Renault Trafic 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 Renault Trafic starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia PV5 opens at $55,990. That makes the Kia PV5 the more affordable entry point by $4,000.
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 $65,989 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 Renault Trafic, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia PV5 by roughly $5,725 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.
The Kia PV5 counters with Apple CarPlay that the Renault Trafic does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Renault Trafic uses a Diesel producing 110kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.2 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 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Renault Trafic is 1.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Renault Trafic measures 4,999mm long on a 3,098mm wheelbase, 304mm longer than the Kia PV5 at 4,695mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Renault Trafic generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 5200L in the Renault Trafic and 1500L in the Kia PV5, giving the Renault Trafic a 3700L advantage. The Kia PV5 seats 5 vs 2.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,052/year for the Renault Trafic and $907/year for the Kia PV5. That is a $1,145 annual difference in favour of the Kia PV5.
Estimated annual total: $2,052 (Renault Trafic) vs $907 (Kia PV5). The Kia PV5 saves you roughly $1,145 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 200,000km (Renault Trafic) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia PV5). The Kia PV5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Renault Trafic if: You need more boot space, or prefer Renault'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 Renault Trafic and Kia PV5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia PV5 will save you roughly $1,145 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Renault Trafic 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.
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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
