Hyundai H1 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.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Hyundai H1 Discontinued model
Hyundai H1 in South Africa

Hyundai H1

2.5 CRDi Executive Diesel 5-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 899,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 125 kW 🔧 441 Nm ⛽ 11.8 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 H1 vs KIA Picanto: the short answer

H1 and Picanto are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Recorded price context H1: last listed from ZAR 899,900 · Picanto: current from ZAR 236,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H1 Picanto
Maximum Power H1125 kW @ 3600 rpm Picanto61 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque H1441 Nm @ 2000 rpm Picanto121 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size H12497 cc Picanto1248 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H111.8 km/l Picanto15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance H1185 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 H1

2.5 CRDi Executive

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

H1

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

Picanto

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

Which One's Right for You?

H1

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Picanto

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec H1 Picanto
Model Introduced Year 2008 2004
Generation Second generation H1 based on a proven commercial-derived platform; the architecture prioritises durability and packaging over dynamics Third generation (JA) since 2017; 2021 facelift model current in SA
Facelift History Second generation H1 launched in SA in 2008; periodic infotainment and feature updates have been applied but the platform is long-standing 2011 second generation; 2017 third generation; 2021 facelift with updated front fascia and infotainment
Facelift Launched Since 2008 2021
Body Style MPV Hatchback
Production Status discontinued active
Segment MPV Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 2220 kg 975 kg
Vehicle Type MPV Hatchback
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note Not confirmed Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Chili Red, Horizon Blue, Perennial Grey, Sporty Blue (two-tone options available on EX+)
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Spec H1 Picanto
Length 5125 mm 3595 mm
Width 1920 mm 1595 mm
Height 1925 mm 1485 mm
Wheelbase 3200 mm 2400 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 185 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 151 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 75 l 35 l
Boot/Cargo Space 820 l 255 l
Kerb Weight 2220 kg 975 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3030 kg 1425 kg
Payload Capacity 810 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity 2500 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 9 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 4.8 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm 970 mm
Rear Headroom 1000 mm 935 mm
Front Legroom 1090 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 990 mm 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This H1 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: H1 59 vs Picanto 28.

Efficiency index: H1 47 vs Picanto 61.

Safety-equipment index: H1 68 vs Picanto 89.

Practicality index: H1 86 vs Picanto 53.

Ownership-cover index: H1 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

H1 leads by 6 points

H1 and Picanto are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 66 /100
Lead 6 points
Data 97% source coverage
66
#1 Evidence leader

H1

97% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 86 Check Efficiency 47
Performance 59
Efficiency 47
Safety 68
Practicality 86
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 H1 +31 Efficiency Picanto +14 Safety Picanto +21 Practicality H1 +33 Ownership Picanto +12

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

H1

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 68/100
Practicality 86/100
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 H1 leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts vs 60 pts for Picanto

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, H1 leads. However, Picanto may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

H1 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.