If you have a budget of 3 million PKR for a brand-new car, you might not be able to afford a Toyota or Honda. However, you still have two solid options for budget-friendly hatchbacks: the Suzuki Cultus and the Kia Picanto. Both of these models are strong contenders in this price range, with the Picanto being slightly more affordable. Below, we’ll provide a head-to-head comparison and share our perspective on which one might be the better choice.
Suzuki Cultus vs. Kia Picanto: Our Perspective
The second generation Suzuki Cultus made its debut in 2017, while the Kia Picanto entered the market in 2020. Despite their price tags now exceeding 4 million PKR, both the Cultus and Picanto are still marketed as budget-friendly compact hatchbacks.
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These hatchbacks are designed primarily for comfortable daily commuting, although they can also handle longer trips with a small family. In terms of market presence, the Cultus has established itself as a strong player. While the Picanto is a capable car, its fuel-hungry 1.0-liter engine has limited its popularity among buyers.
Fuel Economy and Running Costs
Winner: Suzuki Cultus
Fuel economy is a critical consideration for buyers in this segment. No one wants a compact hatchback with the fuel consumption of a much larger vehicle. Unfortunately, the Picanto struggles in this area. Its 1.0-liter engine achieves a maximum of just 10 km/l with careful driving. Under typical conditions, it drops to around 8-9 km/l.
In contrast, the Cultus, equipped with the same engine size, offers significantly better fuel efficiency, delivering between 13-16 km/l in regular driving. This fuel economy is a major reason why the Cultus, despite being more expensive, remains a favorite in the market.
The reasoning is straightforward: if someone can afford a car with 8-9 km/l fuel consumption within a 4 million PKR budget, they might prefer a used Reborn, Civic X, or Alsvin. Why opt for an entry-level hatchback with the same fuel economy as a more powerful, older C-segment sedan?
Driving Quality
Winner: Kia Picanto
Both the Suzuki Cultus and the Kia Picanto are budget hatchbacks designed primarily for affordability and economical travel rather than driving pleasure. However, when comparing the two, the Picanto comes out ahead in terms of driving experience.
User reviews and third-party assessments generally praise the Picanto for its superior build quality, better road grip, and improved cabin noise isolation compared to the Cultus. While individual preferences may vary, most feedback indicates that the Picanto offers a more enjoyable driving experience overall.
Invoice Pricing
Winner: Kia Picanto
The top variant of the Picanto, the AT 1.0, is priced at 3.6 million PKR, while the top variant of the Cultus, the AGS, costs 4.5 million PKR. On paper, the Picanto seems like a better deal, making it probably the most affordable brand-new 1,000cc automatic car from a reputable company available in Pakistan.
Spare Parts Pricing and Availability
Winner: Suzuki Cultus
The Cultus has a strong market presence, and third-party manufacturers typically produce parts for more popular models. This gives the Cultus a significant advantage in terms of spare parts availability, particularly from third-party suppliers.
The Picanto’s sales numbers are not on par with the Cultus, which means there’s less demand for spare parts. As a result, the only reliable source for Picanto parts is through Kia’s official 3S dealerships.
Pricing is another factor: parts for the Cultus from Suzuki’s 3S dealerships are generally cheaper than those for the Picanto. Additionally, if you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, you can find Kaabli (used) and non-genuine parts for the Cultus, which are virtually non-existent for the Picanto.
