Kia Picanto vs Volkswagen up!
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.
Kia Picanto
From $19,190
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
62kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
255L
Volkswagen up!
Price TBC
Hatchback
Premium unleaded
3 cylinder inline petrol
55kW
4.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
251L
Volkswagen up!: we're still completing price, kerb weight, ground clearance 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.
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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 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen up!. 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 Volkswagen up! responds with a 3 cylinder inline petrol making 55kW and 95Nm, paired to a 5 speed manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 13.2 seconds.
The Kia Picanto has the clear power advantage at 62kW vs 55kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia Picanto is 1.0s 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, 55mm longer than the Volkswagen up! at 3,540mm (2,407mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen up! generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 255L in the Kia Picanto and 251L in the Volkswagen up!, giving the Kia Picanto a 4L advantage. The Kia Picanto seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 9.8m
Based on 9.4m 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
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 $1,397/year for the Volkswagen up!. That is a $142 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen up!.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto) vs 3 years (Volkswagen up!). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Picanto if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen up! if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Picanto takes 4 of 5 key spec categories. The Volkswagen up! will save you roughly $142 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 Volkswagen up!?
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest at $19,190 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen up! uses the least fuel at 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Kia Picanto and Volkswagen up! carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Picanto has the largest boot at 255L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Picanto has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
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.
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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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