The Kia Picanto has lengthy been the go-to man within the cheap-car class.
It’s tiny, and it has a comparatively tiny price ticket, too. However current value jumps have made this Korean micro-car rather less interesting than earlier than.
This evaluate is of the range-topping GT-Line auto variant, and it’s arguably the toughest to justify in the event you’re working with a small price range to your new metropolis automotive.
James’ earlier evaluate of the bottom guide is properly value trying out if that’s you, as a result of the Picanto arguably does its finest work if you’re spending much less on it.
So, do you have to contemplate the GT-Line flagship? And is the automated variant value a shot? Learn on to search out out.
How a lot does the Kia Picanto value?
Costs have bumped up for this coin-conscious mannequin vary in 2026, with $800 will increase to the checklist value for all grades, albeit with no spec adjustments or changes.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
|
2026 Kia Picanto Sport 5MT |
$19,190 |
|
2026 Kia Picanto Sport 4AT |
$20,790 |
|
2026 Kia Picanto GT-Line 5MT |
$20,990 |
|
2026 Kia Picanto GT-Line 4AT |
$22,590 |
The Picanto hatch is likely one of the most reasonably priced automobiles available in the market, primarily based on checklist pricing. I checked what the ultimate value can be for this grade, and utilizing a 2000 postcode the net configurator said $25,040 drive-away.
That also makes it one of many most cost-effective automobiles out there, with an almost-equivalent MG 3 Essence hatch itemizing at $25,990 drive-away. Different price range automobiles you can contemplate embody the Mahindra XUV3XO and Chery Tiggo 4 compact SUVs (each priced from $23,990 drive-away), the Hyundai Venue gentle SUV (guide from $23,750 plus on-roads), or the superior little BYD Atto 1 electrical hatch priced from $23,990 plus on-roads.
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
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What’s the Kia Picanto like on the within?
The GT-Line inside is a little bit of a step up from the bottom grade, although not as sporty as another top-spec Kia fashions.
Certain, you get the stitched steering wheel leather-based and pretend leather-based seat trim with gray ending. However it’s not precisely that large of a ‘wow’ second inside this cabin.
It’s a price range automotive, and the gear on provide feels that manner, too. Each entrance seats are manually adjustable, and there’s no heating or air flow out there both.
There’s a really small touchscreen by trendy requirements at simply 8.0 inches in diameter, and whereas it does have Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it’s additionally very primary in different methods.
Agreeably although, you do have buttons down beneath for plenty of media controls, and there are tuning and quantity dials as properly.
I had no actual points with the system throughout my time however, as I mentioned, it is vitally primary.
In entrance of the driving force, there’s additionally a reasonably rudimentary trying digital instrument cluster – with daring, giant show components for the speedo and tachometer, and a small 4.2-inch configurable show exhibiting you your journey laptop and driver help options.
The local weather system can be fairly elemental – you simply have guide rotary controls, and no computerized local weather management.
The cabin area is properly thought of with regards to storage upfront, nevertheless, with a few USB ports, a storage location down beneath the air flow controls, and configurable cupholders so you possibly can both have them as cupholders – or not.
Additional, there’s an open centre console space, and a coated small hidey gap with gentle padding to relaxation your elbow on. Simply separately, although, as actual property is at a premium right here.
The doorways have giant bottle holders, and you’ve got a fairly sized glovebox.
There are self-importance mirrors on each of the sunvisors, although they aren’t illuminated, and nor are they adjustable for size.
Past that, there’s a manual-flicky rear-vision mirror. So, sure, it’s fairly primary.
Again-seat area just isn’t nice for somebody my measurement. At 182cm/6’0” and with the driving force’s seat set to my place, my knees had been exhausting up in opposition to the seat forward, however headroom is respectable due to the Picanto’s tall-boy physique.
There are three seatbelts within the again, although it will likely be extra comfy for simply two occupants, plus ISOFIX youngster seat anchors within the window seats and three top-tethers as properly.
However with regards to different inclusions within the again, it’s restricted.
There’s a single map pocket on the passenger-side seatback, however there aren’t any door pockets or bottle holders, and the fabric ending on the doorways is all exhausting plastic.
Between the seats, there aren’t any directional air vents, and only a single USB-C port.
And there isn’t a fold-down armrest, nor are there any cupholders within the rear.
It does have a 60:40-split/folding rear seat although, so in the event you do have to fold them down, you possibly can permit your self a bit more room – as much as 1010 litres, in reality.
Within the cargo space, there’s a good quantity of area for such a small automotive – 255L with the seats up. There are a couple of completely different buying bag choices, a light-weight for higher visibility at night time, and also you get a cargo cowl as properly.
You must just remember to can suit your issues in by means of the hole, although, because it’s wider on the backside than on the prime.
However you’ll respect the actual fact there’s a space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot ground – an enormous plus for a bit of automotive.
| Dimensions | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Size |
3595mm |
| Width |
1595mm |
| Top |
1485mm |
| Wheelbase |
2400mm |
| Cargo capability (VDA) |
255L (5 seats) |
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Purchase the GT-Line, and you continue to get the identical engine and transmission choices as the bottom grade.
| Specs | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Engine |
1.25L 4cyl petrol |
| Energy |
62kW |
| Torque |
122Nm |
| Transmission |
5sp guide or 4sp computerized |
| Drive kind |
Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight |
918-936kg |
| Gas economic system (claimed) |
5.4L/100km (man) |
| Gas economic system (as examined) |
7.2L/100km |
| Gas tank capability |
35L |
| Gas requirement |
91RON ULP |
| Emissions commonplace |
Euro 5 |
It’s a disgrace there’s no delineation throughout the vary when it comes to powertrains, as a result of this automotive deserves a greater engine and transmission.
The auto fashions are thirstier on paper than the manuals, and over my week of testing throughout city, errand-running, freeway and freeway driving, I noticed a return of seven.2L/100km – much like what I’ve seen in some mid-size petrol SUVs.
So don’t go considering that purchasing this small automotive would be the most effective alternative from a gas consumption standpoint.
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How does the Kia Picanto drive?
I let my accomplice do some operating round on this automotive throughout my week with it and once I requested her what she thought, she mentioned: “I hope that automotive is affordable, as a result of it feels it!“
And I perceive precisely the place she’s coming from with that critique.
I feel the most important deterrent for this automotive is the underwhelming non-turbo petrol engine, and the at-times-lazy four-speed computerized transmission.
For an urban-dweller who simply goes to the outlets and again, it may very well be completely acceptable. Even country-town prospects is likely to be wonderful with what’s on provide right here.
However for individuals who enterprise outdoors of metropolis limits, it actually does require fairly a little bit of thought when it comes to how the engine and transmission will behave in some conditions.
On the freeway, in the event you method any form of gradient, you may discover the gearbox will chill, and also you’ll be revving very exhausting. And at 110km/h, even in fourth gear, the engine is working its butt off (round 3300rpm). It’s not a hushed engine, both.
So certainly, the powertrain is the least pleasant ingredient of the driving expertise, and it’s additional exacerbated by the dearth of the wonderful 1.0-litre turbo engine that was out there within the GT-Line grade of the previous-generation vary.
Look, for individuals who – as I mentioned – simply want a automotive to run to high school or uni or the outlets or no matter in, and don’t essentially really feel like they’ll be needing the entire kiloWatts this engine provides, then it may very well be completely acceptable.
However the five-speed guide model permits you to exploit a bit of extra of this considerably, ahem, meagre motor.
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In any other case, the Picanto is an absolute cracker of a factor to drive – with stunning steering response and fairly spectacular journey consolation for one thing so small – as a result of it is so gentle and has such a brief wheelbase.
It offers with lumps and bumps higher than you most likely anticipate, even with these sporty low-profile tyres and funky 16-inch wheel package deal.
The rubber provides pretty good grip in corners as properly, and in the event you discover a enjoyable stretch of highway you can see your self chuckling a bit of bit on this automotive as you chuck it round.
However it may really feel unrefined when it comes to noise intrusion within the cabin – from the tyres, wind, and the engine – so in the event you’re searching for a extra serene expertise, I might argue there are higher decisions on the market for comparable cash to this.
On the plus facet, for individuals who hate trendy automobiles due to security nannies, this automotive doesn’t have any of these ADAS annoyances.
There’s a lane-keeping system, however you possibly can rapidly flip it off by holding a button on the steering wheel, and also you don’t have any of these incessant chimes beeping at you about pace zones, or driver monitoring.
In truth, it’s a little bit of a pure expertise in that regard, and a greater one for it, in my view.
On the entire, it’s a low cost automotive, and in some methods it does really feel low cost.
However it’s nonetheless commendable and recommendable in case you are searching for a compact runabout – simply don’t go considering you’ll be getting essentially the most thrilling expertise when it comes to the powertrain, particularly with the auto.
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
What do you get?
Questioning what you get with regards to sacrificing a couple of additional takeaway coffees per week to search out your self within the fancier GT-Line flagship? Right here’s a rundown of the usual gear in each Picanto grades.
2026 Kia Picanto Sport gear highlights:
- 14-inch alloy wheels
- House-saver spare
- Computerized halogen headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- Halogen daytime operating lights
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wi-fi and wired Android Auto
- 4-speaker sound system
- Air-conditioning
- Fabric upholstery
- 6-way guide driver’s seat with top adjustment (NEW)
- Top-adjustable headrests
- 60:40-split/folding rear seats
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- 1 x entrance USB-A outlet
- 1 x entrance USB-C outlet
Picanto GT-Line – for simply $1800 extra – provides:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Reflector LED headlights
- LED daytime operating lights
- LED entrance gentle bar
- LED rear mixture gentle
- Gloss black grille, badging
- Chrome beltline trim
- Heated exterior mirrors
- ‘Premium’ upholstery
- Smooth-touch centre armrest
- Top-adjustable entrance seats
- Alloy pedals
- ‘D-Lower’ steering wheel
- Gloss black inside trim
- 1 x USB-C port (behind centre console)
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
Is the Kia Picanto secure?
The Kia Picanto doesn’t have an ANCAP security ranking and, if it did, it wouldn’t be the utmost rating.
The present Picanto’s ranking expired on the finish of 2023, and it is now formally ‘unrated’.
Normal security gear consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot help
- Driver consideration warning
- Ahead collision warning
- Excessive Beam Help
- Lane Comply with Help
- Lane hold help
- Main automobile departure alert
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Rear occupant alert
- Reversing digicam
- Rear parking sensors
- Secure exit warning
The Picanto has six airbags – twin entrance, entrance facet and full curtain protection.
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
How a lot does the Kia Picanto value to run?
The possession promise from Kia is a powerful one at first look, however whilst you do get a really robust seven-year guarantee, you’re basically subsidising that by paying over the chances for upkeep.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Kia Picanto |
|---|---|
| Guarantee |
7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help |
As much as 8 years (conditional) |
| Service intervals |
12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing |
7 years |
|
Common annual service value |
$440.57 |
| Whole capped-price service value |
$3084 |
The service intervals are beneficiant, however for a primary automotive the service prices are greater than common. A Chery Tiggo 4 prices $309 per go to, for comparability’s sake.
When you do service with Kia, although, you may get your roadside help topped up yearly, to a most length of eight years.
To see how the Kia Picanto traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Picanto
It seems nice, and in the event you’re bought on the thought of a brand-new tiny petrol hatch, it’s the perfect within the enterprise.
It’s removed from excellent, although, and sharply priced SUV rivals are beginning to reduce its grass.
If I used to be shopping for a Picanto, it’d be the GT-Line, but it surely’d even be the guide, as a result of it’s essentially the most engaging decide of the pack right here.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Kia Picanto. Click on right here to get an excellent deal.
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