Verdict
The Kia Picanto costs RM47,079 to the Axia’s RM33,900, a RM13,179 gap that buys a stronger 83 hp/122 Nm 1.25 litre engine, six airbags, a reverse camera and a far better connected 7.0-inch touchscreen. It is also 165 mm shorter, useful in tight parking. The Axia answers with a 2,525 mm wheelbase against 2,400 mm, five doors, a 265-litre boot and RM20 annual road tax versus RM70. For first-car budgets, the Perodua is the rational call; the Kia is the better-equipped safety pick.
Pick the Kia Picanto if six airbags, a reverse camera, smartphone connectivity and 83 hp matter more than the RM13,179 extra outlay.
Pick the Perodua Axia if the lower RM33,900 entry price, RM20 road tax, five-door body and slightly larger boot suit your budget.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Picanto RM47,079; Perodua Axia RM33,900.
- Power and torque: Kia Picanto 83 hp and 122 Nm; Perodua Axia 67 hp and 91 Nm.
- Safety airbags: Kia Picanto six airbags; Perodua Axia two airbags.
- Wheelbase: Kia Picanto 2,400 mm; Perodua Axia 2,525 mm.
- Boot space: Kia Picanto 255 litres; Perodua Axia 265 litres.
- Road tax: Kia Picanto RM70 per year; Perodua Axia RM20 per year.
Picanto
- 83 hp and 122 Nm beat the Axia’s 67 hp and 91 Nm.
- Six airbags, including side and curtain airbags.
- Reverse camera, 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Costs RM13,179 more.
- RM70 annual road tax versus RM20.
- Four doors and a 255-litre boot versus five doors and 265 litres.
Axia
- RM33,900 price and RM20 annual road tax.
- 2,525 mm wheelbase and 265-litre boot.
- Full-size 14-inch steel spare tyre.
- 67 hp and 91 Nm trail the Picanto’s 83 hp and 122 Nm.
- Only two airbags, versus six in the Picanto.
- No reverse camera, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM47,079 | RM33,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | A-Segment | A-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70 | RM20✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,248 cc | 998 cc |
| Horsepower | 83 hp✓ | 67 hp |
| Torque | 122 Nm✓ | 91 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 71 mm | 71 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4-Speed Automatic | D-CVT |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km✓ | 25.3 L/100 km |
| Co2 | 134 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,595 mm | 3,760 mm |
| Width | 1,595 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Height | 1,485 mm | 1,505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm | 2,525 mm |
| Weight | 983 kg | 865 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 255 litres | 265 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 175/65R14 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 175/65R14 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size 14" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen N'blue HD Plus | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 14" Alloy | 14" 8-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 14" Alloy | 14" 8-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 3 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With AEB | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | Foldable Backrest |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-Zone | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Room lamp | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 7.0-inch Touchscreen Radio with CD, MP3, AUX, USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Two Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Picanto & Axia for sale
Picanto vs Axia FAQ
Is the Kia Picanto or Perodua Axia better?
The Kia Picanto is better equipped for safety and convenience, with six airbags, a reverse camera and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Perodua Axia is the better budget choice, costing less, paying lower road tax and providing a longer wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Picanto costs RM13,179 more than the Perodua Axia. That gap brings 16 hp and 31 Nm more, four additional airbags, a reverse camera and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Which has more space, the Kia Picanto or Perodua Axia?
The Perodua Axia is larger in the cabin-related measures: its 2,525 mm wheelbase is 125 mm longer and its boot holds 265 litres, 10 litres more than the Picanto’s 255 litres. It also has five doors to the Picanto’s four.