Kia Picanto vs Nissan Pulsar
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.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Nissan Pulsar: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$19,190RRP
- with the Nissan Pulsar's standard kit: $19,190 (nothing to add)
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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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's published record does not give the Kia Picanto a rating. We hold no ANCAP data for the Nissan Pulsar. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Kia Picanto
None open on our record
Nissan Pulsar
- REC-001098 · published 29 Jun 2015The Push-Button Engine Start Switch may remain in the pressed position due to excessive friction and not return after switching the engine on.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-005305 · published 10 Apr 2015The satellite sensor for side curtain airbag in the B-Pillar may not have been installed correctly in some Nissan B17 Pulsar and C12 Pulsar vehicles.Year range on the notice: 2013
- REC-001097 · published 2 Dec 2014The fuel pressure sensor of some vehicles may be insufficiently tightened to the fuel rail, and may loosen gradually due to heat and vibration of the engine.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 3 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia Picanto stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan Pulsar. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Picanto uses a Petrol producing 62kW and 122Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.2 seconds.
The Nissan Pulsar responds with a Petrol making 140kW and 240Nm, paired to a xtronic cvt with manual mode driving the front wheels.
The Nissan Pulsar has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 62kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Picanto measures 3,595mm long on a 2,400mm wheelbase, 700mm shorter than the Nissan Pulsar at 4,295mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Pulsar generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 10.7m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.7m 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 $1,539/year for the Kia Picanto and $2,223/year for the Nissan Pulsar. That is a $684 annual difference in favour of the Kia Picanto.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Nissan Pulsar). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —6yr (Nissan Pulsar).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Pulsar if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (71 vs 52). The Kia Picanto and Nissan Pulsar trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia Picanto will save you roughly $684 a year in fuel. 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, Kia Picanto and Nissan Pulsar?
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.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Kia Picanto, and we hold no ANCAP data for Nissan Pulsar, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Pulsar makes the most power at 140kW.
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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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