GWM P500 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.

GWM P500 in South Africa

GWM P500

2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT Hybrid 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 999,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 255 kW 🔧 648 Nm ⛽ 10.2 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

GWM P500 vs KIA Picanto: the short answer

P500 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Picanto.

Picanto starts ZAR 562,905 cheaper P500 from ZAR 799,900 · Picanto from ZAR 236,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification P500 Picanto
Maximum Power P500255 kW Picanto61 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque P500648 Nm Picanto121 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size P5002000 cc Picanto1248 cc
Combined Fuel Economy P50010.2 km/l Picanto15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance P500224 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.

GWM P500

2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT

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

P500

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?

P500

  • 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

Spec P500 Picanto
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2004
Generation Current South African P500 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 Double-cab pickup Hatchback
Body Type Cab Pickup -
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 Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published active
Segment Pickup Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 2761 kg 975 kg
Vehicle Type Pickup Hatchback
Spec P500 Picanto
Length 5445 mm 3595 mm
Width 1991 mm 1595 mm
Height 1924 mm 1485 mm
Wheelbase 3350 mm 2400 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 224 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm 151 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 35 l
Boot/Cargo Space 450 l 255 l
Kerb Weight 2810 kg 975 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3495 kg 1425 kg
Payload Capacity 685 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.0 m 4.8 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm 970 mm
Rear Headroom 960 mm 935 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This P500 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: P500 98 vs Picanto 28.

Efficiency index: P500 50 vs Picanto 61.

Safety-equipment index: P500 88 vs Picanto 89.

Practicality index: P500 78 vs Picanto 53.

Ownership-cover index: P500 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

P500 leads by 18 points

P500 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Picanto.

Evidence leader 78 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 73% source coverage
78
#1 Evidence leader

P500

73% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 98 Check Efficiency 50
Performance 98
Efficiency 50
Safety 88
Practicality 78
Ownership 65
Leads by 18 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 P500 +70 Efficiency Picanto +11 Safety Picanto +1 Practicality P500 +25 Ownership Picanto +12

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

P500

Performance 98/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 78/100
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 GWM P500 leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts vs 60 pts for Picanto

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, P500 leads. However, Picanto may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

P500 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.