Are you looking for a budget-friendly city car that doesn’t compromise on modern features and is reliable? The all-new Kia Picanto is possibly what you need.
Picanto offers great value in a compact package, which makes it a strong contender in the city car market.
But is it the best you can get in this price range?
Read on to find out…
Quick Overview
Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5
The Kia Picanto is a notable contender in the UK’s budget city car market. This small car comes with modern tech and very low running costs.
A facelifted design, LED lighting on higher trims, adds to the car’s overall appeal.
On top of it, an 8.0-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster now come as standard.
The space is reasonable for a city car. A 255-litre boot that beats some competitors. However, rear legroom is limited and not the best for taller passengers, particularly on longer journeys.
The 1.0-litre (62hp) and 1.2-litre (77hp) petrol engines are slow but economical. Similarly, adding to its affordability are the low insurance costs. As we see, it is a decent choice for city driving and especially a great car for new drivers. It’s light and nimble. Sharp handling but firm suspension.
However, if space, performance, or long-term value matter most, alternatives like the Hyundai i10 or Dacia Sandero may also be worth considering.
Let’s quickly look at a few of its strong & weak points.
Pros:
- Affordable to buy & run
- Really tidy handling
- Excellent infotainment and standard equipment
- Competitive boot space in the segment
Cons:
- One of the slowest new cars
- No turbocharged engine option
- Not the best resale value
- Not as roomy as some other budget-friendly rivals
Trims & Pricing
The Kia Picanto is compact, simple, and efficient and comes with a fairly sensible price tag.
Although a broad range of trims can be overwhelming for some, but don’t worry, let us break it down.
The range starts from £15,845 and climbs to £19,395, depending on the trim level.
Here’s a breakdown of key variants:
- ‘2’ trim
1.0-litre petrol, 5-speed manual – £15,845
5-speed AMT– £16,545
Offers the essentials with excellent value. - ‘GT-Line’ trim
1.0-litre petrol, 5-speed manual – £16,995
5-speed AMT – £17,695
Adds sporty styling, 16-inch alloy wheels and more. - ‘3’ trim
1.0-litre petrol, 5-speed manual – £17,795
5-speed AMT – £18,495
Brings in extra features like cruise control & central armrest. - Shadow’ trim
1.2-litre petrol, 5-speed manual – £18,045
5-speed AMT – £18,745
Special edition that is positioned between the ‘2’ and ‘3’ grades. - ‘GT-Line S’ trim
1.2-litre petrol, 5-speed manual – £18,695
5-speed AMT – £19,395
Top of the line, sporty looks with full equipment.
So overall, Picanto is a very affordable city car, no matter what trim you choose, depending on your preference. It costs somewhat less than the Hyundai i10 but slightly more than the Dacia Sandero.
In our opinion, the ‘2’ trim provides excellent value for money, all things considered. However, for those wanting extra tech and comfort, the ‘3’ trim or GT-Line S offer the best all-around value.
Performance & Drive
Rating: 3.5
Talking of performance & drive, Picanto clearly prioritises efficiency over outright speed.
But does the Kia Picanto deliver a satisfying drive, or does it struggle to keep up?
Let’s break it down.
It comes with two petrol engine options.
The 1.0 MPi engine produces 62 bhp and takes 15.4 seconds to reach 62 mph with a manual gearbox. We’d say it’s one of the slowest times for a new car.
The automated manual transmission (AMT) version is even slower at 18.2 seconds.
The more powerful 1.2 MPi with 77bhp improves acceleration to 13.1 seconds with a manual transmission, but is limited to higher trims.
If we compare it to its rivals, for example, the Hyundai i10 (with its turbo option) or the Dacia Sandero TCe 90, the Picanto feels underpowered.
Despite its slow speed, its nimble handling makes the driving experience satisfying. The steering is light and precise, making it easy to park.
Talking of firm suspension, it improves stability through corners. Yet, firmness does come at a price. On rough roads, the ride is slightly unsettled, in particular with the larger 16-inch wheels. That’s understandable because the car is designed mainly for city manoeuvres.
Noise levels are another downside. We tested Picanto on the motorway, and there’s noticeable noise at high speed. Conversations on the motorway require raised voices. This is something we’d say competitors like the i10 handled better.
Despite everything, the Picanto’s strong braking performance and smooth manual gearbox make urban driving enjoyable.
The AMT, however, is sluggish and less refined.
Overall, the Picanto is a decent choice for city driving.
However, if you’re someone who prefers stronger acceleration and a quieter ride, you may want to consider some alternatives.
Interior & Tech
Rating: 4
From the inside, the Kia Picanto is clearly designed with practicality and functionality in mind. It doesn’t feel particularly premium nor that cheap, we’d say it’s decent in the budget city car segment.
The dashboard is simple and well-organised. There are large, well-placed buttons that make operating the controls painless.
The 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard across all models. It has DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. All of which is responsive and straightforward.
Smartphone connectivity is a bonus but requires a wired connection, which is somewhat annoying. This is true even in those versions which come with a wireless charging pad.
Still, physical shortcut buttons and a volume dial make operation intuitive.
The cabin is made from hard plastics, but the textures prevent it from looking too basic.
The overall fit and finish give a sense of durability.
The build quality is solid, with buttons and switches that feel durable, much like the Hyundai i10. However, the i10 offers slightly glossier finishes that give a more upmarket impression.
Visibility is good at the front because of a wide windscreen and slim front pillars. However, rear visibility is slightly restricted by chunky rear pillars. Fortunately, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera come as standard.
The digital instrument cluster is a bit of a letdown. Instead of a full-screen display, it uses small LCD readouts for speed and revs, which aren’t as intuitive as traditional dials.
Despite a few shortcomings, the Picanto’s interior is easy to use, solidly built, and functional, making it a strong choice in its class.
Space & Practicality
Rating: 4
Practicality matters equally as style and efficiency.
So, does the Kia Picanto provide enough space for day-to-day life, or is it too compact for comfort?
Let’s take a closer look.
Front Space & Storage: Surprisingly Well-Designed
Although Picanto is a small car, it feels surprisingly roomy in the front, with plenty of head and legroom for taller drivers.
It’s not as wide as a Hyundai i10, but it doesn’t feel cramped.
Storage is well thought out, with two cup holders and a mobile phone tray. Similarly, the door pockets are fairly large for a small water bottle, and a glove box provides further convenience. Even the centre armrest includes a storage compartment, adding to its practicality.
One small downside is that there’s no dedicated cable routing for a phone connected to the infotainment system. This means the wire can end up in an awkward position when driving.
Rear Seats: Space for Passengers, But Best for Shorter Trips
The Picanto now comes with five seats as standard. However, fitting three adults in the back will be a tight squeeze due to its narrow design.
Legroom is reasonable, considering it a small car. However, it’s not as generous as in the Hyundai i10 or Dacia Sandero.
Taller passengers may find their knees pressed against the front seats, particularly if another tall person is driving.
On the positive side, the rear doors open wide (making it easier to get in and out).
Additionally, you get two ISOFIX mounting points for child seats in the all-new Picanto.
The Picanto also comes with proper electric rear windows instead of the more restrictive pop-out style.
Boot Space: Competitive but Not Class-Leading
For such a small car, the Picanto’s 255-litre boot is quite practical.
It edges out the Hyundai i10 (252 litres) but drops slightly behind the Suzuki Ignis (267 litres).
Picanto’s fairly large for a few shopping bags or a weekend getaway., We also found that it could fit three carry-on suitcases with space to spare.
A height-adjustable boot floor is available on all trims except the entry-level model. When the boot floor is set to its highest position, it aligns evenly with the folded rear seats, creating a flat surface. This design reduces the need to lift heavy items over a raised edge, thereby making loading and unloading more convenient.
In the lower position, it increases overall boot capacity and even provides some underfloor storage.
So all in all, it provides decent boot space. But if you need substantially more space, the Dacia Sandero offers nearly double the capacity.
Reliability & Safety
Rating: 3.6
The Kia Picanto has been on the market for over 20 years. It comes with a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty—one of the best in the industry.
Every Picanto comes with six airbags and automatic emergency braking (AEB) as standard. The GT-Line S trim adds an upgraded AEB system and blind-spot monitoring.
As for the Picanto’s Euro NCAP safety rating, it secured 3 stars in 2017. However, that rating expired as of January 2024, and the safety tests have since become more rigorous.
It remains to be seen how the latest version will perform under the updated testing criteria.
Fuel Economy & Running Costs
Rating: 4.9
In our test, the 1.0 MPi averaged around 50 mpg, showing that the Picanto clearly puts economy over performance.
Insurance costs are also lower, notably compared to the Hyundai i10. In our opinion, it’s an ideal choice for new or young drivers, who are often hit with higher premiums.
Considering the upfront price, running costs and insurance, affordability is Picanto’s strongest selling point. That said, rivals like the Hyundai i10 do offer slightly stronger resale value.
Still, the Picanto stands out as a practical and wallet-friendly option for budget-conscious buyers.
Depreciation: What to Expect?
Kia Picanto is expected to retain between 43 to 48 per cent of its value after three years or 36K miles (12k miles per year). Which we think is reasonable for a city car.
Among trims, the 1.0-litre GT-Line is expected to hold its value best, whereas the 1.0-litre ‘3’ automatic is projected to depreciate the fastest.
In terms of resale value, the Hyundai i10 maintains its value slightly better, around 50 per cent, over the same period.
For an accurate valuation of any specific model, you can check out Top UK Car Valuation Services.
Our Verdict
If you’re after a small, affordable, and no-nonsense city car, the Kia Picanto deserves a serious look. It may not be the most exciting to drive or the most spacious in its class, but it nails the basics — and that’s what really counts in this segment.
Performance is modest, no doubt. But considering it’s built with economy in mind, it does just fine around town.
Cabin space is decent, though not as generous as what you’ll find in something like the Dacia Sandero. Still, it’s comfortable enough for daily use and well laid out.
Despite that, Kia’s 7-year/100,000-mile warranty remains one of the best in the industry.
Small city cars are becoming harder to find, with more brands moving away from the segment. The Kia Picanto is one of the few still around, which means if you’re in the market for something compact and affordable, chances are it’ll end up on your radar.
For more expert car reviews and buying advice, keep visiting Car Adviser.