VS
At a Glance
Power
66kW@4000
49 kW
Torque
220Nm@1500
95 Nm
Fuel
5
5.3 l/100km
Towing
1100
—
0-100 km/h
13.5
—
Engine
1396
998 cc
Choosing between the HYUNDAI i20 and the Kia Picanto is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The HYUNDAI i20 delivers 66kW@4000 while the Kia Picanto produces 49 kW. On fuel, the i20 returns 5 while the Picanto uses 5.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R204 900 for the i20 and R269 995 for the Picanto. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
66kW@4000
49 kW
Torque
220Nm@1500
95 Nm
0-100 kph
13.5
—
Top Speed
174
149 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1396
998 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
DIESEL
petrol
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
6
4
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5
5.3 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45
35 l
CO2 Emissions
110
126 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3995
3595 mm
Width
-1710
1595 mm
Height
1490
1495 mm
Wheelbase
2525
2400 mm
Ground Clearance
150
151 mm
Kerb Weight
1115
974 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
2
Load Volume
—
909 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1100
—
Load Capacity
295
350 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
—
Traction Control
✗
—
Airbag Count
6
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
—
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
—
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
—
Cruise Control
✗
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✗
—
Alloy Wheels
✗
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
60
5
Warranty Distance
150000
unlimited Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
2
Service Plan Distance
—
30000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
HYUNDAI i20
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Picanto
Fuel Economy
i20
Value
i20
Practicality
i20
Pros & Cons
HYUNDAI i20
Better fuel economy (5)
Lower starting price (R204 900)
No factory service plan
Kia Picanto
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (5.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i20 or Picanto?
The i20 uses 5 and the Picanto uses 5.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The i20 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i20 or Picanto?
The i20 produces 66kW@4000 and 220Nm@1500 of torque while the Picanto delivers 49 kW and 95 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the i20 and Picanto?
The i20 starts from R204 900 and the Picanto from R269 995. The i20 is cheaper by R65 095 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i20 or Picanto?
The i20 has a braked towing capacity of 1100 and the Picanto can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i20 or the Picanto?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.