rewrite this content with different wording and keep HTML tags

If you have a budget of 3 million PKR for a brand-new car, you might not be able to snag a Toyota or Honda. However, you still have two great choices for a budget-friendly hatchback: the Suzuki Cultus and the Kia Picanto. According to our research, these two are the best contenders in this price range (with the Picanto being slightly cheaper). Below, you’ll find a head-to-head comparison and our point of view on which one is the better choice.

Note: If you’re here for a specs sheet and comparison of technical features, please see this comparison table on Pakwheels. Because in this blog, we’ll focus solely on the editor’s POV and opinion.

Suzuki Cultus and Kia Picanto: Our POV

The second generation Suzuki Cultus was introduced in 2017, while Kia launched the Picanto in 2020. Despite their price tags exceeding 4 million PKR, both the Picanto and Cultus are still marketed as budget-segment compact hatchbacks.

These two compact hatchbacks are designed primarily to get you from point A to point B comfortably. However, they can sometimes also handle long trips with a small family. In terms of market presence, the Cultus is a strong contender. While the Picanto is indeed a solid car, its fuel-hungry 1.0-liter engine has resisted it from becoming a market favorite.

Fuel Economy and Running Cost

Winner: Suzuki Cultus

In this segment, fuel economy is a primary concern for buyers. You wouldn’t want a compact hatchback to have the fuel economy of a Reborn. Unfortunately, the Picanto falls short in this area. Its 1.0-liter engine achieves a maximum of only 10 km/l if driven very carefully. Under regular driving conditions, it drops to 8-9 km/l.

In contrast to Picanto, Cultus uses the same size engine, but it gets 13-16 Kmpl of economy in regular driving. That’s the main reason why Cultus is expensive, but it’s still the market’s favorite car. 

The logic is simple: if someone can afford a car that gives 8-9 km/l within a 4 million PKR budget, they’d likely opt for a Reborn, Civic X, or a used Alsvin. Why choose an entry-level hatchback that has the same fuel economy as a good-performance, older C-segment sedan?

Drive Quality

Winner: Kia Picanto

Both the Suzuki Cultus and the Kia Picanto are budget hatchbacks designed primarily for affordability and economical travel, not for providing driving pleasure. However, when compared, the Picanto takes the lead in terms of driving enjoyment.

According to user reviews and third-party comments, the Picanto’s build quality is generally considered superior, with better road grip and improved cabin noise isolation compared to the Cultus. While individual preferences may vary, most reviews show that the Picanto offers a more enjoyable driving experience.

Invoice Pricing

Winner: Kia Picanto

  • Picanto’s top variant, AT 1.0, cost 3.6 million PKR.
  • Cultus’s top variant, AGS, cost 4.5 million PKR. 

On the invoice, Picanto sounds like a great deal, and it’s probably the cheapest 1,000cc brand-new automatic car from a well-reputed company that money can get you in Pakistan.

Spare Parts Pricing and Availability

Winner: Suzuki Cultus

The Cultus enjoys greater popularity in the market, and third-party manufacturers typically produce parts for more popular models. As a result, Cultus has a clear advantage when it comes to the availability of spare parts, particularly those from third-party suppliers.

We all know that Picanto’s sales aren’t even close to Cultus; no demand means no spares availability. The only source to arrange Picanto’s parts is the official 3s dealership of Kia. 

Pricing is another thing; Cultus parts from 3s Suzuki are relatively cheaper than those of Picanto. Additionally, if you need more affordable parts, Kaabli and non-genuine parts are another option, but for Picanto, we don’t think Kaabli and non-genuine spares exist.