KIA Picanto vs Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab

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.

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
VS
Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab in South Africa

Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab

2.4L Bi-Turbo A/T Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 959,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 470 Nm ⛽ 11.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

KIA Picanto vs Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab: the short answer

Triton Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Picanto.

Picanto starts ZAR 402,995 cheaper Picanto from ZAR 236,995 · Triton Double Cab from ZAR 639,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Picanto Triton Double Cab
Maximum Power Picanto61 kW @ 6000 rpm Triton Double Cab150 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque Picanto121 Nm @ 4000 rpm Triton Double Cab470 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm
Engine Size Picanto1248 cc Triton Double Cab2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Picanto15.9 km/l Triton Double Cab11.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Picanto155 mm Triton Double Cab228 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.

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

Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab

2.4L Bi-Turbo A/T

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

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)

Picanto

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Triton Double Cab

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

Which One's Right for You?

Picanto

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Triton Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Picanto Triton Double Cab
Engine Position Transverse Front-Mounted -
Gearbox 4-Speed Automatic 6-Speed Automatic
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Number of Gears 4 6
Clutch Type Torque Converter Automatic Torque converter
Paddle Shifters Not Applicable No
Final Drive Ratio 4.058:1 4.272
Drivetrain Layout Front Wheel Drive Front-engine, selectable four-wheel drive
Drivetrain FWD — Front Wheel Drive 4WD
Steering Turns Lock to Lock 2.8 -
LSD Available Not Applicable Active Limited Slip Differential (brake control)
Differential Lock Not Applicable Rear differential lock
Transfer Case Not Applicable Super Select 4WD-II
Gear Shift Type Floor-Mounted Selector Floor-mounted selector
Gear Shift Indicator Yes Yes
Gearbox Type 4-Speed Automatic 6-Speed Automatic
Transmission Speeds 4 6
Axle Layout FWD 4x4
Automatic Shift Paddles Not Applicable No
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Selectable electronically
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Yes
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Yes
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Low Range Not Applicable Yes
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable 2.566
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable No
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Yes
4WD Selector Not Applicable Rotary selector
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Spec Picanto Triton Double Cab
Variable Valve Timing CVVT on Intake Camshaft -
Fuel Octane Requirement 93 RON Unleaded -
CO2 Emissions 145 g/km 220 g/km
Start Stop System No -
Noise Level 68 dB -
Hybrid System Type Not Applicable -
Particulate Filter GPF Fitted -
Euro Emission Standard Euro 5 -
Green NCAP Rating Not Independently NCAP Green Rated -
Idle CO2 Output Within Euro 5 Emission Limits -
Fuel Evaporation Control Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) -
CO2 Emissions G Km 145 -

In depth: how these cars differ

This Picanto and Triton Double Cab 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: Picanto 28 vs Triton Double Cab 75.

Efficiency index: Picanto 61 vs Triton Double Cab 47.

Safety-equipment index: Picanto 89 vs Triton Double Cab 95.

Practicality index: Picanto 53 vs Triton Double Cab 90.

Ownership-cover index: Picanto 77 vs Triton Double Cab not separately scored.

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

Triton Double Cab leads by 18 points

Triton Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Picanto.

Evidence leader 78 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 83% source coverage
78
#1 Evidence leader

Triton Double Cab

83% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 95 Check Efficiency 47
Performance 75
Efficiency 47
Safety 95
Practicality 90
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 Triton Double Cab +47 Efficiency Picanto +14 Safety Triton Double Cab +6 Practicality Triton Double Cab +37

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Triton Double Cab

Performance 75/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 95/100
Practicality 90/100

Picanto

Performance 28/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 89/100
Practicality 53/100
Ownership 77/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts vs 60 pts for Picanto

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

Picanto vs Triton Double Cab 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.