New cars: what the critics say
Car magazine
Start totting up the Picanto’s competitors and “you’d be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed”. There’s the Renault Twingo, Volkswagen up! and Škoda Citigo, to name just a few. So this thirdgeneration model “has a fight on its hands” if it’s to make a splash in the supermini market. To help the new Picanto stand out, Kia has given it a redesign: the car is lighter and roomier than its predecessors.
Auto Express
“First impressions are good.” The Picanto is still Kia’s dinkiest car, but it’s now more eye-catching, with a bold grille and sharp detailing. The interior boasts “relatively plush” materials – and on high-end models, an attractive 7in touchscreen. Space inside is “impressive”, allowing adults to sit comfortably in the back and, at 255 litres, the boot outdoes those of its main rivals.
What Car?
The turbo-charged engine won’t arrive until later in the year, so for now there are two, rather mediocre, options: the 1.0-litre engine, which is good for “bumbling through town”; and the 1.2-litre, which is better in hilly areas. Comfortable and quiet to drive, the car benefits from quick, precise steering. This Picanto is a vast improvement – it’s good enough “to worry its best city car peers”.