Kia Bongo K2500, Hyundai Porter, GAZelle Next or FAW: how to choose a 1.5-tonne truck
We break down the four most popular chassis in the 1.5-tonne class — what they share, how they differ and what body COND fits on each.
The 1.5-tonne class is the most popular with small and medium businesses: a category B licence, low loading height, city manoeuvrability. In this segment people most often choose between four chassis — Kia Bongo K2500, Hyundai Porter, GAZelle Next and FAW T80. We break down how they differ and what body to fit on them.
What unites the class
All four chassis have a loading height under a metre — convenient for manual loading without a ramp or special equipment. The payload stays around 1.5 tonnes, and the compact dimensions allow working on narrow city streets and entering yards where a heavy truck won't pass.
Chassis comparison
| Chassis | Strong point | Worth considering |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Bongo K2500 | One of the most common in the class, a wide service and parts network across Kazakhstan | Popularity — high demand on the secondary market at resale |
| Hyundai Porter | A compact manoeuvrable cab, convenient for frequent stops on a route | A slightly smaller internal body volume than its counterparts |
| GAZelle Next | The most affordable servicing in Kazakhstan, familiar to local drivers | More demanding of regular maintenance under intensive use |
| FAW T80 | The most affordable entry price into the class | The dealer network in the regions is still narrower than for the Korean and Russian counterparts |
What body to fit on a 1.5-tonne truck
On all four chassis we make insulated vans and dry-freight bodies, and on Kia Bongo and GAZelle Next also refrigerators for distributing chilled and frozen products. When choosing a body it's important to settle on the temperature mode: a detailed checklist is in the article 'How to choose a refrigerator'.
What to choose for you
If you plan to distribute food and want the most offers on the secondary market when selling the vehicle — take a Kia Bongo. For courier delivery with frequent stops, the compact Hyundai Porter is more convenient. If minimal service cost and service availability in any region matter — GAZelle Next. For entering business on a limited budget, it's worth looking at the FAW T80.
We fit bodies on all four chassis — both a new one bought to order and one you already have. See the brand pages: Kia, Hyundai, ГАЗ, FAW.