VS
At a Glance
Power
73 kW
49 kW
Torque
133 Nm
95 Nm
Fuel
6.9 l/100km
5.1 l/100km
Towing
800 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
12.5 s
—
Engine
1368 cc
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 73 kW while the Kia Picanto produces 49 kW. On fuel, the i20 returns 6.9 l/100km while the Picanto uses 5.1 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R349 900 for the i20 and R260 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
73 kW
49 kW
Torque
133 Nm
95 Nm
0-100 kph
12.5 s
—
Top Speed
173 Km/h
155 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1368 cc
998 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Transmission
automatic
manual
Number of Gears
6
5
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.9 l/100km
5.1 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
35 l
CO2 Emissions
151 g/km
118 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3995 mm
3595 mm
Width
1775 mm
1595 mm
Height
1505 mm
1495 mm
Wheelbase
2580 mm
2400 mm
Ground Clearance
170 mm
151 mm
Kerb Weight
998 Kg
957 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
311 l
255-1010 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
800 Kg
—
Load Capacity
522 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
2
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
—
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 7 drivetrain
5
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 drivetrain Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
4
2
Service Plan Distance
60000
30000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
i20
Fuel Economy
Picanto
Value
Picanto
Practicality
i20
Pros & Cons
Hyundai i20
More powerful engine (73 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (6.9 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Kia Picanto
Better fuel economy (5.1 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R260 995)
Less power than rival (49 kW vs 73 kW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i20 or Picanto?
The i20 uses 6.9 l/100km and the Picanto uses 5.1 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Picanto 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 73 kW and 133 Nm of torque while the Picanto delivers 49 kW and 95 Nm of torque. The i20 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the i20 and Picanto?
The i20 starts from R349 900 and the Picanto from R260 995. The Picanto is cheaper by R88 905 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 800 Kg 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.