Volkswagen up! 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.
Volkswagen up!
Price TBC
Hatchback
Premium unleaded
3 cylinder inline petrol
55kW
4.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
251L
Kia Picanto
From $19,190
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
62kW
5.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
255L
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.
Track the Volkswagen up! & Kia Picanto
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
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 counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen up! uses a 3 cylinder inline petrol producing 55kW and 95Nm of torque, sent through a 5 speed manual to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 13.2 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 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 Volkswagen up! measures 3,540mm long on a 2,407mm wheelbase, 55mm shorter than the Kia Picanto at 3,595mm (2,400mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen up! generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 251L in the Volkswagen up! and 255L in the Kia Picanto, giving the Kia Picanto a 4L advantage. The Kia Picanto seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m 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 9.4m 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 $1,397/year for the Volkswagen up! and $1,539/year for the Kia Picanto. That is a $142 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen up!.
Warranty: 3 years (Volkswagen up!) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Picanto). The Kia Picanto has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen up! if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
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.
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, Volkswagen up! and Kia Picanto?
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 Volkswagen up! and Kia Picanto 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.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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!
