Kia Picanto vs Skoda Fabia
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 19 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.
$19,190RRP
- no option data for this car
$27,990RRP
- with the Kia Picanto's standard kit: $27,990 (nothing to add)
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
The Kia Picanto starts from $19,190 before on-road costs, while the Skoda Fabia opens at $27,990. That makes the Kia Picanto the more affordable entry point by $8,800.
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 $21,109 and $30,789 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.
Recalls on our record
Kia Picanto
None open on our record
Skoda Fabia
- REC-005025 · published 4 Jan 2022Due to a manufacturing issue with the welding of the rear middle backrest frame there may be a reduction in the performance of the attached seat belt.Year range on the notice: 2021
- REC-001196 · published 15 Oct 2019Due to a production fault, over time a crack in the transmissions pressure accumulator can occur.Year range on the notice: 2008 - 2015
- REC-001199 · published 8 Jul 2019In some instances, the front driver air bag may not inflate to its fullest capacity fast enough when required.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2018
- 1 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
The Kia Picanto features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Skoda Fabia gets a 8.3-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
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 Skoda Fabia responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.7 seconds.
The Skoda Fabia has the clear power advantage at 85kW vs 62kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Skoda Fabia is 2.5s quicker. 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, 513mm shorter than the Skoda Fabia at 4,108mm (2,564mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Skoda Fabia generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 255L in the Kia Picanto and 380L in the Skoda Fabia, giving the Skoda Fabia a 125L advantage.
0Turning 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 $1,425/year for the Skoda Fabia. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the Skoda Fabia.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Skoda Fabia). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Skoda Fabia if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (69 vs 79). The Kia Picanto and Skoda Fabia trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Skoda Fabia will save you roughly $114 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Skoda Fabia has a clear edge. 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 Skoda Fabia?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $19,190 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Skoda Fabia by $8,800.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Skoda Fabia uses the least fuel at 5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Skoda Fabia holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Kia Picanto, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Skoda Fabia has the largest boot at 380L with the seats up (1,190L with the seats folded).
Which is the most powerful?
The Skoda Fabia makes the most power at 85kW. The Skoda Fabia is quickest to 100km/h in 9.7s.
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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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