Ford Fiesta vs Kia Picanto
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchs 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.
Ford Fiesta
Price TBC
Hatch
Petrol
Duratec 1.5L Ti-VCT DOHC
82kW
5.8 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
290L
Kia Picanto
From $19,190
Hatch
Petrol
Petrol
62kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
255L
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
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
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia Picanto counters with Apple CarPlay that the Ford Fiesta does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Ford Fiesta uses a Duratec 1.5L Ti-VCT DOHC producing 82kW and 140Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a FWD layout.
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 Ford Fiesta has the clear power advantage at 82kW vs 62kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Boot space is 290L in the Ford Fiesta and 255L in the Kia Picanto, giving the Ford Fiesta a 35L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m diameter
Excellent
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Excellent
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 8.3 m of road; you have 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.6 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,653/year for the Ford Fiesta and $1,539/year for the Kia Picanto. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the Kia Picanto.
Estimated annual total: $1,653 (Ford Fiesta) vs $1,539 (Kia Picanto). The Kia Picanto saves you roughly $114 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Ford Fiesta) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Fiesta if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Ford Fiesta and Kia Picanto trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia Picanto will save you roughly $114 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Ford Fiesta 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, Ford Fiesta and Kia Picanto?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $19,190 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Picanto uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Ford Fiesta all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Ford Fiesta has the largest boot at 290L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Ford Fiesta makes the most power at 82kW.
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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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