Kia Picanto v Fiat 500

The Kia Picanto and Fiat 500 are very similar. So are there any differences making one better than the other?

Buyers of small cars are highly concerned about costs and fuel consumption. There’s little overall difference in the fuel economy of a Picanto and 500 but the Picanto is significantly cheaper to buy at the entry level. Does it make the Picanto a winner? You do get 5-doors for your money.

The Fiat may be more money to buy but it is an attractive package. Some shoppers when they see a product as smartly packaged and more expensive think they are indicators it’s better. Does this make the 500 the better car?

You can find the car comparison over on carbuyersinfo where I simply present the data for viewers to come to their own conclusions. Which small car is best? Here’s how I’d summarize it.

• The Fiat 500 range of prices is over £1,500 more than the Kia Picanto range.
• There’s no significant difference in their fuel consumption. They rank so closely there could be no difference in real conditions on the road, especially as the combine mpg figure is a calculation from two lab’ test figures.
• The two cars are virtually the same size with the Picanto having only a tiny bit more space in the boot.
• The two have similar performance figures and although the 500 has slightly quicker models on paper it won’t mean anything on the road.
• The Fiat 500 has a Euro NCAP 5-star rating. The Picanto has recently been awarded 4-stars.

You can see the 5-door Picanto is cheaper to buy than the 3-door 500 whilst there being no real difference in size, fuel economy or performance. At this stage we can’t say the 500 is a better car.

However if a car fits your purpose and purse the next most important consideration is car safety. The difference between a 4 and 5-star rating is side protection. I’m not going to scare you with the stats but it is very important. The reason ESP/ESC is becoming standard on all cars this year is to help prevent skidding and the dangers of a side impact.

The Picanto is the only new car recently rated by Euro NCAP not to have been awarded 5-stars. Manufacturers know about future standards years in advance and comply at their discretion.

If you want to put a price on safety refer to car insurance compensation for personal injuries. I hear it’s at least £1,000 for supposed back-lash.

Now we’ve looked at serious stuff let’s look at the silly side. This is not my opinion, only my observations over decades. Many small car buyers give their cars names. They dress them with trinkets. Some cry when they are separated at the point of part-exchange. I’ve seen people pray in gratitude on delivery. There’s a lot of love going on with some car owners and their little cars.

Somehow Fiat have packaged the 500 in a retro style and fitted a little jewelry inside - not too much – and buyers loved it, rushed to buy and are prepared to wait in line for delivery.

The 500 may cost more to buy than a Picanto but this is compensated for by its safety rating plus it seems to appeal to buyers’ taste for things Italian.

The Picanto still remains cheaper to buy plus it has 5-doors with modern styling.

Regards
Ralph
Fiat 500 vs Kia Picanto carbuyersinfo.co.uk Car Comparison site differences and similarities revealed to help you find the best car to suit your purpose and purse

Kia Picanto vs Hyundai i10

Comparing the Picanto with the i10 is a popular little car comparison for the same reason people compare the C1 with the 107 and Aygo, or the 500 with the Ka, or the larger Fiesta vs Mazda2, and Fabia vs Polo.

Car buyers know these groups of cars share the same platforms and want to see if there is a difference and an advantage in one over the other. There are differences in brand equity, style, and equipment levels. Normally size, space, engine efficiency and safety are all the same.

The differences in brand, style and equipment is countered by differences in prices so there is normally no advantage in one or the other. If there was only one model would sell.

By making cars appear different manufacturers can charge different prices. They also avoid over selling a model. For example if a person buys a Mazda2 and is asked why they didn’t buy a Fiesta the reply might be, ‘everyone’s got one.’

Clearly under the skin the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 are virtually if not the same car. As they cynically say in the trade, ‘same message different envelope.’ Their style is very different. The Picanto has changed from clean simple lines to bold style lines with some sort of Dan Dare chin at the front end. The i10 had a makeover earlier this year but remains familiar.

The trick – sorry difference –  is in standing of the brands and equipment levels with their different prices. Hyundai enjoyed a slightly higher standing in the market place with good equipment levels. Kias were cheaper but had longer warranties.

It seems Hyundai retain the higher equipment level at the lower end but Kia have higher levels at the top end and have leapfrogged Hyundai prices. They’ve done the same with the ix35 and Sportage. It’s a way of getting more money for basically the same car. VW do it. Vauxhall do it. They all do it because they need to profit in order survive.

The more you pay for a Kia or Hyundai the more you’ll value the brand. Think VW vs Skoda. These so called one percenter brands as they are known in the trade for their market penetration are on the rise backed by very high levels of customer satisfaction. And today their buyers can no longer be seen to have simply bought a cheap brand – THEY’E GOT THEIR HEAD SCREWED ON THE RIGHT WAY.

Some may stick their nose up if they drive an Audi, BMW or Merc but we know it’s not their car and they’re a salesman in a company car.

So the similarities are the Picanto and i10 are virtually the same size, with similar versatility. Engine efficiency is virtually the same. We’re waiting for Euro NCAP safety ratings.

The differences are branding, style, equipment and price. Style is a matter of personal taste and equipment a matter for your wish list. You decide what you’ll pay.

So it’s a decision for the heart, not the head. Either way they’re great little city cars and you won’t be disappointed if a tiny car is what you are looking for.

I’m sorry there are no shocking significant differences to your advantage but that’s the way it goes. If it were me I’d buy the best deal.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk car comparisons to help you find the car to suit your lifestyle and budget