The Kia Picanto has misplaced its title as Australia’s least expensive new automotive for now, nevertheless it’s again for 2024 with a brand new look and extra expertise.
This tiny hatchback is a giant deal in Australia, having dominated the gross sales charts and proved it’s doable to promote small, low cost hatchbacks within the face of most rivals disappearing.
Its significance for Kia is rising, too. The long-running Rio is useless, leaving the Picanto to battle the wildly in style MG 3 alone.
Kia is gearing up for a battle. The brand new Picanto has an offended new look which takes inspiration from the EV9 and Sorento, and its cabin options an up to date infotainment system.
There’s additionally new security tools, which is able to little question endear the Picanto to oldsters on the lookout for an reasonably priced first automotive choice.
Must you have a look at the bottom mannequin, or the flamboyant GT-Line on check right here?
How does the Kia Picanto examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Kia Picanto towards equally sized autos.
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Picanto
How a lot does the Kia Picanto value?
There’s much more customary security tools within the up to date Kia Picanto, nevertheless it comes at a value.
2024 Kia Picanto pricing:
2024 Kia Picanto Sport guide: $17,890 ($20,690 d/a)2024 Kia Picanto Sport auto: $19,490 ($21,690 d/a)2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line guide: $19,690 ($22,490 d/a)2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line auto: $21,290 ($23,490 d/a)
Costs exclude on-road prices until in any other case famous
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, use our comparability device.
What’s the Kia Picanto like on the within?
The cabin of the Picanto stays easy however properly thought out behind the wheel.
Though it’s tiny on the skin (it’s solely 24mm longer than a Fiat 500), the driving place up entrance is definitely surprisingly accomodating for large our bodies.
At 6’7 I used to be in a position to get comfy behind the wheel, though it’s not as comfy as even a barely greater automotive just like the Stonic SUV.
Dealing with the driving force is a stunning, sporty steering wheel, and the straightforward digital dashboard from low-end variations of the Sportage SUV. With giant pace and rev readouts, it’s simple to make out on the transfer with out feeling notably particular.
That theme extends to the remainder of the inside.
With guide air-conditioning dials, a number of onerous plastics, and throwbacks just like the ‘80s Mercedes-style stepped gate on the automated shifter, it looks like an economic system automotive… which it’s, however which additionally isn’t actually in line with the GT-Line branding.
It begs the query of why you wouldn’t simply purchase the bottom mannequin, which is essentially the identical inside however simply lacks just a few superficial trim items.
No matter which mannequin you go for, you get a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Just like the digital dashboard, it’s easy to take a look at however in the end efficient.
There’s little or no studying curve right here; we’d wager most homeowners will join up their cellphone and by no means spend a lot time interacting with the native software program.
Storage up entrance is strong, regardless of the automotive’s diminutive proportions. You get two cupholders on the base of the sprint, together with a shelf that’s good for a smartphone or pockets.
There’s additionally a correct central armrest, which isn’t at all times a given in economic system vehicles, and usable door pockets.
The rear seats are usable for youths, or for adults on shorter journeys.
Headroom again there’s genuinely good because of the boxy physique, however there’s minimal legroom until the driving force is squeezed proper up towards the dashboard.
ISOFIX factors characteristic on the outboard rear seats, and there’s a trio of top-tether factors for youngster seats – not that we’d count on too many individuals being eager to frequently use the Picanto as a household automotive.
There aren’t any air vents again there, neither is there a fold-down central armrest.
Boot area is 255 litres, which is sufficient to swallow a few in a single day luggage or a big grocery store store.
There’s a major load lip, and the boot area itself is kind of deep. Which means you’ll need to carry heavy gadgets and up and into the cabin, fairly than sliding them in as you’re in a position to in greater vehicles.
What’s below the bonnet?
Following the discontinuation of the Picanto’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine with the facelift, all the vary is now solely accessible with a 1.25-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine.
To see how the Picanto compares with its rivals, use our comparability device.
How does the Kia Picanto drive?
With a small, naturally aspirated petrol engine and a four-speed slush field, the Picanto is decidedly old-school.
Even in metropolis driving it feels as if it’s working onerous, revving to 3500rpm in first gear even while you wish to speed up gently, and it makes a rough and raspy noise.
It’s removed from insufferable, nevertheless it additionally stands out within the age of easy turbocharged efficiency.
Should you’re keen and in a position to drive a guide automotive, the five-speed choice a minimum of offers you extra gears to play with, and extra management over which one you’re in at any given level.
Given Kia killed the turbocharged Picanto GT as a result of it was solely accessible with a guide although, we’d wager most patrons will go for the four-speed automated on check right here.
With gentle steering and a tiny footprint, the Picanto does its greatest work on the town.
It’s a bit of cake to string by way of tight areas, slipping into small parking spots that’d have a Seltos stumped with out room to spare, and the boxy window line provides glorious all-round visibility.
Journey high quality is usually fairly good on the 16-inch wheels, that are tiny by 2024 requirements.
The Picanto retains a lot of the fiddly bumps on metropolis roads out, however the suspension will be noisy while you slap into sharper potholes, and also you’re conscious of how quick the wheelbase is over pace bumps.
It’s completely acceptable given the value and the automotive’s measurement. At freeway speeds the little engine is working onerous, revving between 3000 and 4000rpm.
Wind and highway noise are noticeable at 100km/h, and while you put your foot down at pace it must kick down and rev onerous. It’s not a pure freeway cruiser, nevertheless it’s a succesful one given its measurement.
Though it doesn’t have adaptive cruise management, you do get lane-keeping help with lively lane-centring. They come in useful on longer journeys, nudging you again between the white traces for those who stray.
The lane-centring generally is a bit too palms on at occasions, making an attempt to wrest management away from the driving force. Some members of our staff find it irresistible, however I’m not one in all them.
What do you get?
The 2024 Kia Picanto is out there in two trim ranges – on check is the flagship GT-Line.
Picanto Sport highlights:
14-inch alloy wheels (NEW)Halogen headlights with halogen daytime operating lightsAutomatic high-beamAutomatic headlightsLED rear fog lights (NEW)Distant central lockingSpace-saver sparePower-folding exterior mirrors (NEW)8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlayWireless and wired Android Auto4.2-inch instrument cluster display (NEW)Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel (NEW)Leatherette-wrapped shifter (NEW)4-way guide driver’s seat adjustmentCloth upholstery3 x top-tether and a couple of x ISOFIX anchor factors for youngster seatsAir conditioning4 x audio system and a couple of x entrance tweetersCruise controlPower windowsDay and evening rear-view mirror1 x entrance USB-A outlet1 x entrance USB-C outlet1 x entrance 12V outlet
GT-Line provides:
16-inch alloy wheelsLED headlights (NEW)LED daytime operating lightsLED tail lights (NEW)GT-Line exterior packagePower-folding, heated exterior mirrors (NEW)Leatherette upholstery6-way guide driver’s seat adjustment (contains peak adjustment)Three-spoke ‘Sports activities’ steering wheel (NEW)Steel pedals (NEW)1 x rear USB-C outlet (NEW)
Is the Kia Picanto protected?
The Kia Picanto had a four-star ANCAP score based mostly on testing carried out in 2017, however this expired on the finish of December 2023. This implies it’s now unrated.
It acquired an grownup occupant safety score of 87 per cent, a toddler occupant safety score of 64 per cent, a pedestrian safety score of 54 per cent, and a security help score of 47 per cent.
All Picanto fashions come customary with the next tools:
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot help (NEW)Driver consideration warningLane-keep help (NEW)Lane Observe Help (NEW)Main car departure alertRear cross-traffic help (NEW)Rear occupant alertReversing cameraRear parking sensorsSafe exit warning
How a lot does the Kia Picanto value to run?
Kia Australia backs its vehicles with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
These first seven companies value $285, $467, $341, $511, $321, $584 and $341, respectively, below Kia Australia’s capped-price service program.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Picanto
The Picanto could be a extra trendy, and extra aggressive wanting beast than the automotive it replaces, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an affordable and cheerful little metropolis hatch at coronary heart.
There’s nothing incorrect with that – it’s arguably one thing we want extra of in 2024.
However that makes the GT-Line really feel a bit… redundant.
If it had a extra highly effective engine, or a considerably nicer inside, it’d be value the additional cash over the bottom mannequin.
Because it stands although, you’re higher off having fun with the Picanto as a base mannequin and placing the $1800 you’ll save in direction of just a few years value of gas.
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