Ford Transit vs Kia PV5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Vans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Ford Transit starts from $69,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia PV5 opens at $55,990. That makes the Kia PV5 the more affordable entry point by $14,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $76,989 and $61,589 respectively.
The Kia PV5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Ford Transit, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia PV5 by roughly $7,150 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Ford Transit uses a Diesel producing 96kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12 seconds.
The Kia PV5 responds with a Electric Motor making 120kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.5 seconds.
The Kia PV5 has the clear power advantage at 120kW vs 96kW. In the real-world sprint, the Ford Transit is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Transit measures 5,531mm long on a 3,750mm wheelbase, 836mm longer than the Kia PV5 at 4,695mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Ford Transit generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 9000L in the Ford Transit and 1500L in the Kia PV5, giving the Ford Transit a 7500L advantage. The Kia PV5 seats 5 vs 3.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,337/year for the Ford Transit and $907/year for the Kia PV5. That is a $1,430 annual difference in favour of the Kia PV5.
Estimated annual total: $2,337 (Ford Transit) vs $907 (Kia PV5). The Kia PV5 saves you roughly $1,430 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Ford Transit) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia PV5). The Kia PV5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Transit if: You need more boot space, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia PV5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Ford Transit and Kia PV5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia PV5 will save you roughly $1,430 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Ford Transit has a clear edge. The Kia PV5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Ford Transit and Kia PV5?
The Kia PV5 is the cheapest at $55,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Ford Transit by $14,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Ford Transit uses the least fuel at 8.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Ford Transit all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Ford Transit has the largest boot at 9000L.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Transit has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia PV5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia PV5 makes the most power at 120kW. The Ford Transit is quickest to 100km/h in 12s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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