Hyundai I10 Or Kia Picanto?

[bushbaby_de]

I'm looking to buy a new small car and just can't make my mind up. I've never had a car before so am finding it all a little bewildering! Can anyone give some advice please?

The likely choice is:

Kia Picanto '2' 5 door 1.25 petrol manual ISG £9945
Hyundai i10 Active 1.2 petrol manual £7795

Now the pricing should make it a no-brainer - but what is actually the different for the money? I am thinking there must be some massive differences for that price gap but I can't quite fathom what they are!!! If I went for the cheaper car, what would I be missing out on that I could have got if I went for the more expensive one?

I need it for urban commuting, short distance work trips and occasional longer trips (100 miles each way) for visiting family.

Any knowledgeable advice would be much appreciated, please and thank you!

[Fanriffic]

Best way to find out which is best for you is to take both cars for a test drive.

Also view the Kia & Hyundai websites to help you find out more about the models and the specifications and equipment fitted to your preferred models.

I would happily have either of the two but favour the Kia just for looks alone and the 7 year warranty. Take those test drives.

[Hopkirk]

Incidentally Hyundai part owns Kia.

[DJHawkes]

kia are a total rip off when it comes to parts and labour and anything to do with faults on the computer system

[Fanriffic]

Wow. That's good to know DJH.
Maybe a Corsa would be better as they are cheap to run and you get a lifetime guarantee as first owner.

[SpikeyBush]

I've found parts for Korean cars very expensive. For example air inlet hose £75 for a Daewoo, the same part on an Astra change out of £20
Consider a Seat Mii, FIAT 500, VW UP, Vauxhall Adam or Skoda Citigo. They may be a bit dearer to buy in the first place but servicing will be cheaper and bear in mind Korean cars depreciate like a stone chucked off a cliff.

Also if that unhinged dictator in North Korea nukes the south, spares for a Kia or Hyundai may be a bit thin on the ground.

[bushbaby_de]

Thanks for your answers so far. To address some of the points raised:

I'm going to be doing test drives but I am interested in the difference in spec between the two models. I have already looked at the websites but can't see anything that would make such a big price difference.

I would be buying from new so would get either a 5 or 7 year warranty and 3 year servicing pack (£300/£350) so servicing costs etc aren't really an issue.

I can't afford more than £10,000 so a corsa isn't an option. That also rules out most of the cars that Spikey listed. Incidentially the UP only comes in a 1.0l engine.

I'm confused about the comments regarding depreciation because from the research I've done they both seem to hold their value rather well.

So I'm still unsure! I was really hoping someone who knows their cars would come along and do me a pros and cons list!!!!

[jake-the-peg]

Bushbaby - This is one of the best uk websites reviewing cars - especially the what's good and what's bad tabs - have a look

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/kia/picanto-2011/ for the kia

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/hyundai/i10-2008/ for the Hyundai

[jake-the-peg]

The wat car reviews are worth looking at too

Looks like there's a new version of the Hyundai out in 2014 - which might hit the resale price of one you buy now as you'd be selling the 'old version' don't know if that's important to you

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/hyundai/i10-hatchback/summary/25771-5


http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/kia/picanto-hatchback/summary/25770-5

[bushbaby_de]

Jake - maybe you've just hit the nail on the head as to why the i10 is so discounted?! So in 3 years time the Kia would hold its value better, assuming there isn't a newer version of the picanto by then? This makes it even more important for me to know the spec difference because if they are the same car I'll go for the cheaper one - I'm more worried about monthly affordability than resale value.

[jake-the-peg]

OK well (providing I have the exact versions correct here's a comparison)

http://www.whatcar.com/Review/EditionCompare?newOrUsed=New&makeId=11285&modelId=11614&editionId=38100&makeId1=10131&modelId1=10523&;editionId1=37094&;makeId2=&modelId2=&editionId2=

Looks like the Kia has better equipment like climate control, heated seats and powered folding mirrors

Intersetingly the Kia has an alarm lacking on the Hyundai - that might affect insurance depending on where you live

[bushbaby_de]

Jake, your links are all excellent, thank you so much! Yes you did choose the correct models. So - would you pay nearly £2K more for the Picanto?!

[jake-the-peg]

Well I'm not you!

I suggest if you haven't done so yet you need to go see the cars and look carefully at what you're getting.

Look at the build quality - does the Hyundai feel cheap and tinny compared to the Kia? Is it noisier on the road ? Are the seats equally comfortable? the driving position equally good?

If it's not comfortable for you - you'll spend the next 2 years wishing you'd bought the Kia.

But if they both feel comfortable and Air con and the trimming's not an issue for you then I'm sure you can use two grand elsewhere.

Don't forget though to check the prices with your insurance company probably very similar but you might be surprised

[bushbaby_de]

Thanks so much Jake. Test drives booked for both for new weekend - I'll report back!

[bushbaby_de]

Well the decision has been made and the Kia is on order! The i10 felt cheaper inside, doesn't look as good outside, was missing some key features I wanted like an alarm and electronic folding mirrors, didn't have full adjustment options for the driver seat, had a shorter warranty and is actually more expensive to insure! And you were right that there was a deep discount as it is being replaced next year. If I had a smaller budget the i10 would have been the one, but as I could spend a bit more the Picanto was definitely worth it.

Thanks for all your advice folks, much appreciated.

[tonyav]

Well done bushbaby, enjoy.