Car Detail

The Kia Picanto is the most compact and inexpensive car in the Kia line-up. It has a well-deserved reputation as a practical, solidly constructed hatchback with a good level of equipment and minimal running costs. Value is a strong part of the Kia Picanto’s appeal.

There is a generous amount of cabin space given the compact external dimensions. With five doors as standard, every Kia Picanto offers easy access to the rear seats and boot.

The Kia Picanto is best suited to the cut and thrust of urban environments but also makes an economical car for travelling between towns on more rural roads.

All Kia Picanto models have the practicality of a five-door body style. Luggage space can be augmented by folding down the rear seats, which are split asymmetrically on all variants. Each Kia Picanto also has a load area cover.

Power steering, electric front windows, heated rear screen, rear wash-wiper, tinted glass, 12v power outlet and a four-speaker CD/radio sound system are standard across the line-up. Most models also have a revcounter, digital clock and remote central locking with an alarm.

The Kia Picanto 3 trim brings air conditioning, electric rear windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, MP3 connection, alloy wheels, fog lights and additional body styling addenda.

Every Kia Picanto has ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) to provide safe stopping power and the ability to steer while braking. Should the worst happen, though, there are two front airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and a side-impact protection system. Most models also have three rear head restraints and a trio of three-point seatbelts in the back.

Child safety is also a priority. Every model is equipped with ISOFIX child seat mounting points, child locks on the rear doors and an airbag deactivation switch for carrying a rear-facing child seat in the front. In EuroNCAP crash tests, the Kia Picanto scored four out of five stars for child occupant protection.

All models have a small eco-footprint. The 1.1 model emits just 126g/km of CO2 when equipped with a manual gearbox and the 1.0 version is rated at an even more modest 117g/km.

There’s a very straightforward technical line-up. The Kia Picanto comes with a choice of two fuel-efficient petrol engines and two types of transmission.

The most economical option is the 1.0-litre engine, which has an official combined fuel economy average of 57.6mpg. This four-cylinder engine uses its 61bhp and 86Nm of pulling power to deliver 93mph performance. Power arrives at the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.
The 1.1-litre engine also drives the front wheels and is available with either a four-speed automatic transmission or, like the 1.0 model, a five-speed manual gearbox.

When equipped with the automatic gearbox – a popular option for easy driving in heavy, stop-start urban traffic – it returns an official combined fuel economy average of 47.1mpg. Performance extends to 90mph.

The manual version of the same engine offers an even better balance of fuel efficiency and performance. The combined fuel economy is rated at 53.3mpg and the performance runs to 96mph.

Irrespective of the type of transmission, this four-cylinder 1.1-litre engine develops maximum power of 64bhp, which is backed up by 97Nm of pull.
Both engines feature a three-valves-per-cylinder configuration and multi-point fuel injection. They require a service only once every 10,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first.

The Kia Picanto is one of the UK’s most inexpensive new cars to buy and run. Prices start at just £5995 for the entry-level 1.0 model. The mid-range 1.1 Kia Picanto 2 is £6995, followed by the Picanto Chill Special Edition for only £7095 with air conditioning and the top model in the line-up, the 1.1 Kia Picanto 3, is £8195. An automatic gearbox is an £800 option and available on the 1.1 Kia Picanto 2.

Prices are based on manufacturer's recommended retail price. Check out our Offers section for some great special offers.