Affordable hatchbacks do well with consumers, not just because of their price points but also their economic efficiency and agility. And two competitors who are renowned brands with consumers in the hatchback market are the Hyundai i10 and the Kia Picanto for sale.

Here’s a quick, comprehensive comparison of both to help you make an informed decision when car shopping.

The Hyundai i10

The i10 has been a reliable model with South Africans since its introduction to the market in 2014. It’s a compact hatchback with innovative updates over the years with each generation.

The Hyundai i10 Range

The current Hyundai i10 range includes both manual and automatic transmission options. The base price of a new model starts at R204 900 and goes up to R279 900, depending on one’s purchase and desired extras.

Hyundai i10 1.0 Motion MT
Hyundai 1.0 Motion AT
Hyundai 1.2 Fluid MT
Hyundai 1.2 Fluid AT
How Does The Hyundai i10 Perform?

The Hyundai i10 performs reasonably well even as a small hatchback. The 1.0 Motion MT has a top speed of 155km/h, and the automatic variation does 146km/h. The affordability of the Hyundai i10 extends to its fuel economy as well because it has an impressive rate of 5.4l/100km on the manual variants and 5.9l/100km on the automatics in the 1.0-litre options. On the 1.2-litre models, the manual is at 5.9l/100km, and the automatic sits at around 6.9l//100km.

What Does The Hyundai i10 Offer Consumers?

Space is limited, but this is expected in a hatchback of this size. The current new model i10 gives consumers 256 litres and a further 1202 litres when seats are folded in the rear.

The Grand i10 is fitted with 2 airbags for the driver and front occupant. There is also ABS (Anti-locking Braking System). Unfortunately, the i10 does not have ISOFIX child seat fixtures, which can affect your decision if you have small children to consider.

Most hatchbacks these days focus on the driver’s and passenger's comfort and the Hyundai i10 is no different. The infotainment centre is equipped with Bluetooth capabilities and an additional navigation card feature is on offer. Drivers will find the keyless entry and foldable wing mirrors rather useful. Standard features include air conditioning, electric heating, central locking, and steering wheel remote controls for audio functions.

The Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is another starter car for consumers to consider when weighing up their options. It may be a smaller hatchback, but it has some serious selling points, such as increased cabin space and dynamic features to rival every other hatch on the market.

The Kia Picanto Range

The vast range has a variant for almost everyone, ranging in both manual and automatic transmission.

Kia Picanto 1.0 Start Manual
Kia Picanto 1.0 Start Automatic
Kia Picanto 1.0 Street Manual
Kia Picanto 1.0 Street Automatic
Kia Picanto 1.2 Street Manual
Kia Picanto 1.2 Street Automatic
Kia Picanto 1.0 Style Manual
Kia Picanto 1.0 Style Automatic
Kia Picanto 1.2 Style Manual
Kia Picanto 1.2 Style Automatic
Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line Manual
Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line Automatic
The cheapest Kia Picanto starts at a base price of R198 995 and goes up to R262 995.

How Does the Kia Picanto Perform?

The Kia Picanto holds about the same power as its counterpart, the Hyundai i10. The average fuel economy in the range is 5.8L/100km, which is useful today with high fuel prices. The two engines boast variants with automated and manual gearboxes. However, it is important to remember that the Picanto is not as nifty as the Hyundai i10. It is much slower, with top speeds reaching 107km at most.

What Does The Kia Picanto Offer Consumers?

Space is designed for comfort and ease, with a functional tray placed in the central dashboard to keep items within reach of the driver and front-seat passenger.

However, the Kia Picanto 1.0 Start does not offer consumers a 2 airbag option, with only the driver protected. However, this is the only variant, as all other ones offer 2 airbags as a standard safety feature. Unlike the Hyundai i10, it also offers consumers ISOFIX points across the range.

The 8-inch multimedia colour screen is more than an infotainment system. It features a rear-view parking camera to support the driver’s accuracy. The AUX and USB ports enable drivers and passengers to connect devices according to their preferences. There are also audio controls on the steering wheel for enhanced convenience.

The Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto for sale are both feasible, with their own strengths to consider. It all comes down to personal preference and budgetary constraints on your part.