Verdict
At just RM579 apart, these hatchbacks take very different routes. The Myvi is the larger B-segment car: 300 mm longer, 140 mm wider and on a 100 mm longer wheelbase, yet it weighs only 2 kg more. Its 94 hp 1.3-litre and D-CVT also return a claimed 4.5 L/100 km, against the Picanto’s 83 hp, four-speed automatic and 5.8 L/100 km. The Kia answers with a much fuller cabin and parking kit, including a 7.0-inch CarPlay/Android Auto screen, six speakers and reverse camera. Choose based on daily space versus equipment, not the tiny price gap.
Pick the Kia Picanto if you want the better-equipped hatchback, with a reverse camera, six airbags, six speakers and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Pick the Perodua Myvi if you need the roomier hatchback with 94 hp, a 277-litre boot and claimed 4.5 L/100 km economy.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Picanto RM47,079; Perodua Myvi RM46,500.
- Power and economy: Kia Picanto 83 hp and 5.8 L/100 km; Perodua Myvi 94 hp and 4.5 L/100 km.
- Length and wheelbase: Kia Picanto 3,595 mm and 2,400 mm; Perodua Myvi 3,895 mm and 2,500 mm.
- Boot space and fuel tank: Kia Picanto 255 litres and 35 litres; Perodua Myvi 277 litres and 36 litres.
- Airbags: Kia Picanto six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags; Perodua Myvi four airbags with front side airbags.
- Audio and reversing aid: Kia Picanto has a 7.0-inch touchscreen, six speakers and reverse camera; Perodua Myvi has a radio/MP3 player, four speakers and no…
Picanto
- 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six airbags, including front and rear curtain airbags
- Reverse camera, three rear sensors and auto headlamps
- 83 hp versus the Myvi’s 94 hp
- Claimed economy of 5.8 L/100 km versus 4.5 L/100 km
- 255-litre boot versus 277 litres
Myvi
- 94 hp from the 1.3-litre engine
- Claimed 4.5 L/100 km fuel consumption
- Larger 277-litre boot and full-size spare tyre
- Four airbags versus the Picanto’s six
- No reverse camera, against the Picanto’s camera and three rear sensors
- Four-speaker radio/MP3 unit lacks the Picanto’s touchscreen, CarPlay and Android Auto
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM47,079 | RM46,500✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | A-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70 | RM70 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,248 cc | 1,329 cc |
| Horsepower | 83 hp | 94 hp✓ |
| Torque | 122 Nm✓ | 121 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 71 mm | 72.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4-Speed Automatic | D-CVT |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | —✓ | 11.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.8 L/100 km | 4.5 L/100 km✓ |
| Co2 | 134 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,595 mm | 3,895 mm |
| Width | 1,595 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,485 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Weight | 983 kg | 985 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 255 litres | 277 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 175/65R14 | 175/65R14 |
| Rear Tyre | 175/65R14 | 175/65R14 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen N'blue HD Plus | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 14" Alloy | 14" 7-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 14" Alloy | 14" 7-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 | — |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Fixed Headrests |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-Zone | Manual Single-zone with Digital Controls and Memory |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Room lamp | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7.0-inch Touchscreen Radio with CD, MP3, AUX, USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 speakers | Radio/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Acoustic Glass Windscreen, Anti-snatch Handbag Hook |
| 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 & Myvi for sale
Picanto vs Myvi FAQ
Is the Kia Picanto or Perodua Myvi better?
The Perodua Myvi is the better choice for space, power and claimed fuel use: it has 94 hp, a 277-litre boot and 4.5 L/100 km. The Kia Picanto is better equipped, adding six airbags, a reverse camera and smartphone connectivity.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Picanto costs RM47,079 and the Perodua Myvi costs RM46,500, so the Picanto is RM579 more expensive.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Kia Picanto has more passive and parking safety equipment: six airbags, rear curtain airbags, a reverse camera and three rear sensors. The Myvi has four airbags and two rear sensors, but carries a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating.