Kia Picanto 1.2 MT (2018) vs Suzuki Carry 1.5 Dropside (2020)

Kia Picanto 1.2 MT (2018) vs Suzuki Carry 1.5 Dropside (2020): which should you buy?

For a Filipino buyer deciding between the 2018 Kia Picanto 1.2 MT and the 2020 Suzuki Carry 1.5 Dropside, the choice hinges on intended use. The Picanto, priced at ₱635,000, is a five‑door hatchback built on a unibody platform, offering a compact 3.595 m length, 2+3 seating and front‑wheel drive. Its 1.2‑litre engine produces 84 PS and 122 Nm, making it adequate for city commuting and occasional family trips, while the 5‑speed manual keeps running costs low. The Carry, slightly more expensive at ₱642,000, is a two‑door, body‑on‑frame pickup with rear‑wheel drive, a larger 1.5‑litre engine delivering 96 PS and 135 Nm, and a dropside bed for cargo. Its higher power and torque give better load‑carrying capability and off‑road confidence, but it sacrifices passenger space and comfort. Both carry the same 3‑year/100,000 km warranty. If you need a practical, comfortable daily driver for city streets and occasional family use, the Picanto is the better fit. If your priority is transporting goods, hauling equipment, or needing a work‑horse for small business tasks, the Carry’s payload advantage and stronger engine make it the logical choice.