Australia’s once-cheapest new automobile is… as soon as once more Australia’s least expensive new automobile.
Observe: This text is predicated on our most up-to-date assessment of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no main modifications to pricing or specification since its publication.
We now have up to date key particulars resembling pricing and specs with the freshest data out there. Learn the most recent worth and specs article right here for all the small print.
WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the 2021 Kia Picanto S
The Kia Picanto was for a very long time the entry level into the new-vehicle market, however after its most up-to-date replace the pint-sized micro-car then misplaced the title to the previous-generation MG 3, which is now in runout. Nevertheless, the brand new MG 3 is so much pricier, handing the mantle of Australia’s least expensive new mannequin again to the Kia.
Because the entry level into the Korean model’s lineup, the Picanto packs in heaps of latest and fascinating options to justify the $1700 worth will increase, going heavy on the kind of energetic security tech the MG lacks.
The Picanto retains each guide and automated transmission choices, in addition to a two-variant vary construction to supply extra alternative than most fashions at this finish of the market. Right here we’re trialing the most affordable one – is it the decide?
How does the Kia Picanto examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Kia Picanto in opposition to equally sized autos.
Kia
Picanto
How a lot does the Kia Picanto price?
Right here we now have essentially the most inexpensive Picanto on sale – the Kia Picanto Sport – which begins from $20,690 drive-away with a five-speed guide transmission, as examined.
| Mannequin | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| Kia Picanto Sport 5MT | $20,690 |
| Kia Picanto Sport 4AT | $21,690 |
| Kia Picanto GT-Line 5MT | $22,490 |
| Kia Picanto GT-Line 4AT | $23,490 |
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, take a look at our comparability instrument.
What’s the Kia Picanto like on the within?
Adjustments within the cabin are rather less dramatic than the outside, however there are fairly a number of upgrades right here.
The basics are the identical however there are small modifications like a brand new LCD instrument cluster that’s extra neatly built-in into the binnacle than the previous analogue dials, and the seat cloth has been up to date.
Smaller particulars embody the inclusion of USB-C cost ports, in addition to further buttons on the steering wheel and to the suitable of the driving force’s knee for relevant security programs which were added with this replace.
Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in ‘premium’ leatherette as commonplace, as is the gear shifter.
The leap from the previous S to the Sport is roughly $1700, however there’s positively a extra upmarket vibe to numerous factors of contact and interplay, in addition to the extra fulsome tech suite that additionally helps justify the value hike.
It’s all nonetheless fairly primary and austere, but it surely’s useful and enticing sufficient given the value level.
The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen gives wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which really works correctly now in comparison with older iterations, and the guide air-con is surprisingly highly effective as I discovered on a sizzling summer season day.
Storage is sweet due to a dual-tier shelf underneath the dashboard, augmented by 12V, USB-A and USB-C ports, in addition to adjustable cupholders and an open tray within the centre console.
All the things can be ergonomically positioned and positioned, with the centre stack angled barely in the direction of the driving force and all the things effectively inside arm’s attain – simply don’t go searching for smooth plastics, as a result of there are none.
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GT-Line
The again seat continues to shock, given you’ll be able to really match actual folks there regardless of the Picanto’s tiny dimensions.
I managed to suit two of my buddies within the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto’s tall and boxy proportions imply even somebody my peak (6’1″) can snugly match – an extended street journey is perhaps pushing it with common use although.
Being a finances city-car, there aren’t a complete lot of again seat facilities right here. You get the requisite ISOFIX baby seat anchors on the outboard seats in addition to top-tethers throughout all three, however there are not any air vents or folding centre armrest.
In equity, that’s to be anticipated of a car on this section, however value calling out should you’re planning to make use of the second row considerably typically.
Behind these rear seats there’s 255 litres of cargo capability, which will be expanded to 1010 litres with the rear seats folded. That’s greater than a Mazda 2 Hatch (250L) or Suzuki Swift (242L), which is spectacular given the Picanto’s smaller measurement.
There’s a fairly large step up from the boot ground to the seat backs, although. All variations of the Kia Picanto function a short lived space-saver spare wheel.
| Dimensions | Kia Picanto Sport |
|---|---|
| Size | 3595mm |
| Width | 1595mm |
| Peak | 1485mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400mm |
| Cargo capability | 255 litres – seats up 1010 litres – seats down |
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, take a look at our comparability instrument.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
| Mannequin | Picanto 1.25 MPI |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.25L 4cyl petrol |
| Energy | 62kW (6000rpm) |
| Torque | 122Nm (4000rpm) |
| Transmission | 5-speed guide |
| Pushed Wheels | Entrance |
| Weight | 976kg (tare) |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 5.4L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 6.0L/100km |
| Gasoline tank | 35 litres |
| Minimal gas requirement | 91 RON |
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, take a look at our comparability instrument.
How does the Kia Picanto drive?
The majority of Picanto consumers go for the dearer four-speed auto, so it’s nice that Kia Australia has stored the five-speed guide on sale.
Why? Properly, for starters manuals have gotten more durable and more durable to search out nowadays and, for lots of youthful motorists shopping for their first automobile, this might be a good way to get into an inexpensive new automobile and likewise observe ‘driving stick’.
It additionally offers you extra management and an added ratio for the beautiful primary and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine, which is now the only powertrain given the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo mill from the outgoing vary has been axed.
With simply 62kW of energy and 122Nm of torque on faucet, this little Kia isn’t any pocket rocket – particularly when peak torque doesn’t come on-line till 4000rpm. Nevertheless, this mini-car solely weighs 976kg, so you will get it transferring if it’s good to push it.
I haven’t pushed an atmo guide for some time, so like me you would possibly discover it’s a must to row by way of the gears so much to maintain the Picanto on the boil. It’s extra involving and helps you actually get in contact with what the automobile’s doing, but it surely will also be fairly tiresome in stop-start metropolis visitors.
The Picanto has a really gentle clutch and an virtually wobbly shift motion, which early on is perhaps just a little jarring, however you quickly be taught to embrace the allure that comes with driving this little unit round city.
It revs out willingly and is pretty responsive, however I’d ignore the shift indicator within the cluster as a result of it encourages you to alter gears at round 2000rpm, which is rarely going to work in hilly circumstances. Bear in mind you don’t get peak torque till 4000rpm and peak energy till 6000rpm.
Whereas the brand new ‘primary’ digital instrumentation appears neat within the driver’s binnacle, I really feel this can be a step backwards for the guide because it’s tough at occasions to gauge what number of revs you’ve got on board on take-off and the way shortly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style show.
Additional, the imprecise clutch and shift actions can imply it’s very simple to over-rev the Picanto on takeoff and between gearshifts. Having hill begin help positively helps when setting off on an incline.
It handles effectively too. That chunky leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and correct steering calibration make this fairly a enjoyable little factor to punt round metropolis streets.
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GT-Line proven
It rides fairly effectively in addition, erring on the firmer facet however doing a very good job of balancing consolation and dynamics. The Sport’s little 14-inch alloys and 175/65 tyres add a bit extra cushioning than the GT-Line’s 195/45 R16s as effectively.
The Picanto can be surprisingly settled on the freeway for such just a little automobile, helped by Kia Australia’s native tuning of the suspension and steering, maybe in addition to the actual fact the Picanto is bought in markets like Europe.
Whereas it takes a heavy foot to get anyplace shortly, you don’t really feel such as you’re in some harmful little buzzbox that’ll get blown away by passing buses and vehicles. It’s surprisingly sure-footed and assured at 100 clicks.
Additional, the five-speed guide’s lengthy remaining ratio means it’s not spinning away at effectively above 3000rpm like it’s within the four-speed auto. It simply feels prefer it has longer legs in these eventualities.
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GT-Line proven
In contrast to the MG 3, which lacks any type of trendy energetic security tech for now, the Picanto has a slew of contemporary help options that ought to not solely enable you to on the street but in addition give mother and father peace of thoughts when their teen got down to drive on this massive scary world.
AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help in addition to lane preserve help all actively intervene to keep away from collisions or drifting out of 1’s lane. You even have Lane Following Help, which is able to actively preserve you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening manner.
There’s additionally auto high-beam for the usual projector-type halogen headlights. Sadly, LED models are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this within the Picanto, however maybe not fashions increased up in Kia’s vary.
Observe that Kia doesn’t provide the Picanto with a extra refined AEB system incorporating pedestrian and bike owner detection – nor adaptive cruise management – regardless of it being out there within the Korean home market. In all probability nitpicking for this explicit variant.
What do you get?
Picanto Sport highlights:
- 14-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
- Halogen headlights
- Halogen daytime working lights
- Auto high-beam
- Auto headlights
- LED rear fog lights (NEW)
- Area-saver spare
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors (NEW)
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen (NEW)
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel (NEW)
- Leatherette-wrapped shifter (NEW)
- 4-way guide driver’s seat adjustment
- Material upholstery
- 3 x top-tether, 2 x ISOFIX factors
- Guide air-con
- 4 x audio system, 2 x entrance tweeters
- Cruise management
- Energy home windows
- Day/evening rear-view mirror
- 1 x entrance USB-A outlet
- 1 x entrance USB-C outlet
- 1 x entrance 12V outlet
Picanto GT-Line provides:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights (NEW)
- LED daytime working lights
- LED tail-lights (NEW)
- GT-Line exterior bundle
- Energy-folding, heated exterior mirrors (NEW)
- Leatherette upholstery
- 6-way guide driver seat (incl. peak alter)
- 3-spoke ‘Sports activities’ steering wheel (NEW)
- Metallic pedals (NEW)
- 1 x rear USB-C outlet (NEW)
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, take a look at our comparability instrument.
Is the Kia Picanto protected?
The Kia Picanto was awarded a four-star ANCAP security score primarily based on 2017 Euro NCAP assessments, however that score expired on January 1, 2024.
| Class | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 64 per cent |
| Susceptible street person safety | 54 per cent |
| Security help | 47 per cent |
ANCAP and Euro NCAP famous that the Picanto’s baby occupant and pedestrian safety scores fell underneath the thresholds required for a full five-star security score.
Commonplace security tools consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot help (NEW)
- Driver consideration warning
- Ahead collision warning
- Excessive Beam Help
- Lane Observe Help (NEW)
- Lane preserve help (NEW)
- Main car departure alert
- Rear cross-traffic help (NEW)
- Rear occupant alert
- Reversing digicam
- Rear parking sensors
- Secure exit warning
How a lot does the Kia Picanto price to run?
The Picanto is backed by Kia’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Just like the Korean model’s wider lineup, Kia gives seven years of roadside help and capped-price servicing for seven years; upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.
| Working prices | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | As much as 8 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Whole capped-price service price | $3069 – 7 years |
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, take a look at our comparability instrument.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Picanto
Australians love to purchase the most important and most costly variations of most fashions, however for these extra pragmatic consumers that take the “proper measurement, proper measurement” strategy, the bottom Picanto has so much to supply.
For simply over $20,000 drive-away you’ve got all of the bases coated by way of driver help and infotainment applied sciences, in addition to a reasonably economical and uncomplicated drivetrain that’s low-cost to run.
Based mostly on my real-world expertise, you need to have the ability to obtain over 550km between fills of the tiny 35-litre tank, which with 91 RON unleaded will make this one of many least expensive and most effective methods to get round.
Props to Kia for decking out the brand new Picanto with energetic security options like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists, in addition to energetic lane centring. Whereas some could argue “you shouldn’t have your license should you want these items”, it’s an ideal security web that the younger, previous and everybody in between will admire in the event that they ever want it.
You actually don’t want to spend up for the GT-Line both, except you really need the extra premium aesthetics and LED lighting, as a result of the basics of this new Picanto Sport are greater than stable sufficient for the coin.
Moreover, should you’re available in the market for correctly finances motoring, there’s little else to select from except you purchase used.
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