Australia’s once-cheapest new automotive is… as soon as once more Australia’s least expensive new automotive.
Notice: This text relies on our most up-to-date assessment of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no main adjustments to pricing or specification since its publication.
We now have up to date key particulars akin to pricing and specs with the hottest data accessible. Learn the newest 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. Nonetheless, 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 recent 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 computerized transmission choices, in addition to a two-variant vary construction to supply extra selection 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 automobiles.
Kia
Picanto
How a lot does the Kia Picanto price?
Right here now we 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, try our comparability software.
What’s the Kia Picanto like on the within?
Modifications 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 adjustments like a brand new LCD instrument cluster that’s extra neatly built-in into the binnacle than the previous analogue dials, and the seat material has been up to date.
Smaller particulars embrace the inclusion of USB-C cost ports, in addition to extra buttons on the steering wheel and to the best of the motive force’s knee for relevant security methods which were added with this replace.
Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in ‘premium’ leatherette as customary, 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 worth hike.
It’s all nonetheless fairly primary and austere, however it’s purposeful and engaging sufficient given the worth level.
The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen affords 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 scorching summer season day.
Storage is nice due to a dual-tier shelf beneath 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 direction of the motive force and all the things nicely inside arm’s attain – simply don’t go on the lookout for comfortable plastics, as a result of there are none.
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GT-Line
The again seat continues to shock, given you possibly can really match actual individuals there regardless of the Picanto’s tiny dimensions.
I managed to suit two of my pals within the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto’s tall and boxy proportions imply even somebody my top (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 an entire 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 automobile on this phase, however value calling out for those who’re planning to make use of the second row considerably usually.
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 brief 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, try our comparability software.
What’s beneath 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) |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 5.4L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 6.0L/100km |
| Gas tank | 35 litres |
| Minimal gas requirement | 91 RON |
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, try our comparability software.
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 saved the five-speed guide on sale.
Why? Properly, for starters manuals have gotten tougher and tougher to seek out today and, for lots of youthful motorists shopping for their first automotive, this could possibly be an effective way to get into an inexpensive new automotive and in addition observe ‘driving stick’.
It additionally provides you extra management and an added ratio for the gorgeous primary and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine, which is now the only real 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 is not any pocket rocket – particularly when peak torque doesn’t come on-line till 4000rpm. Nonetheless, this mini-car solely weighs 976kg, so you may get it shifting if you might want 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 automotive’s doing, however it will also be fairly tiresome in stop-start metropolis visitors.
The Picanto has a really mild clutch and an nearly wobbly shift motion, which early on is perhaps somewhat 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 isn’t going to work in hilly circumstances. Be mindful you don’t get peak torque till 4000rpm and peak energy till 6000rpm.
Whereas the brand new ‘primary’ digital instrumentation appears to be like neat within the driver’s binnacle, I really feel this can be a step backwards for the guide because it’s troublesome at occasions to gauge what number of revs you have got on board on take-off and the way shortly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style show.
Additional, the obscure 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 nicely 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 nicely as well, erring on the firmer facet however doing 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 nicely.
The Picanto can be surprisingly settled on the freeway for such somewhat automotive, helped by Kia Australia’s native tuning of the suspension and steering, maybe in addition to the very fact the Picanto is bought in markets like Europe.
Whereas it takes a heavy foot to get wherever 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 ultimate ratio means it’s not spinning away at nicely above 3000rpm like it’s within the four-speed auto. It simply feels prefer it has longer legs in these situations.
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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 recent help options that ought to not solely show you how to on the street but additionally give dad and mom peace of thoughts when their teen got down to drive on this huge scary world.
AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic help in addition to lane hold help all actively intervene to keep away from collisions or drifting out of 1’s lane. You even have Lane Following Help, which can actively hold you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening means.
There’s additionally auto high-beam for the usual projector-type halogen headlights. Sadly, LED items are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this within the Picanto, however maybe not fashions larger up in Kia’s vary.
Notice 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 accessible within the Korean home market. In all probability nitpicking for this specific variant.
What do you get?
Picanto Sport highlights:
- 14-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
- Halogen headlights
- Halogen daytime operating 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 (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/night time 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 operating lights
- LED tail-lights (NEW)
- GT-Line exterior package deal
- Energy-folding, heated exterior mirrors (NEW)
- Leatherette upholstery
- 6-way guide driver seat (incl. top 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, try our comparability software.
Is the Kia Picanto protected?
The Kia Picanto was awarded a four-star ANCAP security score based mostly on 2017 Euro NCAP checks, however that score expired on January 1, 2024.
| Class | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Youngster 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 beneath the thresholds required for a full five-star security score.
Normal security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot help (NEW)
- Driver consideration warning
- Ahead collision warning
- Excessive Beam Help
- Lane Comply with Help (NEW)
- Lane hold help (NEW)
- Main automobile departure alert
- Rear cross-traffic help (NEW)
- Rear occupant alert
- Reversing digicam
- Rear parking sensors
- Protected 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 affords seven years of roadside help and capped-price servicing for seven years; upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.
| Operating 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, try our comparability software.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Picanto
Australians love to purchase the largest and costliest 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 have got all of the bases lined when it comes to 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 must be capable of 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 best 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 might argue “you shouldn’t have your license for those who want these items”, it’s an important security web that the younger, previous and everybody in between will recognize 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.
In addition to, for those who’re available in the market for correctly finances motoring, there’s little else to select from except you purchase used.
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