Holden Spark v Kia Picanto v Mitsubishi Mirage v Suzuki Celerio 2017 Comparison

Tiny tot tête-à-tête
For first-time new car buyers, the ultra-competitive micro car segment is a great place to shop, offering plenty of choice and lots of new arrivals.

Since we last compared candidates at the smallest end of the new-car market the Kia Picanto has arrived on the scene, the Holden Spark has replaced the Barina Spark, and at Suzuki, the Alto has been ousted in favour of the Celerio.

Mitsubishi’s bargain basement Mirage is largely unchanged, save for a notable price cut.

Given all this micro car movement we figured it was again time to look at the these tiny tots to determine where the best value lies.

Why are we comparing them?
The four cars on test sit at the entry end of their respective manufacturer’s line-up, which makes them ideal for first-time new car buyers. They’re also nearly identical in terms of size, packaging – each is a five-door hatch – and performance with only slight variances for equipment, safety and after-sales considerations.

Being so similar, we decided it was prudent to take a closer look at the pint-size hatches, analysing which offers the best value for money and to see which appeals best to their target demographic (first time new car buyers can be fickle).

We say fickle because the numbers show a marked difference in Micro Car uptake. Holden sold just 213 Sparks to the end of February 2017 whereas Kia sold 572 Picantos and Mitsubishi 523 Mirages. Possibly a consequence of its four-star ANCAP safety rating - parents buying these cars for children look closely at safety - the Suzuki Celerio sold just 32 examples (the others have the maximum five-star rating).

Fiat sold 139 examples of its diminutive 500, but as this model is offered only as a less practical three-door, we decided not to test it here.

Who will they appeal to?
As well as being the ideal run-about or second car, the cars on test are perfect for younger buyers on a budget. Offering the perks that only a new car can – a manufacturer’s warranty, the latest safety and infotainment technology, reliability and that all-important new car smell – the micro car is an ideal option for those just starting-out.

With that in mind, we’ve enlisted two such candidates: 25-year old Ebony Polley and 27-year old David Toscano. Both Ebony and David are newer drivers with steadfast ideals on what their first new car should deliver.

“I’m looking for something tech-savvy, affordable and something that’s nice and easy to drive and park,” Ebony revealed.

“I’m after a micro car that’s an engaging drive, that’s a good ownership prospect over five to 10 years, and also has strong safety credentials,” David explained.

How much do they cost?
The cheapest entrant here, the Thai-built Mitsubishi Mirage, asks just $12,250 for the manual ES variant; climbing to $15,250 for the top spec LS. On test is the CVT-equipped ES at $14,250. It comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty and has 12-month/15,000km service intervals. Metallic paint costs $590 extra.

Next up is the Suzuki Celerio. Offered in a single, unnamed grade, the Celerio – which is also built in Thailand – arrives with a choice of manual or CVT transmissions at $12,990 and $13,990 apiece. Warranty is a three-year/100,000km deal and service intervals are set at six months/10,000km. If you don’t want white paint, add $500 to the asking price.

Holden’s Korean-made Spark (nee Barina Spark) is third in line on the price front. Beginning at $13,990 for the manual LS, the range tops out at $18,990 for the CVT-equipped LT. An LS variant with CVT is also available. Holden offers the Spark with a three-year/100,000km warranty and nine-month/15,000km service intervals and asks $550 for metallic paint.

Finally there is the dearest starter here, the Kia Picanto. Offered solely in Si grade, the Korean-built Picanto includes a four-speed automatic as standard fare (an all-new Picanto range will arrive soon). Picanto is priced at $14,990 and Kia’s generous seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is included. The Picanto’s service intervals match the Mirage at 12 months/15,000km. Kia charge $520 more for metallic paint.

Related reading:
Holden Spark Review
Suzuki Celerio Review
Mitsubishi Mirage
Kia Picanto Review

What do I get for my money?
Amongst its equipment highlights, Holden’s Spark range includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, cruise control, and touchscreen audio. Comparable to its rivals, the entry-grade LS model runs 14-inch steel wheels, while the up-spec LT (pictured) adds 15-inch alloys. The Spark has the smallest cargo area of the four cars on test at 185 litres.

The Kia Picanto offers a no-frills audio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, rear fog lights, a trip computer, and cloth upholstery. The model arrives sitting on 14-inch steel wheels with plastic covers (as is customary in this segment). The Picanto offers just a bit more cargo space than the Spark at 200 litres.

For the aging Mitsubishi Mirage we again find a basic audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, cloth upholstery, and rudimentary trip computer as standard fare. The Mirage rides on 14-inch steel wheels and provides 235 litres of cargo space, the second-best on test.

Finally, Suzuki’s Celerio brings much the same level of equipment as the Mirage. Like its contemporaries, Celerio features 14-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, but edges ahead on cargo space with a class-leading 254 litres.

How do they drive?
The specification box at the bottom of the page will give you the run-down on what’s under the bonnet so let’s consider what each car delivers behind the wheel.

From the Spark we find light steering and a firm ride. The handling might be decent as a result, but with all-too-sharp and light steering ultimately masking road feel – and a ride that’s far from comfortable – we’re not sure too many people will be pleased with the compromise. On the plus side, the engine is refined and perky, and the CVT transmission is  cooperative.

Kia’s Picanto matches the Spark’s handling but without the firm ride. Steering is both well weighted and provides response more akin to the segment’s best, while the engine and four-speed automatic transmission combination manages around-town and freeway duties very well. A shame then the engine can sound a little rattly.

It’s about here we encounter a split in proceedings as there’s a marked step down in dynamics and performance to both the Mitsubishi Mirage and Suzuki Celerio. Our judges claim the Celerio feels slow and under-powered when ranked against the two Korean-built cars, but praise its steering feel once on the move. At least the ride is comfortable.

Ride comfort brings the Mirage undone. The Mitsubishi crashes over lumps and bumps and the steering feels disconnected from proceedings. Noise, vibration and harshness isolation also rank as the poorest here and rattles from the test car’s dashboard are distracting to say the least.

Which wins, and why?
From the motoring.com.au team it’s the Kia Picanto that gets the nod. Its combination of intelligent packaging, generous after-sale provisions, and resolved on-road feel make it an ideal option for first-car buyers.

But what of our young helpers, Ebony and David? For them the choice was not quite so clear-cut.

“The value for money proposition from Kia is really strong,” said David. “I’d definitely recommend it for myself and my family.”

“Definitely,” agreed Ebony. “The seven-year warranty is something that really gives you confidence in the product. In saying that, though, the Spark with the extra benefits of GPS and Apple CarPlay gives you extra value for that bit of extra money.”

“There is a new-generation Picanto coming out this year, and that would also affect my purchase decision – if the pricing remains the same,” added David. “But yes, the newness, and the build quality of the Spark, stands out amongst this quartet.”

It seems Kia has a little work ahead of it in matching the technology offered by Holden’s Spark. However, the drive experience and the warranty provisions offered in the Picanto are appealing to first-time buyers. We await the new model with anticipation.

2017 Holden Spark pricing and specifications:
Price: from $13,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 73kW/128Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 5.5L/100km (ADR Combined) / 6.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 128g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
Read more: Holden Spark

2017 Kia Picanto pricing and specifications:
Price: from $14,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 63kW/120Nm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.3L/100km (ADR Combined) / 6.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 125g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
Read more: Kia Picanto

2017 Mitsubishi Mirage pricing and specifications:
Price: from $12,250 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol
Output: 57kW/100Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 4.7L/100km (ADR Combined) / 6.6L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 109g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
Read more: Mitsubishi Mirage

2017 Suzuki Celerio pricing and specifications:
Price: from $12,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol
Output: 50kW/90Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 4.8L/100km (ADR Combined) / 5.3L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 112g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star ANCAP
Read more: Suzuki Celerio