Cab-over-Truck Comparo: Kia K2500 Karga, Hyundai H100, Mitsubishi L300, Isuzu Traviz

A growing demand for commercial light vehicles is afoot, driven by a strengthening economy and improving infrastructure. Case in point, the relaunch of the Kia K2500 Karga and the Mitsubishi L300 this year, with the latter returning after a two year hiatus. This year also saw the arrival of the Isuzu Traviz to our shores, and along with the Hyundai H100, give small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a veritable list of transport options to grow their businesses with.

Carmudi provides you with this comparison of the four commercial vehicles. Use the information below to see which one meets your needs in terms of payload capacity, seating capacity, price, and other considerations you may have for business.

Kia K2500 Karga

Now under Ayala Automotive Group, Kia reenters the Commercial Vehicle category with the re-launch of the Kia K2500 Karga, replacing the K2700 Panoramic. The Kia Karga has an overall measurement of 3,052mm-4,825mm length, 1,740mm width, and 1,684mm-2,105 height depending on whether you choose a Cab & Chassis or Closed Van layout. Either way, wheelbase is at 2,415mm.

In Closed Van form, the K2500 is able to seat up to 16 passengers at the rear. A payload capacity of 835 kgs. ensures this van has all the hauling power you need whether you plan to transport people or goods.

As for the engine, the Kia K2500 comes with a 2.5L CRDi turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. This pairing helps this van dish out 128 hp and 255 Nm of torque. The engine kowtows to the Euro-4 Standard, giving you an efficient commercial vehicle, both in performance and emissions. The Kia K2500 Karga is priced as follows:

Single Cab 4x2 Cab and Chassis	PHP 810,000
Single Cab 4x2 Closed Van Dealer Option	PHP 910,000
Single Cab 4x2 Karga Dealer Option	PHP 998,000

Mitsubishi L300

When it comes to commercial vehicles, the Mitsubishi L300 is inarguably the easiest one to recall. It’s practically synonymous with Filipino culture, just like the Toyota Tamaraw FX. The L300 comes in a number of body styles, including a standalone Cab & Chassis if you want to install your own body or buy one from your choice of builder.

Aside from Cab & Chassis, the L300 van also comes in FB Rear Body layout. FB is short for Family Business, Mitsubishi’s term for Closed Van. Overall measurements are at 4,260mm length, 1,695mm wide, and 1,895mm height, with a wheelbase of 2,350mm. This allows for a seating capacity of 14 passengers at the rear cab. Payload is a whopping 1,085 kgs.

The new L300 is powered by Mitsubishi’s turbocharged 2.2-liter 4N14 mill that produces 98 hp and 200 Nm of torque. The engine is also Euro-4 compliant. The Mitsubishi L300 is priced as follows:

L300 C/C 2.2 Diesel Euro 4

PHP 804,000

Hyundai H100

For some time, Hyundai was pretty much sitting cozy for a while in the commercial vehicle segment, with very little competition in sight. But with the arrival of the Traviz, L300, and Karga this year, resting on its laurels is no longer an option, and so Hyundai launched the KapitanKargo as additional trim to its H100 lineup, dedicated cargo van with a rear cab that measures 3,050mm long, 1,700mm wide and 1,730mm tall and 1-ton carrying capacity.

As for the standard H100, it has a measurement of 4,850mm length, 1,740mm width, and 1,970mm height, along with a wheelbase of 2,430mm. Add to that a passenger seating volume of 20 persons and payload capacity of 1335 kgs and the Hyundai H100 gives you veritable workhorse in your hands.

The Hyundai H100 van is propelled by a 2.5 CRDi DOHC 16V Euro-4 compliant engine that does 128 hp and 255 Nm of torque. And yes, it’s the same engine found in the Kia K2500. Pricing for the H100 is as follows:

H-100 2.5 CRDi Class 1 PUJ w/ AC GL	PHP 1,380,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi Class 1 PUJ w/o AC GL	PHP 1,298,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi GL 6MT Cargo-HA w/ AC	PHP 1,078,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi GL 6MT Cargo-HA w/o AC	PHP 1,038,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi GL 6MT (Shuttle w/ Front AC )	PHP 1,230,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi GL 6MT Shuttle w/o AC	PHP 1,190,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi GL 6MT w/ AC	PHP 985,000
H-100 2.5 CRDi GL 6MT w/o AC	PHP 945,000

Isuzu Traviz

The Isuzu Traviz may be the latest addition to this bunch, but with Isuzu’s name behind it, you can bet it’s no slouch. Dimensions-wise, the Traviz measures 4,450mm-4,600mm in length, 1,695 in width, and 1,955 in height. It’s got two different wheelbases for its two different trims: 2,250mm for the Traviz S and 2,400mm for the Traviz L.

The all-new Isuzu Traviz is fitted with a 2.5 liter 4JA1 Common Rail Direct Inject Blue Power engine. As the same power mill installed in the discontinued Crosswind, it can provide around 77 hp and 176 Nm torque. The Traviz comes standard in Cab & Chassis configuration, so seating capacity is determined by your choice of van. Boasting a 1,660 kgs payload capacity, pricing for the Isuzu Traviz is as follows:

Traviz S (cab & chassis only)	PHP 962,000
Traviz L (cab & chassis only)	PHP 992,000

Also read: Isuzu PH Unveils All-New Traviz
The Mitsubishi L300 is Officially Back!