Kia Picanto
Korean city car is a genuine threat to VW up! and Skoda Citigo
THE Kia Picanto was first launched in the UK in 2004 as the brand’s smallest car. Cheap and cheerful was its selling point, and it offered buyers style, kit and space, as well as low running costs.
That model was replaced in 2011 by the sporty Mk2, which quickly gained momentum in the city car market. Since then, newer rivals such as the Skoda Citigo, Hyundai i10 and Renault Twingo have stolen the limelight by offering similar value, but with significantly upgraded interiors and more grown-up driving experiences.
This new Picanto aims to right the old car’s wrongs, with a spacious cabin, more equipment and improved customisation. Three engines will be offered, including a three-cylinder turbo for the first time.
First impressions are good. While it’s still recognisable as Kia’s dinkiest design, the Picanto has been thoroughly updated to bring it in line with the latest Rio supermini and Sportage SUV. It’s an eye-catching car, with a bold tiger nose grille, sharp details and optional LED daytime running lights.
Space inside is impressive. While the engineers have only added an extra 15mm to the wheelbase, room in the back is generous. The car is no longer overall, but the extra distance between the front and rear axles allows adults to sit comfortably. The 255-litre boot is also bigger than you’ll find in the Picanto’s rivals. A Ford Ka+ offers a bigger load bay with the seats up, but fold them flat and the Kia trumps it, thanks to its 1,010-litre total capacity.
The wheels have been pushed to the corners for a more dynamic look and a tighter turning circle. This is useful around town, where it matches the Skoda Citigo for ease of use. Visibility is also good, with those short overhangs playing in your favour when parking and manoeuvring.
Out on the open road, the Picanto feels solid and refined. We tried the entry-level 1.0-litre non-turbo, which felt a little wheezy but not as slow as the figures suggest. The lack of torque is the Kia’s biggest problem, as it struggles on taller inclines. A Volkswagen up! is more fun, but the new Picanto feels more grown up. On our car’s 15-inch wheels the ride was compliant without being too soft, dealing with rough surfaces well and never losing composure. The 16-inch rims on GT Line cars create a harsher ride, however.
Kia’s new 98bhp 1.0 T-GDI isn’t due to arrive in the UK until the end of 2017, but we did try the four-cylinder 1.25-litre car
“This new Picanto aims to right the old car’s wrongs, with more equipment and customisation”
on an identical route. While it was better suited to the hills above Barcelona, the difference is marginal – unless you regularly travel with four people on board, the 1.0 will be more than acceptable for your needs.
Quality is much improved, with relatively plush materials on the doors and dash. Black cloth comes as standard, but optional interior packs add a dash of colour. Our car featured a lairy blue – it won’t be to all tastes, but it certainly stands out. The seven-inch touchscreen on top-spec models (likely grade 3 and above) looks great and is more upmarket than the phone cradle you’ll find in an up!. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are both included with the screen, giving the Picanto the tech edge. The big black buttons that flank the display are logically laid out, too.
Whether the Picanto sinks or swims will largely come down to costs, and while exact prices and specs haven’t been revealed, we’re expecting an increase of around £500 spec-for-spec over the old model. That means an entry-level Picanto 1 should cost a little over £9,000, while mid-spec 2 and 3 models will offer impressive kit for a little extra outlay. We’re told a top-of-the-range GT Line with the 1.25-litre petrol engine will start from less than £14,000, with the turbo commanding a premium of around £1,000. For comparison, a five-door Citigo costs £8,845 – and that car is available on some tempting zero per cent finance deals. As a result, Kia will have to pull out all the stops to match its rivals punch for punch.
At least the Picanto can challenge it for running costs. The standard 1.0-litre car emits a Citigo-matching 101g/km. However, there are a number of tweaks that affect the car’s CO2 output, and thus its projected fuel economy. If you opt for the four-seater you’ll save 20kg – shaving 10g/km off emissions and boosting fuel economy by 6.4mpg. Pennies make the pounds, after all.