Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Battle of the two most popular city cars

Mar 12, 2023

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Wigo and Picanto - two most popular small city cars in the Philippines. Learn more about the similarities as well as differences between them through our Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto comparo.

1. Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Exterior

Wigo vs Picanto: Dimensions
   Toyota Wigo Kia Picanto  Difference +/- 
 Length  3660 mm  3595 mm  65 mm
 Width  1600 mm  1595 mm  5 mm
 Height  1520 mm  1495 mm  25 mm
Wigo vs Picanto: Exterior features
  Toyota Wigo  Kia Picanto 
 Grille  Hexagon large size  Chrome plated
 Headlight  Halogen  Halogen
 Daytime lights  Led  Led
 Fog lights  Yes  Yes
 Rearview mirror adjustment
 Power folding
 Integrated turn indicator
 Yes  Yes
 Car tires  175/65R14  175/50R15

According to multiple Toyota Wigo reviews, the Wigo owns such an impressive and dynamic design that one can easily distinguish it from other fellow hatchbacks. This different look comes from an elegant combination of exterior design such as a chrome-plated metal leaf grille, a large-size set of headlights extending towards the sides, hexagonal cavity bunkers, and a capo with floating edges.

toyota wigo vs kia picanto angular rear

Wigo vs Picanto in terms of exterior

Meanwhile, the Picanto gets a typical tiger-nose grille of Kia vehicles featured with a set of bug-eyed headlights. The bottom air cavity is finished with circular fog lamp sockets.

Both models have lightweight aerodynamic embossed lines, 15-inch wheels, rearview mirrors with integrated power-folding, and turn signals. Coming equipped with the same halogen headlight type, the Kia hatchback is also integrated with modern LED daytime running lights.

toyota wigo vs kia picanto front

Wigo vs Picanto: Looking from the front

Besides, the rear bumpers of the two vehicles are both nicely shaped, creating a unique look. While the Kia Picanto gets a pair of exhaust pipes, and LED tail lamps, the Toyota Wigo is no less impressive with rear glass heating.

Worth to note, both carmakers add overhead-integrated brake lights to the spoilers of their hatchbacks. This feature helps send recognizable signals to drivers from behind, ensuring better safety for road users.

toyota wigo 2020 side view

kia picanto 2020 side view

Can you spot the differences between the two car from their side profiles?

For this round, the both cars win car enthusiasts’ hearts since their appearance are similarly distinctive yet elegant.

>>> Related car comparos on Philtoyota:

2. Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Interior

Wigo vs Picanto: Interior
  Toyota Wigo  Kia Picanto 
 Steering wheel
  • Plastic steering wheel
  • Itegrated audio control keys
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Power steering
  • Nod
  • Integrated control buttons
  • 2-way adjustment
 Seat material  Fabric  Leather
 Folding seats  60:40  60:40
 Air conditioning  Manual  Automatic
 USB, Bluetooth, AUX, MP3, Radio  Yes  Yes

Moving to the interior design, it’s almost obvious to notice a lot of circular design details on the Toyota Wigo such as the buttons, the steering wheel, and the wind cavity. There are also a few silver borders added to bring a sense of luxury to this A-segment hatchback.

The center console of the Wigo forms a symmetrical, outward spread wings, incorporating multiple buttons, and a unique 3-spoke steering wheel. The instrument cluster is designed as a floating exhaust to create excitement for the driver when driving.

Here comes the plus point of the Picanto over the Wigo: while Toyota only equips its car with an urethane steering wheel, the Picanto is covered with high-quality leather and built-in audio controls.

toyota wigo dashboard

kia picanto dashboard

The dashboard of the Toyota Wigo (above) and Kia Picanto (below)

Speaking of other infotainment features, people who own a Toyota Wigo mostly appreciate the car for its intuitive instrument cluster, a multi-information display, a modern digital clock, a rear-view, and an anti-glare rearview mirror. Other amenities come as standard include manual air conditioner, audio CD, Radio, MP3 format, and USB/AUX connection.

Meanwhile, the Picanto has a remarkable piece of equipment when it comes to its DVD player, GPS, Wifi connection support.

And it would be a big mistake if we fail to mention the second row of this Kia car. The rear seats of the Picanto are capable of 60:40 fold, allowing car owners to expand the luggage compartment considerably if needed.

Both windows have electric adjustment, but the Picanto has an additional automatic feature on the driver's seat. In turn, the Wigo owners can be proud of the car’s luxurious chrome door handle.

3. Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Engine & Performance

Wigo vs Picanto: Engine & Performance
  Toyota Wigo   Kia Picanto
 Engine  6 Cylinder In-Line, 12 Valve, DOHC with VVT-i  Kappa 1.2 In-Line 4 Cylinder, Multi Point Injection
 Displacement  998 cc  1,248 cc
 Horsepower (Hp)  66  84
 Torque (Nm)  89  122
 Transmission  - 4-Speed A/T
 - 6-Speed M/T
 4-Speed A/T
 Drive train  FWD  FWD
 Front suspension  MacPherson Strut with Coil Spring  MacPherson Strut with Stabilizer + Gas + Coil Spring
 Rear suspension  Semi-Independent Torsion Axle Beam, Coil Spring  Coupled Torsion Beam Axle + Gas + Coil Spring
 Front brake  13" Disc (Ventilated)  256 x 20 Ventilated Disc
 Rear brake  Drums  8-inch Drum
 Seats  5  5
 Tire size  14" x 5J Alloy  185 / 55 R15 Alloy
 Fuel  Gasoline  Gasoline
 Euro-4  N/A  Yes

The Wigo engine block is 1KR-VE integrated VTT-i technology with optimal fuel economy, generating a power level of 66 hp, maximum torque of only 89 Nm.

Its rival, the Picanto also uses the KAPPA 125L engine, producing 84 hp and 122 Nm.

It is said that the Picanto can control the speed pretty well partly because its engine capacity is a bit better than the opponent.

kia picanto 2020 on road

toyota wigo 2020 on road

Both vehicles are capable of moving on city roads with a high level of smoothness

Both models offer two options for the customer, a 4-speed or 5-speed gearbox, as well as electronic steering, creating a sense of gentle steering, more accurate, very suitable for running on crowded, narrow Manila streets.

Two vehicles also share the design of the front disc, while the rear brake is in the traditional drum.

To close this Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto comparison in terms of engine and performance, let’s conclude that both vehicles are capable of moving on city roads with a high level of smoothness.

4. Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Safety Features

Wigo vs Picanto: Safety features
  Toyota Wigo   Kia Picanto
 Dual airbags  Yes  Yes
 3-pt. ELR seat belts  Yes  -
 Load limiter  Yes  -
 Pretensioner  -  -
 Isofix mounts  -  Yes
 ABS  Yes  Yes
 EBD  -  -
 BA  -  -
 Power locks  Yes  Yes

Both cars are equipped with 3-point seat belts. However, the difference lies in the airbags. While the Toyota Wigo 2020 is available for sale with 2 airbags for the front seat, the opponent only has 1 airbag for the driver. To compensate for that shortfall, however, the Picanto features electronic brake force distribution, along with the basic anti-lock braking system.

Regarding anti-theft security systems, Wigo owns the engine lock encryption while the Picanto has a remote control key and central door lock.

5. Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Price

As already mentioned in the first part of this article, both the Wigo and Picanto are popular choices of Pinoy car buyers when it comes to affordable city cars under P700k.

Let’s see how much it costs to own these small vehicles:

Wigo vs Picanto: Price in the Philippines
Toyota Wigo   Kia Picanto  
 Variant  Price  Variant  Price
 Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT  ₱590,000  Toyota Wigo 1.0 E MT  ₱568,000
 Kia Picanto 1.0 LX AT  ₱635,000  Toyota Wigo 1.0 G MT  ₱623,000
 Kia Picanto 1.2 EX MT  ₱700,000  Toyota Wigo 1.0 G AT  ₱658,000
 Kia Picanto 1.2 EX AT  ₱745,000  Toyota Wigo 1.0 TRD S AT  ₱700,000

>>> Check out the latest Toyota promos or contact your nearest Toyota dealerships for more financing options

6. Toyota Wigo vs Kia Picanto: Conclusion

So yes, each car has its own pros and cons. At the end of the day, it’s up to buyers’ needs and financial situation to decide which one fits them most.

These two models are both small and compact, making them easy to move around in narrow city streets. While its Korean rival, Picanto, is superior to the large displacement engine, the Wigo has the advantage of safety equipment, fuel-efficient engines.

If you want to use a car for a while and have it resold after 2 - 3 years, buy a Toyota Wigo since Toyota cars have always topped the list of high resale value vehicles.

toyota wigo vs kia picanto

Picanto or Wigo? It's up to your personal preference after all

We hope this review can be of some help to your car research and don’t forget to bookmark our Toyota stories page to get the latest car news as well as more useful car tips and advice.

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