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 4-Speed Automatic Current
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 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 209,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 59 kW 🔧 104 Nm ⛽ 13.7 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

KIA Picanto Panel Van vs Suzuki Super Carry: the short answer

Picanto Panel Van has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Super Carry remains close.

Super Carry starts ZAR 52,095 cheaper Picanto Panel Van from ZAR 249,995 · Super Carry from ZAR 197,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Picanto Panel Van Super Carry
Maximum Power Picanto Panel Van49 kW @ 6000 rpm Super Carry59 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Picanto Panel Van94 Nm @ 3500 rpm Super Carry104 Nm @ 2900 rpm
Engine Size Picanto Panel Van998 cc Super Carry1196 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Picanto Panel Van16.4 km/l Super Carry13.7 km/l
Ground Clearance Picanto Panel Van155 mm Super Carry175 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Picanto Panel Van

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

Super Carry

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

Which One's Right for You?

Picanto Panel Van

  • 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

Super Carry

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Picanto Panel Van Super Carry
Engine Position Transverse Front-Mounted Transverse Front-Mounted
Gearbox 4-Speed Automatic 5-Speed Manual
Transmission Type Automatic Manual
Number of Gears 4 5
Clutch Type Torque Converter Automatic Single Dry Plate Diaphragm
Paddle Shifters Not Applicable Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio 4.286:1 4.529:1
Drivetrain Layout Front Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive
Drivetrain FWD — Front Wheel Drive RWD
Steering Turns Lock to Lock 2.8 3.2
LSD Available Not Applicable Not Applicable
Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type Floor-Mounted Selector 5-Speed Manual
Gear Shift Indicator Yes Not Applicable
Gearbox Type 4-Speed Automatic 5-Speed Manual
Transmission Speeds 4 5
Axle Layout FWD RWD
Automatic Shift Paddles Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard Not Available Not Available
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Differential Type Front Not Available Not Available
Differential Type Rear Not Available Not Available
Spec Picanto Panel Van Super Carry
Variable Valve Timing CVVT on Intake Camshaft Not Available — Fixed Cam Timing
Fuel Octane Requirement 93 RON Unleaded 93 RON Unleaded
CO2 Emissions 140 g/km 155 g/km
Start Stop System No Not Available
Noise Level 68 dB 72 dB
Hybrid System Type Not Applicable Not Applicable
Particulate Filter GPF Fitted Not Fitted
Euro Emission Standard Euro 5 Euro 5
Green NCAP Rating Not Independently NCAP Green Rated Not Rated — Commercial Vehicle
Idle CO2 Output Within Euro 5 Emission Limits Within Euro 5 Limits
Fuel Evaporation Control Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP)
CO2 Emissions G Km 140 155

In depth: how these cars differ

This Picanto Panel Van and Super Carry comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Picanto Panel Van 22 vs Super Carry 25.

Efficiency index: Picanto Panel Van 63 vs Super Carry 54.

Safety-equipment index: Picanto Panel Van 68 vs Super Carry 25.

Practicality index: Picanto Panel Van 59 vs Super Carry 59.

Ownership-cover index: Picanto Panel Van 77 vs Super Carry 60.

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

Picanto Panel Van leads by 12 points

Picanto Panel Van has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Super Carry remains close.

Evidence leader 55 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 92% source coverage
55
#1 Evidence leader

Picanto Panel Van

92% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Ownership 77 Check Performance 22
Performance 22
Efficiency 63
Safety 68
Practicality 59
Ownership 77
Leads by 12 points
43
#2

Super Carry

79% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Ownership 60 Check Performance 25
Performance 25
Efficiency 54
Safety 25
Practicality 59
Ownership 60
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Super Carry +3 Efficiency Picanto Panel Van +9 Safety Picanto Panel Van +43 Practicality Level Ownership Picanto Panel Van +17

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Picanto Panel Van

Performance 22/100
Efficiency 63/100
Safety 68/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 77/100

Super Carry

Performance 25/100
Efficiency 54/100
Safety 25/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 60/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index KIA Picanto Panel Van leads the specification evidence index with 55 pts vs 43 pts for Super Carry

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

Picanto Panel Van vs Super Carry questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.