Kia Picanto GT 6339
Kia Picanto GT 3889
Kia Picanto GT 5489
Kia Picanto GT 3794
Kia Picanto GT 2971
Dave Humphreys3 Apr 2017
REVIEW

Kia Picanto 2017 Review

Third-generation Kia Picanto micro-car brings a fresh new look and even sporting intentions from the GT Line version
Review Type
International Launch
Review Location
Barcelona, Spain

It's only been on sale in Australia for a year, but Kia's current Picanto micro-car is about to be replaced by an all-new model. After some five years in development, Kia's smallest model brings much fresher styling but few dimensional changes, although it looks and feels far roomier on the inside. Significant changes have taken place under the metalwork too, with the car’s new chassis providing an opportunity to inject near-class-leading handling.

It's about space
Almost every new generation of car these days seems to follow the same path of losing weight while growing in size. The average compact hatch has increased in length by 200mm in the past decade, but no such luxury exists for the A-segment 'supermini', so Kia has had to be smart in adding to the sense of space inside the Picanto.

A new platform has enabled the engineers to stretch the wheelbase by 15mm -- to a total of 2400mm – thereby adding more cabin space. The total length remains the same as its predecessor's at a compact 3595mm, so you’re unlikely to struggle getting this Kia Picanto into a parking spot.

Kia Picanto GT 5489

That small stretch between the wheels, combined with shorter front and rear overhangs, gives the car a better visual stance, too. Other clever styling tricks, such as the double wheel-arch liners, give the impression of the car having more width than it actually does.

The rounded appearance of the previous Picanto has evolved into a look that is more in line with the rest of the Kia range. Elements such as the signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille design that flows into the headlights reflect similar cues of larger cars in the range.

The bi-projection headlights also include a distinctive LED daytime running light that is quite noticeable in the rear-view mirror of a car in front, plus LED indicators, which Kia reckons is a first for the segment.

Kia Picanto GT 2971

Straight line
For the sportier GT Line variant tested here, the front fog lights move to the bottom corners of the bumper’s larger air-intake and on either side are scoops for the 'air curtain' design, which channels air through and around the front wheels, just like BMW does.

These intakes feature a contrasting piece of colour trim that also runs along the side sills. At the rear of the car, a similarly sporty bumper gets a more angular treatment including a faux diffuser that leaves enough room for the dual exhausts on the right.

As attractive as the GT Line models look, the standard versions are still handsome, and many traditional Kia Picanto buyers might prefer the more subtle styling.

When it comes to ingress and egress, Kia has done a decent job. The rear doors aren’t very long, but they do open to a wide angle, so getting the little ones (or mates that aren't quite as flexible as they used to be) into the back shouldn’t be too tricky.

KIA Picanto 0205

In the rear, head- and legroom aren't bad for the sector, helped by an almost flat floor across the back. Kia provides three seatbelts in the back, but it's realistically only comfortable for two adults.

One other smart little feature is a small slot on the outer side of each rear seat. This is so that you can slide in the seatbelt buckle to stop it from rattling against the door when it’s not in use. Also on the practicality front, the boot has grown to 255 litres -- up from 200 litres on the old model -- while the rear seat-back folds in a 60:40 split to expand the cargo area to 1010 litres.

KIA Picanto 0222

Inside and out
The previous Picanto didn’t have much of an interior to write home about, but Kia has comprehensively addressed this for the new model. A new 7.0-inch free-standing infotainment screen takes pride of place, while the newly designed climate controls occupy a lower section of the centre console that also includes the option of a wireless phone charging tray.

New interior colour packs allow for a bit more personalisation, matching different colour trims with glossy painted door panels and air-vent surrounds. Kia has even gone to great lengths to highlight its new vanity mirrors in the sun visor: apparently they draw inspiration from Hollywood-style make-up mirrors and use three different light sources to “create perfect ambient light”. Right.

When you've finished checking your lippy, you'll find the driving position is comfortable, with a steering column that is adjustable for height but not reach (not unusual in this sector). The pedal box is big enough to leave proper space to rest your left foot though.

KIA Picanto 0244

Ergonomically speaking everything is comfortably within easy reach and there’s even a new centre console armrest that can slide fore and aft and has enough storage underneath for keys and a purse or wallet.

So the new Picanto looks the part inside and out, but how does it perform on the move?

Surprisingly well. The atmospheric 1.2-litre MPI engine produces a modest 62kW, which, given the car’s low 976kg weight, results in performance that isn’t too shabby. OK, so its GT Line styling might suggest a faster car than it actually is, but looking beyond the fact that the dash to 100km/h from rest takes 12 seconds, the Picanto is a fun little car to drive.

With the new platform rides on revised suspension, and GT Line models receive moderately stiffer springs than the standard car's. Regardless of which Picanto you drive, the ride quality has improved significantly over its predecessor, soaking up everyday bumps quickly and without being transmitted through the entire cabin. Where the little Kia feels more grown up is in the suspension’s damping. It demonstrates the kind of composure not typically expected within this segment.

Kia Picanto GT 2961

Turn around
The Picanto feels nimble around town, as it should, with one of the smallest turning circles in its class aiding this agility. Visibility from the driver’s seat is decent, and there’s even a new reversing camera with 'dynamic lines' to help you back into a parking space. Nifty, but given the short rear overhang (not to mention the diminutive overall size of the Picanto), we found little requirement for it.

Navigating city streets is where the Kia feels most at home, and its 122Nm of torque is enough to make it feel quicker than that 0-100km/h time suggests. Its 256mm front disc brakes offer enough bite to haul the Picanto to a stop in only a short distance, as well.

Kia will also roll out its Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) technology on the Picanto, which uses a radar-based system to mitigate against collisions with other vehicles, but this doesn’t yet extend to detecting pedestrians.

Kia Picanto GT 3889

Out of town and on more open stretches you do need to work the engine a little harder to get the most from it. The five-speed manual gearbox we tried had a good feel to it with a clear, precise shift action and short enough throw across the gate. It’s not yet known if Kia will offer this manual version for the Australian market, where the current Picanto is available only in automatic guise.

As speeds increase, there is no real drop off in the impressiveness of the chassis. Through fast bends there is reassuringly little body roll beyond the initial movement as you turn in. While the GT Line does get stiffer springs, this driving experience was also true of the standard car.

The steering is pretty direct with the right balance of weight to suit a variety of driving conditions. You don’t get Kia’s selectable steering assistance like you do on some of its larger cars, but it's not really needed anyway.

Motorway journeys don’t challenge the Picanto, either. It feels surefooted cruising along once you get up to speed, but downhill motorway slip roads certainly help, as there's not a lot of power.

Kia Picanto GT 2971

On the road
Road and wind noise aren’t very prominent, and nor is the engine loud thanks to some increased levels of sound insulation in the body.

When it comes to running costs, we couldn’t match Kia’s official fuel consumption figure, which puts the 1.2-litre MPI model at a combined 4.6L/100km. We recorded closer to 7.0L/100km once we decided to drive more sensibly. We haven't had the opportunity to try the automatic transmission yet, but Kia quotes a combined consumption figure of 5.4L/100km for it.

Kia's current Picanto costs $14,990 drive-away with an automatic transmission, and the new model will likely continue to offer solid value – even compared to sub-$15,000 rivals like Holden's new Spark, Suzuki's Celerio and Mitsubishi's Mirage.

Kia Picanto GT 8001

Outright performance is a moot point when it comes to this segment. Where the Picanto excels is in the areas of comfort and, more importantly, refinement. It delivers the kind of polished ride quality you might expect from a larger hatchback while the build quality and materials used throughout the cabin add to the car’s grown-up feeling.

Kia has stolen a march on both its European and Japanese rivals with the new Picanto. If you’ve always considered city-cars to be dull, joyless little cars, think again. Here's a vivacious one from Korea.

2017 Kia Picanto 1.2 MPI GT Line pricing and specifications:
Price: TBC
On sale: May
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 62kW/122Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 4.6L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 106g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

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Written byDave Humphreys
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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
78/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
15/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
16/20
Safety & Technology
14/20
Behind The Wheel
17/20
X-Factor
16/20
Pros
  • Styling and personalisation
  • Mature road manners
  • New cabin design
Cons
  • No reach adjustment for steering
  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Thirsty engine
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