Kia Picanto vs Toyota Yaris
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 Toyota Yaris opens at $28,990. That makes the Kia Picanto the more affordable entry point by $10,600.
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 $31,889 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota Yaris by roughly $2,280 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 Toyota Yaris gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia Picanto stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Toyota Yaris. The Toyota Yaris counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. 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 Toyota Yaris responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 141Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.8 seconds.
The Toyota Yaris has the clear power advantage at 85kW vs 62kW. In the real-world sprint, the Toyota Yaris is 2.4s 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, 345mm shorter than the Toyota Yaris at 3,940mm (2,550mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Yaris generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 255L in the Kia Picanto and 270L in the Toyota Yaris, giving the Toyota Yaris a 15L 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 $1,083/year for the Toyota Yaris. That is a $456 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Yaris.
Estimated annual total: $1,539 (Kia Picanto) vs $1,083 (Toyota Yaris). The Toyota Yaris saves you roughly $456 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 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Yaris). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Yaris if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota Yaris takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Toyota Yaris will save you roughly $456 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 Toyota Yaris?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $18,390 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota Yaris by $10,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Yaris uses the least fuel at 3.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Toyota Yaris all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota Yaris has the largest boot at 270L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Yaris makes the most power at 85kW. The Toyota Yaris is quickest to 100km/h in 9.8s.
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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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