Panel Van
Sonet Panel Van
K2700 vs Sonet Panel Van →
K2700
K2700
VS
Grand i10 Cargo
Grand i10 Cargo
K2700 vs Grand i10 Cargo →
K2700
K2700
VS
Super Carry
Super Carry
K2700 vs Super Carry →
K2700
K2700
VS
Eeco
Eeco
K2700 vs Eeco →
Picanto Panel Van
Picanto Panel Van
VS
XUV 3XO Xprez Panel Van
XUV 3XO Xprez Panel Van
Picanto Panel Van vs XUV 3XO Xprez Panel Van →
Picanto Panel Van
Picanto Panel Van
VS
Venue Cargo
Venue Cargo
Picanto Panel Van vs Venue Cargo →

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

K2700
K2700
VS
Transit Custom
Transit Custom
K2700 vs Transit Custom →
K2700
K2700
VS
Transit Van
Transit Van
K2700 vs Transit Van →
K2700
K2700
VS
EX-8 Chassis Cab
EX-8 Chassis Cab
K2700 vs EX-8 Chassis Cab →
K2700
K2700
VS
EX-8 Dropside
EX-8 Dropside
K2700 vs EX-8 Dropside →
K2700
K2700
VS
EX-8 Tipper
EX-8 Tipper
K2700 vs EX-8 Tipper →
K2700
K2700
VS
EX-8 Van Body
EX-8 Van Body
K2700 vs EX-8 Van Body →

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Picanto Panel Van edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: K2700 43 vs Picanto Panel Van 63. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: K2700 0, Picanto Panel Van 76. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: K2700 49, Picanto Panel Van 71. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: K2700 74, Picanto Panel Van 59. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: K2700 32, Picanto Panel Van 22. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Picanto Panel Van edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Picanto Panel Van scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between K2700 and Picanto Panel Van in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: K2700 scores 32 vs 22.

Efficiency: K2700 scores 43 vs 63.

Safety: K2700 scores 0 vs 76.

Practicality: K2700 scores 74 vs 59.

Ownership: K2700 scores 49 vs 71.

Final structured scoring gives Picanto Panel Van the advantage in this comparison.