Fiat 500 vs Suzuki Swift vs Kia Picanto: which one has the lowest running costs?

Over 2-million current-generation Fiat 500 models currently populate the world’s roads, making this micro-machine a timelessly fashionable way of achieving personal mobility without breaking the proverbial bank.

For our comparison today we have chosen three budget-friendly hatchbacks products with small-capacity petrol engines, manual gearboxes, which are similarly priced and are popular in the supermini segment. Our aim is to determine which offers the lowest running costs, the Fiat 500, Suzuki Swift lo or the Kia Picanto

The figures

	Fiat 500 TwinAir Cult	Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX	Kia Picanto 1.2 Style
Engine size	2-cyl, 0.9-litre turbo petrol	4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol	4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol
Power/Torque	63 kW/145 Nm	61 kW/113 Nm	61 kW/122 Nm
Gearbox	5-speed manual	5-speed manual	5-speed manual
Boot volume	185-litres	268-litres	255-litres
Airbags	7	2	2
Kerb weight	930kg	875kg	962kg
0-100km/h	11 sec	12 sec	Not quoted
Fuel capacity	42-litres	40-litres	37-litres
Claimed consumption	4.0 L/100 km	4.9 L/100 km	5.0 L/100 km
Warranty	5-year/100 000km	5-year/200 000km	5-year/unlimited
Service plan	Optional	2-year /30 000 km	2-year/30 000km
Price	R219 900	R218 900	R222 995

 

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models that we have chosen for this comparison are direct competitors from a pricing and segment perspective, with petrol engines and manual gearboxes. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72-months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Fiat 500 TwinAir Cult

With the instalment parameters in place, the 500 will work out at R3 769 per month over the 72 months.

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX

With the instalment parameters in place, the Swift will work out at R3 750 per month over the 72 months.

Kia Picanto 1.2 Style

With the instalment parameters in place, the Picanto will work out at R3 820 per month over the 72 months.

Fuel consumption

Fuel consumption is one of the most important factors in a running cost comparison. Our trio are all incredibly efficient, however, the only turbocharged car here, the Fiat, with its tiny 2-cylinder engine, is the most efficient on paper, followed by the Suzuki and then the Kia, by the narrowest of margins.

Warranties & service plans

While all three of the products in this comparison 5-year warranties, however, the Fiat’s is limited to 100 000km, the Suzuki’s 200 000km while the Kia’s is an unlimited mileage plan for those doing a lot of driving.

The Fiat is also third when it comes to its service plan, or lack thereof, with no standard service plan listed, while the Kia and Suzuki both feature 2-year/30 000km service plans.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, our three contenders will all be very affordable machines to run for the first half-a-decade of their automotive lives, however, we must dive a bit deeper. Upon first glance, the Fiat was right in the fight, but its lack of a standard service plan more than negates its claimed superiority in the fuel consumption category and lands it in third place. That leaves the Swift and the Picanto, which are nearly identical in every area, leading us to call this round a draw, with the Kia and Suzuki sharing the spoils