Micro Hatch Showdown – Kia Picanto -v- Holden Spark Comparison Test
THE SALES FIGURES TELL THE STORY FOR THESE TINY TOTS; buyers prefer larger and more expensive hatches from the class above.
So the Holden Spark lands with an "if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-’em" mindset: it's more expensive than average, and has a larger-car feel thanks to its 1.4-litre engine, sizeable touchscreen and personalisation options. It feels, in fact, more like 'the class above'.
And maybe more buyers will consider micro cars if they feel less tiny and less 'tinny'.
Kia has gone a different way with its new Picanto. Rather than asking buyers to pay more, it has gone for the jugular on pricing. One specification level, with a single 1.25-litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission – no manual, no options, just a single driveaway pricetag.
Once on-road costs are factored in there is a $1700 pricing gap between the more affordable Kia Picanto and the latest Holden Spark. So should you spark-up or put that saving in your pocket?
TESTED |
Kia Picanto ($14,990 driveaway)
63kW/120Nm 1.25-litre petrol 4cyl | 4-speed automatic
Fuel use claimed: 5.3l/100km | tested: 7.6l/100km
Holden Spark LS CVT ($16,690 driveaway)
73kW/124Nm 1.4-litre petrol 4cyl | CVT automatic
Fuel use claimed: 5.5l/100km | tested: 8.1l/100km
OVERVIEW |
The Kia Picanto arrives from $14,990 driveaway – it’s as simple as that. But while getting a new car into your driveway for $15k is basement pricing, larger models such as the Mazda2 also retail for that exact price (albeit with a manual transmission).
However Kia is adamant that an automatic is what buyers want - and reckons it will tip buyers the Picanto's way.
Holden's second-generation Spark is no longer called the Barina Spark, it's now just 'Spark'. The base LT costs $13,990 plus on-road costs for a five-speed manual transmission or $14,990 driveaway nationwide. The LT with optional automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) as tested here, asks $15,690 (plus orc) or $16,690 driveaway.
So it's nearly $2k more than the opposing Picanto.
That’s getting expensive, particularly given that at the time of writing Holden was running out the larger Barina CD with a free auto for $15,990 driveaway. That means the larger Barina is cheaper than the smaller, newer Spark…
The question is, then, should buyers be tempted by either of these fresh micro hatchbacks with their decidedly different marketing strategies? Let’s find out…
THE INTERIORS |
Both the Kia Picanto and Holden Spark measure 3.595 metres long from their stubby noses to their pert backsides.
The larger Kia Rio and Holden Barina hatchbacks tack on around 450mm of body length compared to these little guys. Keep the above half-metre difference mind if you live in a parking deprived area; it could be the difference between snaring and missing a tight spot.