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• We stack the Hyundai Grandi10 and Kia Picanto up against each other.
• The two hatchbacks are built on the same platform and engine.
• The cars in question are the top models in their respective ranges.
• For more motoring stories, go to Wheels24
It's not every day that two cousins from the same family line have to endure a tough old battle to see who is better. That's exactly what happened when Hyundai's Grandi10 went up against the Kia Picanto. Hyundai and Kia come from the same parent company, with the product offerings sharing the same architecture. Think Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Or Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio.
Or, in this case, the Hyundai Grandi10 and Kia Picanto.
For this shootout, we pitted the Grandi10 1.2 Fluid against the Picanto 1.2 Style. On the face of it, there seems to be little to choose between these two cars, but the differences could not be more apparent.
Pricing and warranty
For the comparative test, Kia South Africa could only avail the Picanto 1.2 Style in automatic guise; this versus the Grandi10 1.2 Fluid manual. Given that the Style is the best-equipped Picanto in the range, just like the Fluid model, we agreed to it. For buyers wanting to compare a manual to a manual, the only differences between this specific Picanto and its manual counterpart are the type of gearboxes used and prices.
The Picanto 1.2 Style automatic retails for R234 995 (R220 995 for the manual), whereas the Grandi10 1.2 Fluid manual has an asking price of R236 900. The auto version carries an R26 600 premium over the manual. On price, the Picanto has it in the bag over its cousin.
WATCH: Grandi10 takes on Agya to establish #1 budget car in South Africa
The other essential aspect owners want peace of mind to is with regards to warranties and service plans. Hyundai has one of the best warranties in South Africa, boasting a 5-year or 150 000km vehicle warranty and a 7-year or 200 000km drivetrain warranty. Kia rivals this with a 5-year or unlimited km warranty. In terms of service plans, the Grandi10 has a one-year or 15 000km option as standard versus the 2-year or 30 000km for the Picanto.
Both Hyundai and Kia offer comprehensive packages at competitive prices, but the Picanto takes this one over the Grandi10. Even with Hyundai's extensive warranties, the price difference between the two models is too high to swing the pendulum.
Engine and gearbox
Given the family ties, the Grandi10 and Picanto are powered by the same 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. In both cars, the engine produces 61kW at 6 000rpm, but the Picanto has more torque than the Grandi10: 122Nm vs 114Nm. Both cars' torque outputs are available at 4 000rpm. If one opts for the manual gearbox in either car, a five-speed unit sends power to the front wheels. The automatic transmission makes do with four gears.
Both Kia and Hyundai claim fuel returns of under 6.0-litres/100km.
REVIEW: Kia's new Picanto is the ideal frugal city car with a funky premium suit
Features and technology
Both cars have well-equipped cabins, with features that include all-round electric windows, multi-function steering wheels, USB and AUX inputs, and Bluetooth. But Hyundai ups the Grandi10's game by adding (artificial) leader cladded seats and park distance control. Kia, though, claws back ground by having a rear-view camera.
READ: More mature, more impressive - Is Hyundai's Grandi10 the new segment leader?
Both cars' multimedia systems are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible.
It will come down to what buyers see as important when making a decision. The Grandi10 features a cabin that is youthful in execution, whereas the Picanto's takes on a more straightforward and practical approach.
In summary
Choosing between the Grandi10 1.2 Fluid and Picanto 1.2 Style is like deciding between red and yellow apples - both are soft to the bite, but the flavours are vastly different. And while we thoroughly enjoy the Grandi10, we can't ignore what Kia has put on the table.
The Picanto bests the Grandi10 in terms of price, and the list of features matches - and beats - that of its cousin. The value proposition that Kia has brought to the market can't be ignored, which is why it's our pick in this shootout.
And did we mention that the Picanto comes with a rear wiper?
