Hyundai i10 vs Kia Picanto
Figures updated
The Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto are two of the UK's most popular city cars. We compare the Mk3 (2019–) i10 and the Mk3 (2017–) Picanto on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 425,965 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Hyundai i10 for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Kia Picanto for the lower price.
- The Kia Picanto is the cheapest to buy new: from £17,095, £1,270 less than the Hyundai i10.
- Their boots are much the same size: Hyundai i10 252 litres, Kia Picanto 255 litres.
- The Hyundai i10 has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the Kia Picanto fails its MOT about 6% more often.
- Running costs are close: the petrol versions cost within £10 a year of each other to fuel at 7,500 miles a year.
- Watch the brakes on a Hyundai i10: it fails on them 1.7 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the brakes on a Kia Picanto: it fails on them 2.1 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Hyundai i10Mk3 (2019–), 5-door hatchback | Kia PicantoMk3 (2017–), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £18,365 to £21,115April 2026 price list | £17,095 to £20,645October 2026 price list (best) |
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 252 litres / 1,050 | 255 litres / 1,010 |
| Length | 3,670mm | 3,595mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,680mm | 1,595mm |
| Height | 1,480mm | 1,485mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 63–90 PS (best) | 68 PS |
| 0–62mph | 11.4–18.4 sec (best) | 14.6–17.2 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2020) | ★★★★★ (2017) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Petrol | Petrol |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 49.6–56.5 mpg | 48.7–58.9 mpg |
| CO2 | 114–130 g/km | 109–136 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,119 (52.3 mpg) | £1,119 (52.3 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,119 (petrol) | £1,119 (petrol) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200 | £200 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 86Below average (best) | 81Well below average |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 27.5% (best) | 29.5% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 15.5% | 12.1% (best) |
| Failed at 5 years old | 17.6% | 16.3% (best) |
| Failed at 10 years old | 31.5% | 30.8% |
| Most common MOT fault | Wipers (3.6% of tests) | Rbt (sp) (3.7% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Brakes (1.7×), Visibility (1.6×) | Brakes (2.1×), Visibility (1.6×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 244,250 | 181,715 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | City car | City car |
| Owners' average miles a year | 5,200 | 5,200 |
| On sale | 2019 on | 2017 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto more reliable?
The Hyundai i10. Like for like on age and mileage, the Kia Picanto fails its MOT about 6% more often (reliability scores 86 and 81, where 100 is average). 27.5% of Hyundai i10s and 29.5% of Kia Picantos failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto?
The Hyundai i10 is 75mm longer (3,670mm against 3,595mm). Their boots are much the same: 252 and 255 litres.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto?
The Kia Picanto: new prices start at £17,095, £1,270 less than the Hyundai i10 (from £18,365). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto?
Comparing petrol versions, fuel costs are within £10 a year of each other at 7,500 miles, using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto?
Euro NCAP gave the Hyundai i10 3 stars (2020) and the Kia Picanto 3 stars (2017). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Hyundai i10 or the Kia Picanto?
Pick the Hyundai i10 for the better MOT record and more performance, or the Kia Picanto for the lower price. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.