A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Grand i10 starts ZAR 236995 cheaperGrand i10 from ZAR 218,900 · Picanto from ZAR 236,995
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Engine Power
61 kW
61 kW
Torque
114 Nm
121 Nm
Engine Size
1197 cc
1248 cc
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
170 mm
155 mm
Boot / Load Bay
235 l
255 l
Airbags
6
6
Kerb Weight
975 kg
975 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Warranty
5
7 Years/150
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Both Grand i10 and Picanto are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Picanto
+1 pts
Efficiency
Grand i10
+5 pts
Safety
Picanto
+14 pts
Practicality
Grand i10
+2 pts
Ownership
Picanto
+6 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Grand i10
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Fuel EfficiencyFamily Usage
🏆 Overall Winner
Picanto
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Highway Driving
Which One's Right for You?
Grand i10
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Picanto
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Model Introduced Year
2014
2004
Generation
Second generation Grand i10 sold in SA with a 2023 facelift; based on the global third-gen i10 platform adapted for emerging markets
Third generation (JA) since 2017; 2021 facelift model current in SA
Facelift History
Second generation arrived in 2017; facelift with updated front styling and infotainment in 2023
2011 second generation; 2017 third generation; 2021 facelift with updated front fascia and infotainment
Facelift Launched Since
2023
2021
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Hatchback
Color Note
White, Silver, Red, Blue, Grey
Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Chili Red, Horizon Blue, Perennial Grey, Sporty Blue (two-tone options available on EX+)
Dealer Stock Note
Fluid grade in the South Africa lineup
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
published
Segment
Hatchback
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
Hatchback
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Ground Clearance
170 mm
155 mm
Wheelbase
2385 mm
2400 mm
Length
3665 mm
3595 mm
Width
1660 mm
1595 mm
Height
1520 mm
1485 mm
Kerb Weight
975 kg
975 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
1410 kg
1425 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Boot Space
235 l
255 l
Towing Capacity
-
0 kg
Front Track Width
-
1415 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1420 mm
Turning Radius
-
4.8 m
Load Bed Length
235 l
255 l
Load Bed Width
-
-
Front Legroom
-
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
-
880 mm
Front Headroom
-
970 mm
Rear Headroom
-
935 mm
Front Shoulder Room
-
1355 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1305 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded
235 l
1010 l
Number of Doors
5
5
Max Payload
-
450 kg
Boot Volume
235 l
255 l
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 l
35 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
1410 kg
1425 kg
Ground Clearance Max
170 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance Min
170 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
170 mm
155 mm
Height Mm
1520 mm
1485 mm
Length Mm
3665 mm
3595 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
235 l
255 l
Loadbox Width Mm
-
-
Payload Kg
-
450 kg
Cargo Volume
235 l
255 l
Tare Mass Kg
975 kg
975 kg
Turning Circle
-
4.8 m
Turning Circle M
-
4.8 m
Width Mm
1660 mm
1595 mm
Front Overhang
-
735 mm
Rear Overhang
-
460 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded
235 l
1010 l
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Engine
1.2 MPI DOHC
1.2L G4LA 4-Cylinder Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol
Inline 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated
Displacement
1197 cc
1248 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Valves per Cylinder
12
4
Power
61 kW
61 kW
Power @ RPM
6300
6,000 rpm
Torque
114 Nm
121 Nm
Torque @ RPM
4200
4,000 rpm
Fuel System
Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Turbocharger
No
-
Top Speed
171 km/h
163 km/h
0-100 km/h
12.8 sec
12.9 sec
Compression Ratio
-
11.0:1
Engine Position
Front
Transverse Front-Mounted
Cylinder Bore
-
71.0 mm
Piston Stroke
-
79.0 mm
Engine Code
-
G4LA
Power
82 bhp
82 bhp
Fuel Grade Required
Petrol
93 RON Unleaded Petrol
Cylinder Layout
-
Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
CVVT on Intake Camshaft
Engine Type Config
Inline
1.2L 4-Cylinder DOHC
0–100 km/h
12.8 sec
12.9 sec
Battery Capacity
-
-
Charging Port
-
-
AC Charging Time
-
-
Engine Displacement
1197 cc
1248 cc
Engine Displacement Litres
1197 cc
1248 cc
EV Range
-
0 km
Acceleration 0 100
12.8 sec
12.9 sec
Combined System Power
-
-
Combined System Torque
-
-
Engine Config
1.2 MPI DOHC
1.2L G4LA 4-Cylinder Petrol
Engine Cylinders
4
4
Engine Displacement Cc
1197 cc
1248 cc
Engine Power kW
61 kW
61 kW
Engine Torque Nm
114 Nm
121 Nm
Engine Valves
12
4
Induction
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Max Power kW
61 kW
61 kW
Max Torque Nm
114 Nm
121 Nm
Maximum Power
61 kW
61 kW
Maximum Torque
114 Nm
121 Nm
Motor Position
-
-
Motor Power
-
-
Motor Torque
-
-
Motor Type
-
-
Power Assisted Steering
MDPS Electric
Electric Power Steering
Power kW Rpm
6300
6,000 rpm
System Output
-
-
Torque Nm Rpm
4200
4,000 rpm
Turbo Type
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Maximum Engine RPM
-
6500 rpm
Engine Oil Capacity
-
3.8 l
Active Exhaust
-
-
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Transmission
Manual
Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD — Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available
No
-
Transfer Case
-
-
Differential Lock
No
-
Paddle Shifters
No
-
Final Drive Ratio
-
4.058:1
Number of Gears
5 km/h
4 km/h
Transmission Type
Manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
-
Torque Converter Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD — Front Wheel Drive
Transmission
Manual
Automatic
4WD Engagement
-
-
4WD Hi Range
-
-
4WD Lo Range
-
-
4WD Selector
-
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
-
Differential Type Front
-
-
Differential Type Rear
-
-
Front Differential Lock
-
-
Gearbox Type
Manual
Automatic
Low Range
-
-
Axle Layout
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD — Front Wheel Drive
Rear Differential Lock
-
-
Transfer Case Guard
-
-
Transmission Speeds
5 km/h
4 km/h
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
-
2.8
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
13.9 km/l
13.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.6 km/l
20.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
35 l
35 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
-
Auto Start Stop
No
No
Average Fuel Consumption
5.9 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
5.9 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Distance To Empty
Yes
Yes
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
Yes
Fuel Efficiency
5.9 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
16.9 km/l
15.9 km/l
AC Charging Power
-
-
Charging Port Type
-
-
Charging Time AC Full
-
-
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
-
-
Charging Type
-
-
Combined Consumption
5.9 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
5.9 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
DC Charging Power
-
-
Fuel Economy Combined
5.9 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
35 l
35 l
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Low Range Ratio
-
-
Combined Driving Range
-
-
Electric Consumption
-
-
Range Real World Highway
-
-
Range Real World Mixed
-
-
Range Wltp
-
-
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
No
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Alarm System
Yes
Yes
Central Locking
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Yes
Speed Alert System
Yes
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
-
No
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
3 Stars (Euro NCAP 2017 Assessment)
AEB
No
Yes
BA
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
-
Yes
Curtain Airbags
-
Yes — Full Length Curtain Airbags
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes — Front Seatbelt Pre-tensioners
Side Airbags
-
Yes — Front Side Airbags
TCS
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
No
Yes
Knee Airbag
-
No
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
Yes
Yes
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
6
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
6
6
ESC With Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Side Impact Beams
-
Yes
Whiplash Protection
-
Yes — Active Head Restraints Front
Pedestrian Detection AEB
-
Yes
Lane Change Warning
-
Yes
Fatigue Detection
-
Yes
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
No
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
No
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
No
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Yes
Parking Sensors
Rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
-
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
No
Auto Highbeam
-
No
Auto Lights
Yes
Yes
Auto Wipers
No
Yes
Drive Modes
Eco / Normal
Eco Mode Only
Eco Mode
Yes
Yes
EV Mode
No
Not Applicable — Petrol Engine
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Sport Mode
No
No
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Yes
Park Assist
-
No
Around View Monitor
-
No
Blind Spot Warning
No
Yes
Emergency Braking
No
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
-
-
Parking Distance Sensors
Rear
Yes
Parking Sensor
Rear
Yes
Pre-Collision System
No
Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers
No
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera Type
Yes
Yes
Reversing Camera
Yes
Yes
Surround View Camera
-
No
Front Camera
-
No
Automatic High Beam
-
No
Spec
Grand i10
Picanto
Seat Material
Fabric
Leather
Seat Adjustment
Manual
Manual 6-Way Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated Seats
No
Yes — Front Heated Seats
Ventilated Seats
No
No
Steering Type
Electric
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Steering Adjustment
Tilt
Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting
No
No
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
Yes — 60/40 Split Fold
Front Armrest
Yes
No
Rear Armrest
No
No
Cup Holders
4
2
Rear AC Vents
No
No
Rear USB Ports
2
0
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather-Wrapped
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
Semi-Digital Instrument Cluster
Interior Colour Options
5
2
Door Map Pockets
Yes
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
Yes
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
Yes
Cooled Seats
No
No
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual
6-Way Manual Adjustment
Fabric Seats
Yes
No
Front Headrest
Yes
Yes — Adjustable
Leather Seats
No
Yes
Memory Seats
No
No
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual
4-Way Manual Adjustment
Rear Headrest
Yes
Yes — Adjustable
Armrest Front
Yes
No
Armrest Rear
No
No
Boot Space Seats Up
235
255
Cargo Space
235
255
Driver Seat
Manual
Manual 6-Way Driver Seat Adjustment
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on upper trims, simple and practical cabin layout, adequate rear legroom for a sub-compact
Performance
Picanto +1
Efficiency
Grand i10 +5
Safety
Picanto +14
Practicality
Grand i10 +2
Ownership
Picanto +6
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Picanto
Performance
28/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
53/100
Ownership
71/100
Grand i10
Performance
27/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
76/100
Practicality
55/100
Ownership
65/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆KIA Picanto
wins with 59 pts
vs 56 pts for Grand i10
In structured scoring, Picanto emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Grand i10 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Picanto edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Grand i10 66 vs Picanto 61. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Grand i10 76, Picanto 90. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Grand i10 65, Picanto 71. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Grand i10 55, Picanto 53. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Grand i10 27, Picanto 28. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Picanto edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Picanto scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Grand i10 and Picanto in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Grand i10 scores 27 vs 28.
Efficiency: Grand i10 scores 66 vs 61.
Safety: Grand i10 scores 76 vs 90.
Practicality: Grand i10 scores 55 vs 53.
Ownership: Grand i10 scores 65 vs 71.
Final structured scoring gives Picanto
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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