KIA Picanto Panel Van vs Suzuki Super Carry

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.

KIA Picanto Panel Van in South Africa

KIA Picanto Panel Van

1.0 LS Panel Van Auto Petrol Automatic
ZAR 269,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 49 kW 🔧 94 Nm ⛽ 16.4 km/l
VS
Suzuki Super Carry in South Africa

Suzuki Super Carry

1.2 Flatdeck MT Petrol Manual
ZAR 209,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 59 kW 🔧 104 Nm ⛽ 17.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Super Carry
Fuel Economy Tie
🛡 Safety Picanto Panel Van
📦 Practicality Picanto Panel Van
🔑 Ownership Tie
Super Carry starts ZAR 249995 cheaper Picanto Panel Van from ZAR 249,995 · Super Carry from ZAR 197,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Picanto Panel Van Super Carry
Engine Power 49 59
Torque 94 104
Engine Size 998 1196
Claimed Mileage 16.4 17.2
Ground Clearance 155 175
Boot Space 620 0
Airbags 6 1 — Driver Only
Kerb Weight 950 850
Seating Capacity 2 2
Warranty 7 5

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner
#1

Picanto Panel Van

56
/ 100
+21
pts
#2

Super Carry

35
/ 100

Moderate difference between the models.

The Bottom Line

Picanto Panel Van holds a noticeable edge over Super Carry, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Super Carry +1 pts
Efficiency Equal
Safety Picanto Panel Van +15 pts
Practicality Picanto Panel Van +7 pts
Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Picanto Panel Van

Performance 4/20
Efficiency 0/20
Safety 18/20
Practicality 14/20
Ownership 20/20

Super Carry

Performance 5/20
Efficiency 0/20
Safety 3/20
Practicality 7/20
Ownership 20/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Picanto Panel Van

Strengths
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Family Usage

Super Carry

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving

Which One's Right for You?

Picanto Panel Van

  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Super Carry

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Picanto Panel Van Super Carry
Engine 1.0L G3LA 3-Cylinder Petrol 1.2L GB14 4-Cylinder Petrol
Engine Type Inline 3 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated Inline 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated
Engine Type Config 1.0L 3-Cylinder DOHC Available
Engine Code G3LA GB14
Cylinder Layout Inline 3 (I3) Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration Naturally Aspirated Naturally Aspirated
Displacement 998 1196
Engine Displacement 998 Available
Cylinders 3 4
Valves per Cylinder 4 4
Cylinder Bore 71.0 68.5
Piston Stroke 84.0 81.3
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 9.5:1
Engine Position Transverse Front-Mounted Transverse Front-Mounted
Variable Valve Timing CVVT on Intake Camshaft Not Available — Fixed Cam Timing
Fuel System Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI) Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Turbocharger Not Applicable Not Applicable
Power 49 59
Power @ RPM 6,000 rpm 6,000 rpm
Power 66 80
Torque 94 104
Torque @ RPM 3,500 rpm 2,900 rpm
Maximum Engine RPM 6500 6200
Engine Oil Capacity 3.2 3.0
Fuel Grade Required 93 RON Unleaded Petrol 93 RON Unleaded Petrol
Top Speed 148 120
0-100 km/h 14.5 20.0
0–100 km/h 14.5 Available
Battery Capacity Not Applicable Available
Charging Port Not Applicable Available
AC Charging Time Not Applicable Available
EV Range 0 Available
Spec Picanto Panel Van Super Carry
Valves Per Cylinder 4 Available
Ground Clearance Unladen 155 Available
Fuel Consumption Combined 6.1 L/100km — WLTP Combined Cycle Available
Spare Wheel Full Size Spare Tyre Available
Tyre Repair Kit No — Full Size Spare Provided Available
Adaptive Dampers No Available
Hill Start Assist Yes Available
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner Yes — Front Available
Seatbelt Reminder Yes Available
Speed Alert System Yes Available
Stability Control Yes Available
Driver Display Semi-Digital Instrument Cluster with MID Available
Steering Mounted Controls Yes Available
Multi Function Steering Yes Available
Voice Command Yes Available
Voice Command Support Yes Available
Wireless Charging No Not Available
Seat Type Cloth Fabric Available
Rear Seat Split N/A Panel Van Available
Front Armrest No Available
Headrest Adjustable Yes Available
Climate Control Manual Air Conditioning Manual Air Conditioning (Optional Fitment)
AC Type Manual AC Manual Air Conditioning
Climate Zones Single Zone 1
Power Windows Yes — Front Windows Only Not Available — Manual Windows
Keyless Entry No Not Available
Push Button Start No Not Available
Push Button Start No Not Available
Engine Start Stop Button No Available
Engine Start Button Illumination No Available
Remote Engine Start No Available
Sunroof No Not Available
Panoramic Roof No Not Available
Electric Tailgate No Not Available
Boot Opener Yes — Electric Boot Release Button Available
Fuel Lid Opener Yes — Remote Fuel Lid Opener Available
Automatic Headlamps Yes Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers No Not Available
Auto Dimming Mirror No Not Available
Auto Dimming Irvm No Available
Rear Defogger Yes Available
Rear Window Defroster Yes Standard
Electric Mirror Folding No Manual Fold
Electric Folding Mirrors No Available
Power Mirrors Yes 150
Driver Seat Height Adjustment Yes Not Available
Tachometer Yes Available
Trip Computer Yes Available
Speed Limiter Yes Not Available
Follow Me Home Headlamps Yes Not Available
12V Accessory Socket Yes — 12V Front Accessory Socket 1 x 12V Socket
Front Power Outlet Yes — 12V Socket 150
Rear Reading Lamps Yes Available
Vanity Mirror Yes Available
Door Ajar Warning Yes Available
Impact Sensing Door Unlock Yes Available
Engine Check Warning Yes Available
Service Reminder Yes Available
Rear Wing No Available
Chrome Grille No Available
Chrome Exterior Highlights No Available
Side Steps No Available
Skid Plates No Available
Gear Shift Type Floor-Mounted Selector Available
Engine Start Stop No Available
Heads Up Display No Not Available
Intercooler Not Applicable — Naturally Aspirated Engine Available
Launch Control No Available
Performance Data Logger No Available
Ride Mode Selection No Available
Rev Matching No Available
Payload Capacity Not Applicable — Passenger Vehicle Available
Roof Antenna Yes Available
Aero Kit No Available
Exhaust Finish Standard Single Outlet Chrome Tip Available
Exhaust Type Single Exhaust System Available
Glovebox Cooling No Available
Headlamp Height Adjust Yes — Manual Headlamp Beam Adjustment Available
Headlamp Washer No Available
Drag Coefficient 0.32 Cd Available
Stabilizer Bar Front and Rear Anti-Roll Bars Available
Steering Response Electric Power Assisted Steering Available
Tail Lamps Halogen Tail Lamps Available
Service Plan 3 Years/45 Available
Engine Warranty 7 Years/150 Available
Telescopic Steering - Available
Tilt Steering - Available

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 KIA Picanto Panel Van wins with 56 pts vs 35 pts for Super Carry

In structured scoring, Picanto Panel Van emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Super Carry may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Picanto Panel Van 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: Picanto Panel Van 0 vs Super Carry 0. 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: Picanto Panel Van 18, Super Carry 3. 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: Picanto Panel Van 20, Super Carry 20. 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: Picanto Panel Van 14, Super Carry 7. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Picanto Panel Van 4, Super Carry 5. 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 Panel Van edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Picanto Panel Van 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 Picanto Panel Van and Super Carry in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Picanto Panel Van scores 4 vs 5.

Efficiency: Picanto Panel Van scores 0 vs 0.

Safety: Picanto Panel Van scores 18 vs 3.

Practicality: Picanto Panel Van scores 14 vs 7.

Ownership: Picanto Panel Van scores 20 vs 20.

Final structured scoring gives Picanto Panel Van the advantage in this comparison.