The Kia Picanto has grown up
Mini cars are slowly dying out. One model after another is disappearing from the portfolios of car manufacturers. At least Kia is sticking with its Picanto, even giving it a significant design and tech update mid-life. This boosts safety levels, but unfortunately also the price.
The Picanto is a sure bet for Kia. In 2023, around 9,200 units of the little five-seater were sold in Germany, placing it third in the brand's internal registration rankings behind the Ceed family and the Sportage. The now significantly revised Picanto aims to continue this success with a new look, equipment almost on par with larger cars, and an expanded array of assistance systems. The price list starts at just under 16,700 euros.
A front collision warning system with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, active lane keep and follow assist, intelligent speed assist, and a drowsiness warning system are all included as standard from the base version, Edition 7. The Vision version, among other features, includes front seat heating and a heated steering wheel.
From the Spirit trim level upwards, features such as the front collision warning system with curve function and active blind spot assist are added, along with a smart key, automatic climate control, and an inductive smartphone charging station. At the top, as is typical for Kia, is the GT-line with sporty styling inside and out. Incidentally, fans of the Milky Beige Metallic color will have to opt for the Spirit Launch Edition, which is presumably available until the end of the year, while the Picanto GT-line Launch Edition is available in Adventure Green Metallic.
Luxury can be added as an option
By the way, all Picantos come with navigation with seven years of map updates, the Kia Connect app with various useful functions, air conditioning, hands-free calling, a rearview camera, light and parking sensors, and central locking with a remote key. As usual, the better-equipped versions can be upgraded with a healthy dose of mini car luxury. Operation is mostly and problem-free via the 8-inch display, with relevant driving data displayed on the 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster.
Impressive figures are not on display here, as the smallest Kia is quite restrained in its engine offerings. The lively 1.0 T-GDI version with 100 PS has long been retired. Left behind are a 1-liter three-cylinder with now 46 kW/63 PS and a 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 58 kW/79 PS. These accelerate the little one to 100 km/h in 15.6 and 13.1 seconds, respectively, and top out at 145 and 159 km/h.
Average consumption of 5.2 to 5.6 liters
Kia quotes an average fuel consumption of 5.2 and 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers. The automated manual transmission (AMT) offered for both variants consumes about 0.1 liters more. Those who prefer not to shift gears should only choose this option if they drive conservatively and can tolerate the sometimes quite noticeable shifts.
Despite modest performance, driving a Picanto is still a enjoyable experience, especially with a manual transmission. The engines hum and purr quietly, the seats are generously sized, and there's a hint of go-kart fun in corners, along with well-tuned steering and smooth shifting.
Up front, space is ample, but it's a tight squeeze in the back. And the trunk? Despite Kia's pride in being "top of the class," four (1.0L engine with manual transmission) or five seats on a now 3.61-meter length inevitably limit cargo space. In numbers: According to the manufacturer, it's 225 to 1010 liters, which should be enough for weekend shopping.
Face and Rear in Current Brand Look
But now comes the chapter that Kia is clearly very proud of. The designers have given the Picanto a face and rear in the current brand look. This is translated under the motto "United Opposites" and in the case of the smallest model, this means a significant leap from rather cute and a bit quirky to quite grown-up.
Especially the versions from the Spirit trim level with their distinctive LED headlights and daytime running lights come across as quite unfamiliar, while the GT-line adds a unique light signature with LED light strips, an enlarged grille, a rear diffuser, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Depending on the version, the new paint colors in Signal Red, Smoke Blue Metallic, and Adventure Green Metallic also make a statement.
Of course, all these innovations don't come for free. The little one with 63 PS is no longer available for less than 16,690 euros, the 1.2-liter version starts at 17,990 euros. The automated manual transmission costs an additional 1,000 euros. The most expensive version in the price list is the Picanto 1.2 AMT with 79 PS in GT-line trim, priced at 22,190 euros.
Kia Picanto 1.0 and 1.2 T-GDI - Technical Specifications
- Five-door, five-seat subcompact car
- Length: 3.61 meters, Width: 1.60 meters, Height: 1.49 meters, Wheelbase: 2.40 meters, Cargo volume: 255-1010 liters
- 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine, 46 kW/63 PS, maximum torque: 93 Nm at 3750 rpm, Five-speed manual transmission, 0-100 km/h: 15.6 s, Vmax: 145 km/h, Combined fuel consumption: 5.2 liters/100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 118 g/km, Efficiency class: D, Emission standard: Euro 6e, Price: from 16,690 euros (Edition 7)
- 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine, 58 kW/79 PS, maximum torque: 113 Nm at 4200 rpm, Five-speed manual transmission, 0-100 km/h: 13.1 s, Vmax: 159 km/h, Combined fuel consumption: 5.6 liters/100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 127 g/km, Efficiency class: D, Emission standard: Euro 6e, Price: from 17,990 euros (Vision)
The revised Picanto continues to be popular, with around 9,200 units sold in Germany in 2023. (from the given text)In the face of rising prices, the base version of the Picanto still offers a front collision warning system, active lane keep assist, intelligent speed assist, and a drowsiness warning system as standard features. (New sentence)
The entry-level version of the Picanto includes advanced safety features, such as a front collision warning system, despite an increase in price.
