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Dacia Spring vs Kia Picanto comparison

Compare performance (100 HP vs 68 HP), boot space and price (14,500 £ vs 15,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Dacia Spring or Kia Picanto?

Dacia Spring vs Kia Picanto: Key differences

Dacia Spring

4.7 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly lighter
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Kia Picanto

4.7 (5 Reviews)
rate
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Spring

Introduction: Choosing Between Electric and Petrol

In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, the Dacia Spring and Kia Picanto present unique choices for buyers looking for compact, budget-friendly vehicles. While one leans toward electric innovation, the other embodies traditional petrol efficiency. In this comparison, we delve into their technical specifications, innovations, and practical considerations to help prospective car buyers make an informed decision.

Picanto

Design and Dimensions

The Dacia Spring is styled as a compact SUV, promoting an adventurous spirit with its elevated stance. It measures 3701 mm in length, 1583 mm in width, and 1519 mm in height, delivering a modern and robust appearance. With a trunk capacity of 308 liters, it offers practicality for everyday needs.

On the other hand, the Kia Picanto comes in as a sporty hatchback, measuring 3605 mm in length, 1595 mm in width, and 1485 mm in height. Despite its slightly smaller trunk capacity of 255 liters, the Picanto carries a youthful appeal and vibrant design suitable for urban environments.

Spring

Power and Performance

When it comes to powertrains, the Dacia Spring is a 100% electric vehicle, providing 44 to 65 HP through a front-wheel drive setup. It features an automatic transmission powered by a reduction gearbox, enabling a smooth ride. The Spring boasts a battery capacity of 26.8 kWh, offering an impressive range of up to 228 km, making it well-suited for city commuting.

In contrast, the Kia Picanto offers a choice between manual and automatic transmissions and features either a 1.0L or 1.2L petrol engine, providing power outputs ranging from 63 to 79 HP. Its fuel consumption stands between 5.2 and 5.7 L/100 km, depending on the variant, presenting an excellent option for long drives without the need for frequent refueling.

Picanto

Acceleration and Top Speed

The Dacia Spring's acceleration time of 0-100 km/h spans between 13.7 and 19.1 seconds, depending on the configuration. Its top speed is limited to 125 km/h, which aligns with its purpose as an urban mobility vehicle.

Contrasting this, the Kia Picanto excels in performance with a better acceleration range from 13.1 to 18.2 seconds. The Picanto's maximum speed options go up to 159 km/h, making it a more thrilling choice for those who enjoy a spirited drive on various terrains.

Spring

Efficiency and Environmental Impact

In terms of environmental impact, the Dacia Spring shines with a CO2 efficiency class rating of A, emitting zero grams of CO2, which makes it an eco-friendly choice. Its energy consumption ranges from 13.2 to 14.1 kWh/100 km, reflecting its efficient electric powertrain.

The Kia Picanto, categorized under CO2 efficiency class D, produces between 118 to 130 g/km of CO2 depending on the engine choice. While it remains efficient within its class, it does fall short concerning environmental impact when compared to the Dacia Spring.

Picanto

Interior and Comfort

Both vehicles seat up to 4 or 5 passengers, with the Spring designed to accommodate 4 adults comfortably. The interior is functional, featuring a simplistic layout focused on utility, fitting its budget-friendly ethos.

The Kia Picanto, however, aims for a more vibrant interior, with a greater emphasis on technology and comfort. Equipped with modern infotainment options, it caters well to the younger demographic. The overall ride quality in the Picanto is generally regarded as superior thanks to better seating configuration and materials.

Conclusion: Which One to Choose?

Ultimately, the choice between the Dacia Spring and Kia Picanto hinges on personal preferences and priorities. If you're looking for a compact SUV with a fully electric powertrain and lower running costs, the Dacia Spring is an excellent choice, especially for city dwellers concerned about emissions. Conversely, if you prefer a fun-to-drive petrol hatchback with flexibility in driving experience and better performance, the Kia Picanto stands out as a practical option. Both models have their merits, making them worthy contenders in the competitive compact car market.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Spring

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Dacia Spring is very slightly cheaper – starting at 14,500 £ , while the Kia Picanto costs 15,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 815 £.

Picanto

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Dacia Spring offers visibly more power – delivering 100 HP compared to 68 HP. That’s roughly 32 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Dacia Spring is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 9.6 s, while the Kia Picanto takes 14.6 s. That’s about 5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Dacia Spring delivers clearly more torque with 137 Nm compared to 96 Nm. That’s about 41 Nm more.

Spring

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Kia Picanto offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, Dacia Spring is very slightly lighter – 1,070 kg compared to 1,124 kg. The difference is around 54 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Kia Picanto carries slightly more – 332 kg compared to 274 kg. That’s a difference of about 58 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Dacia Spring stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £14,500
Spring

Dacia Spring

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 70 - 100 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 12.4 - 12.7 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 221 - 225 km
Dacia Spring
Kia Picanto

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Dacia Spring

The Dacia Spring is an unpretentious city electric that strips EV ownership down to the essentials, offering clean, fuss-free transport for daily urban life. It won't impress luxury-seekers, but its cheerful practicality and rock-bottom running costs make it a clever, no-nonsense choice for anyone who wants electric mobility without the drama.

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Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto is a cheeky city hatch that squeezes surprising style, practicality and a smile-inducing drive into a pocket-friendly package. It’s ideal for urban buyers who want fuss-free running, effortless parking and a car that punches above its class without pretending to be anything it’s not.

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Dacia Spring
Kia Picanto

Costs and Consumption

Price
14,500 - 16,900 £
Price
15,300 - 19,300 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
5.5 - 5.9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
12.4 - 12.7 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
221 - 225 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
126 - 134 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4
Seats
4 - 5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,070 kg
Curb weight
1,124 - 1,131 kg
Trunk capacity
308 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,583 mm
Width
1,595 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
274 kg
Payload
253 - 332 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automated Manual
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
70 - 100 HP
Power HP
68 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.6 - 12.3 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
14.6 - 17.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
137 Nm
Torque
96 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
52 - 75 kW
Power kW
50 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
998 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D
Brand
Dacia
Brand
Kia
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.