Kia Picanto vs Suzuki Swift
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.
Price Breakdown
The Kia Picanto starts from $18,390 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Swift opens at $23,990. That makes the Kia Picanto the more affordable entry point by $5,600.
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 $20,229 and $26,389 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki Swift by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
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 Kia Picanto features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Suzuki Swift gets a 9-inch display. 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 Suzuki Swift responds with a Petrol making 61kW and 112Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.4 seconds.
The Kia Picanto has the clear power advantage at 62kW vs 61kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Picanto is 0.2s 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, 265mm shorter than the Suzuki Swift at 3,860mm (2,450mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Suzuki Swift generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 255L in the Kia Picanto and 267L in the Suzuki Swift, giving the Suzuki Swift a 12L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.8m to 9.8m
Based on 9.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,539/year for the Kia Picanto and $1,311/year for the Suzuki Swift. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki Swift.
Estimated annual total: $1,539 (Kia Picanto) vs $1,311 (Suzuki Swift). The Suzuki Swift saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Swift). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki Swift if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Picanto takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Suzuki Swift will save you roughly $228 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 Suzuki Swift?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $18,390 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Suzuki Swift by $5,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki Swift uses the least fuel at 4.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Suzuki Swift all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Suzuki Swift has the largest boot at 267L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
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.
Get ahead of your next car
Join free for new-car launches, news, reviews and buying guides. The independent take on what's new in Australia and what's actually worth buying, no dealer spin. Plus early access and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
