Kia K2700: a versatile performer

June 30, 2023

The Kia K2700 is one of the only light commercial vehicles in South Africa with an unlimited kilometre warranty, an attribute that gives businesses real peace of mind. But what’s it like to drive on a daily basis? FOCUS journalist CLARE PETRA MATTHES put it to the test.

My first thought on taking delivery of the K2700 was: “Can this really be a light commercial vehicle?” It was fitted with a huge Beekman canopy which, while offering an awful lot of loading space, made my Kia look more like a medium commercial vehicle. I wondered if I would be comfortable behind the wheel…

My fears were soon allayed, however, as I hoisted myself into the surprisingly comfortable driver’s seat. The driving position gave an excellent view of the road and a real “trucker” position looking down on the steering wheel, which I instantly grabbed in a relaxed “palms-up” motion ready to take on the streets of Johannesburg. Looking around the dashboard and centre console, I was happy to see a much more inviting scene than I had envisaged. It was certainly much more enticing than the utilitarian cabin I had expected.

Under the hood, the K2700 houses a 2.7-litre engine with 62kW of power at 4,150r/min and 165 Nm of torque at 2,400r/min. This provides sufficient power to tackle day-to-day business operations, although sometimes it’s necessary to shift down a few gears when faced with particularly steep uphill climbs.

One standout feature of the Kia K2700 is its practicality. Whether you need to transport goods or equipment, it has your back. With a well-designed load height, even bulkier items can be accommodated without hassle. Its versatility allows it to adapt to various cargo types, making it an asset for businesses of all kinds.

The compact footprint of the K2700 makes manoeuvring in tight spaces a breeze, whether navigating through narrow streets or squeezing into small parking spots. The cab’s position directly over the front wheels means you are sat almost directly over the pivot point, providing instant feedback and facilitating precise control. This exceptional manoeuvrability makes the K2700 a joy to drive, instilling confidence in the driver and ensuring that no road or narrow street is off-limits.

When it comes to parking, the K2700 is equipped with a handy reversing camera incorporated into the rear-view mirror. This was really convenient on the model I was driving because the large canopy rendered the standard mirror practically useless; although the camera is fairly low resolution, it made parking exceptionally easy.

Despite its utilitarian nature, the K2700 is still quite comfortable. The seats offer decent support and although I only used the K2700 for short journeys, I would imagine that long journeys or extended work hours won’t leave you feeling too tired. The ride quality is good considering the vehicle’s purpose, although the suspension may bounce you around a bit when you are not carrying any load.

Driving the K2700 is a pleasant surprise. It handles well, while the responsive steering provides a sense of control and makes every drive an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re manoeuvring through city traffic or cruising along open roads, the K2700’s performance is solid, and I felt confident driving it almost immediately.

You’ll likely spot a fair number of K2700s on the road – a testament to the model’s popularity with businesses. It’s no wonder, as this vehicle offers a winning combination of practicality, reliability, and performance.

The Kia K2700 quickly proves itself an adaptable all-rounder, ready to tackle a range of tasks and meet the demands of different industries. In summary: a solid performer that delivers where it counts, its practicality, ease of driving, and compact footprint make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking a versatile solution.