Bring it on!

The homegrown Perodua Myvi 1.3L Premium X goes head to head with the Kia Picanto 1.2L EX.

AS consumers get more sophisticated by the day, they would not even bat an eyelid at bare-bones entry level cars even if these vehicle were offered at basement prices. Gone were the days when some cheap variants were offered with unpainted bumpers and steel wheels while others don’t even come with tachometer, power steering, central locking, or even a radio.

Taking note of this, Perodua has gone all out with chock-full of features and over-thetop styling for the third-generation Myvi.

The compact car, which was launched in mid-November last year, became a massive hit among Malaysians.

As of February 5, 2018, the new Myvi has racked up over 48,000 bookings and deliveries are close to 20,000 units.

About 83% of bookings for the new Myvi are for the 1.5-litre variants.

While Malaysian car buyers have voted loud and clear with their money, there are always alternatives to check out as automakers continue to spice up the market with increasingly attractive machines.

One example is the new Kia Picanto, also in its third generation, which had a global premiere at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

In January, the new Picanto was launched Malaysia in only one trim, the 1.2-litre EX automatic at RM49,888 on-the-road without insurance.

This time, we pit the new Picanto against the 1.3-litre Myvi (Premium X variant) priced at RM48,300 on-the-road without insurance.

Both cars have a 5-year warranty; with unlimited mileage for the Picanto and

150,000km (whichever is first) for the Myvi.

While its underbody still has a Daihatsu platform, the new Myvi has a distinctly Malaysian flavour as a Perodua team designed the entire upper body, which looks sleek and aerodynamic.

During its development, the Perodua design team also benchmarked the new Myvi against the Honda Jazz, Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Polo.

Meanwhile, the new Picanto came from the creative juices at Kia’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany where the mandate was to produce a bold and fun-looking urban city car with an assertive stance.

Now, size-wise, the Picanto is a smaller car than the Myvi and this is really obvious when you look at the rear legroom in both cars.

The Picanto has limited rear legroom while the Myvi offers an amazing amount of leg stretching space.

Regarding the cars’ dimensions, the smaller Picanto has a length of 3,595mm; width of 1,595mm; height of 1,485mm; and wheelbase of 2,400mm.

The Myvi has a length of 3,895mm; width of 1,735mm; height of 1,515mm; and wheelbase of 2,500mm.

Simply put, the Myvi is longer, wider and taller. As for cargo space, the Myvi wins again with 277 litres (Picanto has 255 litres).

Kia Picanto 1.2L EX

COMPACT cars have definitely come a long way and we are simply amazed at how much value is added into these cars while still maintaining a competitive price point.

This shoot-out revealed just how far both these models have grown with its eye-catching design, modern appointments like push start ignition and engine start/ stop; a long list of safety features; comfort and practicality.

Gone are the days when you get the bare-minimum at these prices, both of which are under RM50K.

And we dare say, the Kia Picanto offers an entry point to those who want a continental look, feel and drive without breakelse, ing the bank.

But like everything it has its pros and cons, so let’s jump straight into it.

Compared with the Myvi 1.3, the Picanto has a smaller displacement 1,248cc MPI (multi-point injection) engine producing 84ps and 122Nm of torque.

However, this doesn’t mean the Picanto is a laggard in acceleration and performance. On the contrary, the Picanto has a well-tuned powertrain that’s perky and eager to respond, and it is definitely not inferior to the Myvi.

However, the Picanto’s engine has to work harder and rev higher (compared with the Myvi 1.3), and on the highway at 80kph, the tachometer needle hovered at 2,300 to 2,400rpm.

At 90kph, the tachometer needle on the Picanto was at 2,600 to 2,700rpm.

At 100kph, the Picanto’s needle hovered at the 2,900rpm mark and at 110kph, it was at 3,250rpm.

Meanwhile, the fuel economy for the Picanto is rated at 14.7km per litre or 6.8 litres per 100km.

As for interior storage spaces and comfort features, the Picanto is not as friendly as the new Myvi.

On the Picanto, only the front doors have storage bins and there’s only one front seatback pocket.

There’s also only one USB port and conventional rotary knobs for the air-conditioning controls.

Here, there is only front reading lights, while the 1.3 Myvi has both front and rear reading lights.

Still, the Picanto is clearly the better equipped car as it adds a stylish floating-type 7-inch LCD touchscreen with Apple Carplay/Android Auto, mated to 6 audio speakers and a reverse camera with dynamic guide lines.

The Picanto also has automatic headlamps and LED daytime running lights, although it does not use LED headlamps (it has projector halogen headlamps).

As for fit and finish, the Picanto is the winner again, with plastics and materials that look higher-quality (compared with the Myvi) and pleasant to touch.

The interior does not feel cheap at all, and everything is wellscrewed and fitted nicely. Stylish large, vertical air vents at either end of the Picanto’s front compartment lend a sporty appearance.

In terms of safety kit, the Picanto is the better equipped here with 6 airbags, and all-round disc brakes. Also, the Picanto is definitely the better car with regards to driving refinement, and NVH (noise, vibra175/65 tion, harshness).

Both cars run on R14 tyres, with the Myvi 1.3 wearing Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres and the Picanto shod with Nexen N’blue HD Plus tyres.

The Picanto’s MDPS (motor-driven power steering) has a more direct feel, and is more chatty, well-tuned compared with the Myvi’s EPS (electric power steering) which feels numb and vague.

Regarding drive quality, the Picanto is also better compared with the Myvi 1.3 as it feels very planted at higher speeds, and deals well with irregular surfaces and badly maintained roads.

In the corners, the Picanto is also more composed and body roll is better controlled.

The Picanto is definitely the more solid, quiet and refined car to be seated in.

Perodua Myvi 1.3L (Premium X)

OUR test drive unit is the best kitted of the 1.3-litre Myvi variants, painted in a distinctive Peppermint Green.

Now, part of the new Myvi’s popularity stems from its impressive list of features.

Standard across all Myvi variants are LED headlamps with Follow Me Home function and manual levelling, Auto-off headlamps, LED rear combination lamps, acoustic windshield glass as well as pushstart ignition and keyless entry, and 4 audio speakers.

Extra features on this 1.3-litre Premium X variant include powered retractable wing mirrors, a Bluetooth head unit, leather-clad steering with audio and call receiver controls, chrome door outer/inner handles, and detachable rear seat headrests.

Compared with the Picanto, we think the new Myvi is better designed with regards to interior storage and comfort features.

As standard, the new Myvi has two USB ports; on the 1.3-litre Premium X and 1.5-litre variants,

Perodua has thoughtfulan ly provided extra USB port on the side of the driver’s seat, for the convenience of rear occupants.

There are storage bins on every door (for items like water bottles), two front seat-back pockets, two shopping or “teh tarik (pulled tea)” bag hooks on each front seat-back, and a anti-theft handbag hook on the side of the front passenger seat.

Each hook is designed to hold a maximum of 3kg.

The dashboard layout looks clean, especially with a digital screen and push buttons for air-conditioning control.

However, where fit and finish is concerned, there is still room for improvement (it’s a very minor niggle; for example, the plastic trim for the engine lid release/opener was not fitted properly).

Regarding safety, standard across all Myvi variants are four airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic brakeControl force distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), ISOFIX child seat anchors, and seat belt reminder (for all seats).

Extra kit here on this 1.3-litre Premium X variant include Hill-start Assist (HSA) and front corner sensors. Compared with the Picanto, the Myvi 1.3 is the more powerful car.

The 1.3-litre or 1,329cc engine on the new Myvi is shared with the Perodua Bezza, and outputs 70kW (95ps) at 6,000rpm and 121Nm at 4,000rpm.

Like the 1.5-litre Myvi engine, this 1.34-cylinder litre unit is also a aluminium block with dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligence).

Both the Myvi 1.3 and Picanto use a four-speed automatic gearbox. While both cars produce similar torque levels, the Myvi has more power.

Both the Myvi 1.3 and Picanto also have similar kerb weight, at close to a tonne.

With Eco Idle engine start-stop technology, the 1.3-litre Myvi can achieve 21.1km per litre. The idling-stop sysquite tem is smooth on the Myvi 1.3 - the engine start-stop is not abrupt or rough when the car is at a standstill, or when you ease your foot off the brake pedal. It’s so smooth that most of the time, you hardly notice the engine start-stop in operation.

With the added displacement, the Myvi 1.3’s engine does not need to run at higher revs (compared with the Picanto), and we noted that on the highway at 80kph, the tachometer needle hovered around 1,900rpm.

At 90kph, the tachometer needle on the Myvi 1.3 was at 2,100rpm.

At 100kph, the Myvi 1.3’s needle hovered at the 2,400rpm mark and at 110kph, it was at 2,700rpm.

The Myvi 1.3 also provides a pleasant drive, with smooth and steady acceleration.

VERDICT

THE Picanto gives a more enjoyable drive, and is better equipped with six airbags, and all-round disc brakes, and 7-inch LCD touchscreen mated to six speakers and a reverse camera with dynamic guide lines.

The interior of the Picanto also feels more plush while the Myvi 1.3’s silver-painted door armrests look unrefined.

However, the Myvi 1.3 provides more legroom, bigger storage space, and is also attractively packaged with powerful LED headlamps, useful interior storage options, and three USB ports.

The Myvi 1.3 also has the more powerful engine, fuel-saving idling engine start-stop technology and Perodua’s unique anti-theft handbag hook.

It’s a tough call to name a winner as both cars are very well engineered and generously kitted (in the entry-level segment).

The emotional side would tell us to pick the Picanto as this little car offers sportier drivability, better infortainment system and handling, while a more practical mind would select the Myvi 1.3.

For the family with kids and the need for cargo space, the Myvi would be the more obvious choice while for single/younger buyers, the Picanto would be quite an attractive option.

But in our final tally, the Picanto wins as by paying an extra RM1,588 - you get a fair bit of extra kit, and a more refined and enjoyable drive.

The inclusion of the toll card reader and Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A) from the Myvi 1.5 AV would have tipped the scales in favour of the Myvi 1.3.