Kia Picanto review

The smallest thing Kia makes and one of the last remaining city cars in the known universe. And as a result, one of the best of the lot. It’s a simple, frugal, happy-go-lucky runaround of which there are far too few these days.

Despite its spicy sounding name, the Picanto started life in 2003 as a bland looking (albeit cheaply-priced and decently-equipped) city car. The second version in 2011 took full advantage of the Korean brand’s design awakening, with famed German scribbler Peter Schreyer (he designed the original Audi TT) lending the company some much-needed Euro flair and credibility.

Schreyer’s signature move was the introduction of the firm’s ‘tiger nose’ grille, which has become familiar over time but was a bold look when it was first unveiled.

So this is the third-gen car?

Correct. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show (remember those?) in 2017, changes between the second and third iterations were initially limited to freshening up details, a mark that there were barely any profits to be had in the city car segment. Which there still aren’t. Especially from cars powered by ghastly petrol engines.

Still, Kia scraped a few pennies together to refresh the car in 2024: this update was a bit more comprehensive, with a new-look front and rear and some interior upgrades. There’s no jacked up X-Line model this time though, which is a bit sad.

Looks good, doesn't it?

It’s a shame that more people haven’t switched on to the Picanto. It shows up to the small car party with pep and fizz that few of its rivals can muster. It’s a hoot to drive around town and plenty practical enough for day-to-day urban life. The modish light bars might not be to everyone’s taste, but the Picanto is a sharp little thing.

Take it further afield on longer journeys and you’ll bump into some of the car’s shortcomings, but it’s never been billed as a long-distance cruiser. Although it perhaps falls short in terms of outright quality (on some trim levels) and dynamics, the car has a lot in its favour, especially when it comes to making everyday city driving less of a chore.

Is it still cheap to buy?

The Picanto is no longer the bargain it once was, but then what is these days? The facelift has ditched the entry-level 1 trim and the rest of the range sees about a £1k increase across the board. That means £16,065 for the entry 2 car up to a perky £19,615 for the range-topping GT-Line S model with automatic gearbox.

All Picantos get electric windows, aircon, 8in touchscreen infotainment with satnav, Apple and Android connectivity, digital instrument panel plus rear parking camera and sensors as standard.

Make your way up the spec ladder and you can find treats waiting for you like heated front seats and steering wheel, LED headlights, keyless go, auto aircon, wireless phone charging and sport looking 16in alloys. More info in the Buying section.

What engines can I get?

There are two engine options: a 1.0-litre 3cyl producing 62bhp and 69lb ft that comes with the 2, GT-Line and 3 models, or a 1.2-litre 4cyl bad boy in the Shadow and GT-Line S cars that pumps out 77bhp and 83lb ft. Powerrrrrr!

Just kidding. The smaller one gets to 62mph in 15.4 seconds, or 18.2s (!) as an auto; the bigger engine strikes 13.1s and 16.5s accordingly. So it’s not racy.

On the plus side, all the cars are rated around 50mpg and you get reasonably close to that if you’re patient. Which you’ll have to be.

What are its main rivals?

Good question. The city car segment has lived through its heyday, it seems, as people are now more interested in bigger motors with more space and a better view of the road. Still, there are a few good alternatives to choose from: the Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo X or even the larger-but-cheaper Dacia Sandero are probably your best bets.

If you’re open to being powered by electrons, the Fiat 500 and Dacia Spring are both good shouts. The Spring undercuts the Picanto by over a grand, but the compromise is even less power, even less speed, and having to worry about range. There’s the Chinese Leapmotor T03 as well, but you’d have to be impressively disinterested in cars to actually go there.

The Picanto has learned from the likes of the Fiat Panda that drivers will forgive a lot inside a car as long as it’s presented in an upbeat way and is cheap to run. For a first car or something that’s only needed as a runabout, you can't go at all wrong here. It’s fun, frugal and is great value for money… which is probably why so few manufacturers make them now. Boo.

Overall the Kia’s an impressive all-rounder and its recent facelift has only served to make it more enticing. There’s life in the city car segment yet. Hooray! Now let’s hope everyone notices before it’s too late.