Suzuki Swift vs Kia Picanto
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 Suzuki Swift starts from $23,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Picanto opens at $18,390. 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 $26,389 and $20,229 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki Swift by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Suzuki Swift and Kia Picanto hold a 4-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 47% for the Suzuki Swift and 87% for the Kia Picanto.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Suzuki Swift packs more ADAS features with 4 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 3 in the Kia Picanto.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Suzuki Swift and 6 in the Kia Picanto.
Feature Showdown
The Suzuki Swift features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Kia Picanto gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Suzuki Swift uses a Petrol producing 61kW and 112Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.4 seconds.
The Kia Picanto responds with a Petrol making 62kW and 122Nm, paired to a manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.2 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 Suzuki Swift measures 3,860mm long on a 2,450mm wheelbase, 265mm longer than the Kia Picanto at 3,595mm (2,400mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Suzuki Swift generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 267L in the Suzuki Swift and 255L in the Kia Picanto, 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 $1,311/year for the Suzuki Swift and $1,539/year for the Kia Picanto. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki Swift.
Estimated annual total: $1,311 (Suzuki Swift) vs $1,539 (Kia Picanto). 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: 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Swift) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Suzuki Swift if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
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.
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, Suzuki Swift and Kia Picanto?
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 and Kia Picanto 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.
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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