The Kia Picanto sounds like an overpriced candy bar in a high end retail store, but in fact it’s the complete opposite. The Kia Picanto is an inexpensive super mini (city car) that can be found on European Roads, and we had the opportunity to test drive it.
The 1-liter three-cylinder is best left for city duties, it feels lively and full of character around the city but on faster paced roads it feels out of its depth. The optional 1.25-liter four-cylinder is the better pick if you do a mix of both city and mild highway driving, both engines will make a ruckus when pushed hard but at least the 1.25-liter offers more punch where it matters the most while the 1-liter has the lowest running costs and is the cheapest to buy.
The Picanto is easy to drive thanks to light steering and responsive handling. It’s actually quite a doddle to squeeze in and out of tight Parisian parking spaces. The best part about the Picanto is despite it having such a short wheelbase; it doesn’t feel overly firm over most road surfaces. We see why the 1-liter three-cylinder would be the popular choice for those who strictly drive in the city as it is quite enough. The 1.25-liter four-cylinder can be had with an automatic but you’ll have to pick the most expensive version of the Picanto to have it.
The Mini 3-door hardtop is 150inches in length, while the Picanto is 8.5 inches shorter at 141.5 inches. You’d think that the Picanto would have the smallest rear seat between the two but you’d be surprised that the Mini is more cramped for space. You can fit two passengers abreast, while three people will be pushing it. The front seats do offer plenty of comfort and support, and the dashboard has a smart layout. The controls and dials all fall within reach of the driver’s hand and is easy to navigate through. The touch screen infotainment system is easy to navigate through, but the menus can get distracting while on the go. The boot space is decent in space for such a small car.
1 trim comes with a 3.8-inch monochrome audio display, USB & AUX ports, automatic headlight control, electronic stability program and electric front windows. 2 trim adds air-con, 14-inch alloys wheels, 4-speaker audio system, Bluetooth audio streaming for your mobile device and leather trimmed steering wheel. 3 trim adds 7-inch touch screen display, automatic air-con, cruise control, power folding exterior mirrors and 15-inch alloy wheels. GT-Line adds 16-inch alloy wheels, bi-functional projection headlights, LED daytime running lamps, LED rear lights and rear privacy glass. GT-Line S adds electric sunroof, rear parking sensors and wireless mobile phone charger. Our tester car was the Picanto 3 which came fitted with the 1.25-liter four-cylinder and optional auto gearbox. We did get the chance to test drive the 1-liter three-cylinder which we wanted but wasn’t available for rental. (We test drove the other examples at the dealership.)
The Picanto is a very interesting vehicle to say the least; it fits perfectly in the tight and narrow streets of Paris. The engines are up for the job and the running costs are so low and fitting for the high gas prices. The 1-liter version of the engine is the best way to go with the Picanto as it offers the most flexibility and character, while the 1.25-liter is suited for those who do more mixed driving (city/highway). We’d certainly choose the cheaper trim, especially in the tight streets of Paris and of course the nearly impossible street parking. (We had to stick with underground car parks as the insurance wouldn’t cover the car if we parked it on the street.)
Likes: The cheapest engine has the lowest running costs, while the most powerful has decent flexibility and optional auto gearbox. The interior feels classy and well-built with a rear seat and boot space that could shame a Mini. It’s quite a doddle to drive around tight narrow streets and is easy to park and live with in urban areas.
Dislikes: We couldn’t have the 1-liter engine which is the best way to go here. We had to give it back.
Picanto 1 ($12,705) 1.0 manual 66bhp
Picanto 2 ($14,452) 1.0 manual 66bhp
2 ($15,125) 1.25 manual 83bhp
2 ($15,998) 1.25 auto 83bhp
Picanto 3 ($17,007) 1.25 manual 83bhp
3 ($17,881) 1.25 auto 83bhp
Picanto GT-Line
1.0 manual 66bhp ($16,066)
1.25 manual 83bhp ($16,738)
Picanto GT-Line S
1.25 manual 83bhp ($18,755)
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