Hyundai ALCAZAR vs KIA Picanto

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Hyundai ALCAZAR in South Africa

Hyundai ALCAZAR

1.5D Elite AT Diesel Current
ZAR 669,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
KIA Picanto in South Africa

KIA Picanto

1.2 EX+ Auto Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 325,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 61 kW 🔧 121 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai ALCAZAR vs KIA Picanto: the short answer

ALCAZAR and Picanto are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Picanto starts ZAR 262,905 cheaper ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900 · Picanto from ZAR 236,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ALCAZAR Picanto
Maximum Power ALCAZAR85 kW Picanto61 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque ALCAZAR250 Nm Picanto121 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size ALCAZAR1493 cc Picanto1248 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ALCAZAR16.9 km/l Picanto15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance ALCAZAR200 mm Picanto155 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Hyundai ALCAZAR

1.5D Elite AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

KIA Picanto

1.2 EX+ Auto

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

ALCAZAR

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Picanto

Strengths
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

ALCAZAR

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Picanto

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ALCAZAR Picanto
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2004
Generation Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Third generation (JA) since 2017; 2021 facelift model current in SA
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. 2011 second generation; 2017 third generation; 2021 facelift with updated front fascia and infotainment
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2021
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Seven-seat SUV Hatchback
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Chili Red, Horizon Blue, Perennial Grey, Sporty Blue (two-tone options available on EX+)
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment SUV Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 1445 kg 975 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Hatchback
Spec ALCAZAR Picanto
Length 4560 mm 3595 mm
Width 1800 mm 1595 mm
Height 1710 mm 1485 mm
Wheelbase 2760 mm 2400 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 151 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 35 l
Boot/Cargo Space 180 l 255 l
Kerb Weight 1445 kg 975 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2090 kg 1425 kg
Payload Capacity 645 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 0 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 4.8 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 970 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 935 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1040 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This ALCAZAR and Picanto comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: ALCAZAR 44 vs Picanto 28.

Efficiency index: ALCAZAR 68 vs Picanto 61.

Safety-equipment index: ALCAZAR 89 vs Picanto 89.

Practicality index: ALCAZAR 64 vs Picanto 53.

Ownership-cover index: ALCAZAR 65 vs Picanto 77.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

ALCAZAR leads by 6 points

ALCAZAR and Picanto are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 66 /100
Lead 6 points
Data 70% source coverage
66
#1 Evidence leader

ALCAZAR

70% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 89 Check Performance 44
Performance 44
Efficiency 68
Safety 89
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Leads by 6 points
60
#2

Picanto

92% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 89 Check Performance 28
Performance 28
Efficiency 61
Safety 89
Practicality 53
Ownership 77
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance ALCAZAR +16 Efficiency ALCAZAR +7 Safety Level Practicality ALCAZAR +11 Ownership Picanto +12

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ALCAZAR

Performance 44/100
Efficiency 68/100
Safety 89/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

Picanto

Performance 28/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 89/100
Practicality 53/100
Ownership 77/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai ALCAZAR leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts vs 60 pts for Picanto

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ALCAZAR leads. However, Picanto may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

ALCAZAR vs Picanto questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.