@ Kia Corporation
@ Toyota Motor Corporation
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Kia Picanto vs Toyota Yaris – Which car suits you better?

Everyday use, family trips or long-distance drives – here’s where the differences show.
Discover whether Kia Picanto or Toyota Yaris fits your lifestyle better.

Picanto @ Kia Corporation

When it comes to compact cars, the Kia Picanto and Toyota Yaris are two strong contenders. Each offers a unique blend of features, performance, and innovation tailored to modern drivers. In this article, we will delve into the technical aspects and innovative qualities of these two hatchbacks to help potential buyers make an informed choice.

Yaris @ Toyota Motor Corporation

The Body and Dimensions

Both vehicles feature a hatchback design, ideal for urban driving while providing versatility for everyday tasks. The Kia Picanto measures 3605 mm in length, 1595 mm in width, and 1485 mm in height, making it compact yet sufficiently spacious for a comfortable ride. In contrast, the Toyota Yaris is slightly larger, with dimensions of 3940 mm in length, 1745 mm in width, and 1500 mm in height. This extra size not only offers additional cabin space but also contributes to its road presence.

Picanto @ Kia Corporation

Powertrains and Performance

The Picanto is available with two petrol engine options: a 1.0L engine providing 63 HP and a 1.2L engine delivering 79 HP. It features a front-wheel-drive layout with a choice of either a manual or automatic transmission. Performance-wise, the Kia Picanto takes 15.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h with the lower-spec engine, while the 1.2L variant improves this to 13.1 seconds. Its top speed covers up to 159 km/h.

On the other hand, the Toyota Yaris shines with its hybrid options alongside traditional petrol engines. The hybrid version boasts a combined output of up to 116 HP from its 1.5L inline three-cylinder engine. The Yaris can sprint from 0-100 km/h in a brisk 9.7 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 175 km/h. Additionally, the Yaris offers an all-wheel-drive option, appealing to those in regions with diverse driving conditions.

Yaris @ Toyota Motor Corporation

Fuel Efficiency and Emissions

Fuel efficiency is a crucial aspect for many compact car buyers. The Picanto delivers commendable fuel consumption figures, ranging from 5.2 to 5.7 L/100 km, depending on the engine variant. The car's CO2 emissions range from 118 to 130 g/km, placing it in a CO2 efficiency class of D.

In contrast, the Toyota Yaris excels in this arena, especially in its full hybrid version, which can achieve fuel consumption as low as 3.8 L/100 km. CO2 emissions for the Yaris span from 87 g/km to 215 g/km, placing it in classes B to G, making it a more eco-friendly choice compared to the Picanto.

Picanto @ Kia Corporation

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the Kia Picanto provides seating for up to five occupants, featuring a well-organized dashboard and ample cargo space of 255 liters. While it may not boast premium materials, the Picanto is designed to be practical and user-friendly.

The Toyota Yaris accommodates five passengers as well but offers a more refined interior with better-quality materials and advanced technology. Its trunk space is slightly larger at 286 liters, making it more suitable for those needing extra luggage capacity. Additionally, the Yaris is equipped with a host of innovative features, including a comprehensive infotainment system and driver assistance technologies that enhance the driving experience.

Safety Features

Safety is paramount in today’s automotive landscape. The Kia Picanto is equipped with essential safety features, including multiple airbags, ABS, and stability control. However, it may lack some of the advanced assistance systems found in newer models.

In contrast, the Toyota Yaris boasts a more robust safety suite, incorporating Toyota’s Safety Sense technology, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and automatic emergency braking. This adds an extra layer of assurance for drivers and passengers alike.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between the Kia Picanto and Toyota Yaris hinges on individual preferences and priorities. The Picanto serves as a compact, stylish urban vehicle with decent performance and efficiency, ideal for budget-minded consumers. Meanwhile, the Yaris elevates the driving experience with its hybrid options, superior fuel efficiency, innovative features, and robust safety systems. Both vehicles have their strengths, and a test drive will likely be the best way for buyers to determine which suits them better. Whether opting for the practicality of the Picanto or the innovation of the Yaris, both cars present strong options in the competitive hatchback market.

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

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.

Kia Picanto has a significantly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 15300 £, while the Toyota Yaris costs 21900 £. That’s a price difference of around 6557 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Toyota Yaris manages with 3.80 L and is therefore convincingly more efficient than the Kia Picanto with 5.60 L. The difference is about 1.80 L per 100 km.

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Toyota Yaris has a clearly edge – offering 280 HP compared to 68 HP. That’s roughly 212 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Toyota Yaris is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 5.50 s, while the Kia Picanto takes 14.60 s. That’s about 9.10 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Toyota Yaris performs noticeable better – reaching 230 km/h, while the Kia Picanto tops out at 162 km/h. The difference is around 68 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Toyota Yaris pulls significantly stronger with 390 Nm compared to 96 Nm. That’s about 294 Nm difference.

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, Toyota Yaris is hardly perceptible lighter – 1090 kg compared to 1124 kg. The difference is around 34 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Toyota Yaris offers slightly more room – 286 L compared to 255 L. That’s a difference of about 31 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Kia Picanto performs minimal better – up to 1010 L, which is about 75 L more than the Toyota Yaris.

When it comes to payload, Toyota Yaris clearly perceptible takes the win – 525 kg compared to 332 kg. That’s a difference of about 193 kg.

Who wins the race?

The Toyota Yaris proves to be is largely superior and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Toyota Yaris is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £21,900
Yaris @ Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Yaris

  • Engine Type : Full Hybrid, Petrol
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 280 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 3.8 - 9.5 L

Kia Picanto

5 (1)
rate

The Kia Picanto is a compact city car that combines practicality with a stylish design, making it an appealing option for urban drivers. Its cleverly designed interior maximises space, providing ample room for passengers and luggage despite its small footprint. With its efficient fuel consumption and easy manoeuvrability, the Picanto is well-suited for navigating through bustling city streets.

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Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris is a sprightly city hatch that packs clever packaging, surprising comfort and fuel-sipping manners into a neat, easy-to-park package. It rewards sensible buyers with low running costs, friendly ergonomics and a forgiving drive, delivered with Japanese reliability and just enough personality to make errands feel a little less ordinary.

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Kia Picanto
Toyota Yaris
Picanto @ Kia Corporation
Yaris @ Toyota Motor Corporation

Costs and Consumption

Price
15300 - 19300 £
Price
21900 - 46700 £
Consumption L/100km
5.6 - 5.9 L
Consumption L/100km
3.8 - 9.5 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
127 - 135 g/km
co2
87 - 215 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
35 L
Fuel tank capacity
36 - 50 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
4 - 5
Seats
4 - 5
Doors
5
Doors
3 - 5
Curb weight
1124 - 1131 kg
Curb weight
1090 - 1356 kg
Trunk capacity
255 L
Trunk capacity
141 - 286 L
Length
3605 mm
Length
3940 - 3995 mm
Width
1595 mm
Width
1745 - 1805 mm
Height
1485 mm
Height
1455 - 1500 mm
Max trunk capacity
1010 L
Max trunk capacity
935 L
Payload
253 - 332 kg
Payload
289 - 525 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Petrol
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automated Manual
Transmission Detail
CVT, Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
68 HP
Power HP
116 - 280 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
14.6 - 17.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.5 - 9.7 s
Max Speed
160 - 162 km/h
Max Speed
175 - 230 km/h
Torque
96 Nm
Torque
390 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
50 kW
Power kW
85 - 206 kW
Engine capacity
998 cm3
Engine capacity
1490 - 1618 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, G
Brand
Kia
Brand
Toyota
What drive types are available for the Kia Picanto?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.