Toyota GR86 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.

Toyota GR86 in South Africa

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 173 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 10.9 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

Toyota GR86 vs KIA Picanto: the short answer

GR86 and Picanto are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Picanto starts ZAR 512,905 cheaper GR86 from ZAR 749,900 · Picanto from ZAR 236,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification GR86 Picanto
Maximum Power GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm Picanto61 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm Picanto121 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size GR862387 cc Picanto1248 cc
Combined Fuel Economy GR8610.9 km/l Picanto15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance GR86130 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.

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic

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

GR86

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: Published Performance

Picanto

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

GR86

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Picanto

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec GR86 Picanto
360 Degree Camera Not Available No
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Yes
Around View Monitor Not Available No
Autonomous Emergency Braking Not Available Yes
Auto Lights Standard Yes
Auto Wipers Standard Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring Not Available Yes
Blind Spot Warning Not Available Yes
Cruise Control Standard Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available Yes
Emergency Braking Not Available Yes
EV Mode Not Available Not Applicable — Petrol Engine
Lane Departure Warning Not Available Yes
Lane Keep Assist Not Available Yes
Parking Distance Sensors Rear Yes
Parking Sensor Rear Yes
Parking Sensors Rear Yes
Pre-Collision System Not Available Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers Standard Yes
Rear View Camera Standard Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Not Available Yes
Rear View Camera Standard Yes
Reverse Camera Standard Yes
Reverse Camera Type Standard Yes
Reversing Camera Standard Yes
Surround View Camera Not Available No
Traffic Sign Recognition Not Available No
Rear Parking Sensors Rear Yes
Auto Highbeam Not Available No
Park Assist Not Available No
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Not Available
Eco Mode - Yes
Sport Mode - No
Front Camera - No
Automatic High Beam - No
Spec GR86 Picanto
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Not Applicable
Axle Layout RWD FWD
Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Differential Type Front Not Available Not Available
Differential Type Rear Not Available Not Available
Drivetrain RWD FWD — Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain Layout Rear Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Engine Position Front Longitudinal Transverse Front-Mounted
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Number of Gears 4 4
Gear Shift Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Floor-Mounted Selector
Gearbox 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters 4-Speed Automatic
Gearbox Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters 4-Speed Automatic
LSD Available Torsen LSD Not Applicable
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Standard Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard Not Available Not Available
Transmission Speeds 4 4
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable 4.058:1
Clutch Type Not Applicable Torque Converter Automatic
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Yes
Steering Turns Lock to Lock - 2.8

In depth: how these cars differ

This GR86 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: GR86 67 vs Picanto 28.

Efficiency index: GR86 45 vs Picanto 61.

Safety-equipment index: GR86 96 vs Picanto 89.

Practicality index: GR86 46 vs Picanto 53.

Ownership-cover index: GR86 43 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

GR86 leads by 1 points

GR86 and Picanto are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 87% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

GR86

87% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Leads by 1 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 GR86 +39 Efficiency Picanto +16 Safety GR86 +7 Practicality Picanto +7 Ownership Picanto +34

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

GR86

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 46/100
Ownership 43/100

Picanto

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota GR86 leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 60 pts for Picanto

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GR86 leads. However, Picanto may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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GR86 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.