The budget-friendly hatchback segment still accounts for a significant portion of local vehicle sales, making the introduction of a new kia Picanto important for local consumers. The new Picanto appears to be better than ever, but how does it compare with rivals such as the Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10?
Related: 2024 Kia Picanto - First Drive Review
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX auto
Powertrain and performance
In this guise, the Picanto is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine with 49kW and 95Nm which is paired with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed to be 5.3 L/100km, and the top speed is 149 km/h.
Standard equipment
The LX trim, the Picanto gets 14-inch wheels with hubcaps, dual front airbags, a multifunction steering wheel, colour screen infotainment system, remote central locking, cloth-covered seats and a rear-view camera.
Safety
The updated Picanto is set to be crash-tested by the ANCAP shortly.
Practicality
The Picanto features a 255-litre boot, which expands to 1 010-litres with the rear seats folded flat.
Price and value proposition
At R278 995, the LX auto Picanto is most certainly not cheap in 2024.
The competition
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX auto
The Swift is one of the best-selling passenger cars in South Africa, and for good reason. There's a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 61kW/113Nm paired with a 5-speed automated manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is claimed to be at 4.9 L/100km, and its top speed is 165 km/h.
The GLX-spec Swift has more features than the Picanto, matching the Kia but adding climate control, keyless entry/start, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and rear Park Distance Control. The Swift formed part of a 2022 ELVS Report where it performed well versus key rivals. We have used this test data as there seem to be blurred lines between cars tested in India and the products we received locally regarding safety specifications. Practicality-wise, the Swift features a 268-litre boot which expands to 579 and 953-litres.
Hyundai Grand i10
The Grand i10 was also recently refreshed, and offers a solid package, with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 61kW and 114Nm that is paired with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The Grand i10 will consume fuel at a claimed rate of 5.9 L/100km, and its top speed is said to be 160km/h.
The Hyundai in Motion auto specification is the priciest product in this comparison but is the largest vehicle. Fetaures-wise, the Hyundai is nearly identical to the Picanto but gets cloth/vinyl seats and rear Park Distance Control. The Grand i10's sibling, the i10, was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2020, achieving a 3-star rating. There's a 360-litre boot that expands to 910-litres with the rear seat folded flat.
Related: New Kia Picanto announced!
Facts and figures:
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX auto |
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX auto |
Hyundai Grand i10 hatch Motion auto | |
Engine size (cyl/size) | 3-cyl, 1.0-litre petrol | 4-cyl, 1.2-litrepetrol | 4-cyl, 1.2-litre petrol |
Power/Torque | 49 kW/95 Nm | 61 kW/113 Nm | 61 kW/114 Nm |
CO2 emissions | 126 g/km | 116 g/km | 141 g/km |
Airbag count | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Fuel tank capacity | 35 litres | 37 litres | 37 litres |
Ave Consumption * | 5.3 L/100 km | 4.9 L/100 km | 5.9 L/100 km |
Driven wheels | Front | Front | Front |
Boot volume | 255-1 010-litres | 268-579-953-litres | 360-910-litres |
Service plan | 2-yr/20 000km | 2-yr/20 000km | 1-yr/15 000km |
Price | R278 995 | R263 900 | R262 500 |
* Manufacturer's claimed figures.
Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.
Verdict
Having examined the data of the trio assembled here, despite its annoying gearbox, we would opt for the Suzuki Swift among the trio here. It offers the best efficiency, the most specification and is reasonably practical.
