Fiat 500 vs Kia Picanto
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Fiat 500
From $28,900
Hatchback
Petrol
MultiAir Petrol
51kW
4.8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
185L
Kia Picanto
From $19,190
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
62kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
255L
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Price Breakdown
The Fiat 500 starts from $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Kia Picanto opens at $19,190. That makes the Kia Picanto the more affordable entry point by $9,710.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $31,790 and $21,109 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Fiat 500 features a 7-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Kia Picanto gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Fiat 500 gets fabric upholstery while the Kia Picanto offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Fiat 500 uses a MultiAir Petrol producing 51kW and 102Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed dualogic automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.9 seconds.
The Kia Picanto responds with a Petrol making 62kW and 122Nm, paired to a manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.2 seconds.
The Kia Picanto has the clear power advantage at 62kW vs 51kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Picanto is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Fiat 500 measures 3,571mm long on a 2,300mm wheelbase, 24mm shorter than the Kia Picanto at 3,595mm (2,400mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Picanto generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Fiat 500 and 255L in the Kia Picanto, giving the Kia Picanto a 70L advantage. The Kia Picanto seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 9.4m
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,368/year for the Fiat 500 and $1,539/year for the Kia Picanto. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Fiat 500.
Estimated annual total: $1,368 (Fiat 500) vs $1,539 (Kia Picanto). The Fiat 500 saves you roughly $171 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Fiat 500 if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Picanto takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Fiat 500 will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Picanto has a clear edge. The Kia Picanto adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Fiat 500 and Kia Picanto?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $19,190 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Fiat 500 by $9,710.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Fiat 500 uses the least fuel at 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Fiat 500 and Kia Picanto carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Picanto has the largest boot at 255L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Picanto makes the most power at 62kW. The Kia Picanto is quickest to 100km/h in 12.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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