Kia Picanto v Toyota Yaris 2019 Comparison

The Toyota Yaris and Kia Picanto are well respected light cars. Priced here at $16,920 (plus on-road costs) for the Yaris Ascent and $17,290 (plus ORCs) for the Picanto AO Edition they’re cheap and cheerful hatchbacks that exist to bring new, usually younger customers to their respective brands – and hopefully keep them on as faithful buyers for life.

Based on 2018 Kia Picanto, but with a little more kit, the special edition Picanto AO Edition adds goodies such as raised suspension and a body kit adding 'SUV attitude', Kia says. Truth is Kia’s micro car could probably fit in the back of some large SUVs ... the sales leader in its micro car segment; the Picanto is taking on the slightly bigger but similarly priced light car, the Toyota Yaris.

The Yaris Ascent is the entry-level example of Toyota’s smallest vehicle in Australia. Higher spec Yaris SX and ZR variants are available for a price. It’s a strong seller in its light car segment, and competes against the likes of the Mazda2 and Hyundai Accent, to name a few.

Divided by just a few hundred dollars, and best suited to city-car duties, the Toyota Yaris and Kia Picanto will likely be cross-shopped by buyers on a budget who are not in the market for drama and dynamism, but reliability and affordability above all else.

Despite their many on-paper similarities, in the metal our rivals could not be more different. The Yaris brings a reputation for reliability, while the Kia Picanto AO Edition has a punchy personality; but also a significant seven-year warranty, which should (in theory) improve longevity and reduce running costs.

In an era where budget cars now boast decent equipment lists, modern safety inclusions and genuine bang-for-your-buck, we’re keen to see which of these two does it better. Both cars are powered by small, efficient four-cylinder petrol engines hooked up to automatic transmissions. They're unintimidating and easy to drive.

Both have five doors (we count the boot as a door) and five seats, although fitting five adults in either of these car may prove challenging.

Small capacity engines, four-speed automatic transmissions and small proportions see the Toyota Yaris and Kia Picanto best suited to drivers with an urban lifestyle and zero carpool responsibilities. Affordable and reliable, they’re ideal for first car buyers on a budget.

The Picanto AO Edition brings a bit of youthful razzle-dazzle that lends itself to younger buyers looking for a bit of personality, while the Yaris says look away, I’m conservative.

The Yaris definitely gets you more real estate, making this the more versatile of the two, its second-row leg room and more usable boot space are a key differentiator. You could probably manage a camping trip or weekend getaway with two people in the Yaris but the Picanto might require some clever packing to get that last tent pole in.

The Picanto has a bag hook in the boot, the Yaris has none, but it does have a split-deck boot floor with a hidden cavity to secret things away.

The prices for these models are pretty close, the Yaris priced at $16,920 the Picanto costing $17,290

The Kia Picanto comes standard with six airbags covering front and rear passengers and autonomous emergency braking, or AEB. While the Yaris gets an extra airbag – for the driver's knees – you have to pay an extra $650 to get AEB. We'd definitely recommend ticking the box the Yaris' safety pack (which also adds lane departure warning, forward collision warning and high-beam auto dipping) but the extra premium stings a little.

Despite coming standard with AEB, the Picanto only gets a four-star ANCAP safety rating, while the Yaris gets five. Both were tested in 2017.

Both vehicles come with a range of standard features, including Bluetooth audio streaming and phone connectivity, reversing cameras, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, one USB port, one auxiliary input, and one 12-volt power outlet.

The Yaris has a CD player but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which could be a deal breaker for some buyers. Another big difference between the two is the interior ambience. The interior design of the Yaris has about as much character as an inanimate carbon rod, while the Picanto has a lot more attitude by comparison.

The Kia Picanto has overt red stitching, the gear-shifter and steering wheel look cool, and have a higher quality feel. It has a central arm rest with concealed storage and adjustable cup holders. The Yaris gets none of this, trading instead on its reliability and low running costs.

The Toyota Yaris' strong points are its extra spaciousness throughout, better seat comfort and expected lower lifetime running costs. It's a more conservative choice but if you don't care about looks it'll serve well.

The Kia Picanto has a more advanced infotainment system compatible with Apple and Android enabled smartphones, it has a modern aesthetic inside and out and longer warranty and 12-month, 15,000km service intervals where the Toyota has six-month 10,000km service periods.

Fuel economy was roughly the same on test 6.1 for the Kia and 6.2L/100km for the Toyota.

The Toyota needs a better infotainment system – it's about as modern as a gramophone and the six-month service intervals are harsh. Although it will be cheaper to service overall, with the first four services costing $140, your car will be off the road twice a year opposed to once for the Kia.

Thankfully Toyota has now switched to a healthier five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The Kia's safety credentials need work. It scored poorly for child occupant protection in the back seat which results in a four-star ANCAP safety rating. This can sometimes be the difference between a sale won or lost.

Overall, the Kia Picanto wins – by a cat's whisker. Both are easy and economical to drive and own and although the Toyota has slightly more space, better perceived reliability and potential resale value, the more stylish Kia is simply more enticing to drive.

The Kia Picanto looks and feels more sophisticated and every time you hop into its stylish cabin you feel a bit special. Hopping into the Yaris makes you feel numb.

The Toyota's lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a significant oversight too and unless you plan of regularly carrying passengers and large loads, the Picanto is the better pick.

How much does the 2019 Kia Picanto AO Edition cost?
Price: $17,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.25-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 62kW/122Nm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 134g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star ANCAP (2017)

How much does the Toyota Yaris Ascent cost?
Price: $16,920 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 63kW/120Nm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 147g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)