2023 Kia Picanto evaluation | CarExpert

If you need an affordable little automobile with an extended guarantee and no less than somewhat little bit of lively security know-how, the Kia Picanto is actually your solely selection.

That’s as a result of its foremost rivals – the almost-ready-to-be-replaced Fiat 500 and the massively common MG 3 – don’t have any type of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) to talk of – and if having a security backstop that would save your automobile, or another person’s automobile, and preserve your insurance coverage premium low; then that would matter to you.

However there’s extra to the Kia Picanto than simply being little, barely safer than its rivals and inexpensive. Particularly if you’re trying on the one examined right here, the range-topping GT model.

It’s turbocharged, correctly enjoyable, and undoubtedly subscribes to the “good issues in small packages” mantra.

How a lot does the Kia Picanto GT value?

That is the range-topping Picanto, however nonetheless comes at a reasonably rattling low-cost worth level.

The listing worth for the 2023 Kia Picanto GT is $20,790 plus on-road prices, however Kia has drive-away pricing listed at $22,890 for the 2000 postcode. You’ll be able to test your drive-away worth on Kia’s on-line configurator.

That makes the manual-only GT model a little bit of an odd bod available in the market – there may be nothing else at this finish of the market that’s performance-oriented, and it’s on its lonesome on the subject of being provided with three pedals solely.

Taking a look at spending round $20,000 for a model new automobile? The pickings, my pal, are slim. You possibly can have a look at an MG 3, or a base Kia Rio if inside area is a precedence. Or, for those who can push the {dollars} a bit additional and need one thing European, the Fiat 500 continues to be on the market. 

But when your finances is stricter than that, there are different choices within the Picanto vary. The S grade is the cheapie, with the five-speed guide priced from $16,290, and the four-speed auto at $17,890.

Select the sporty-looking-but-not-sporty-to-drive GT-Line and also you’ll pay only a wee bit extra – the five-speed guide is $17,740 and the four-speed auto is $19,340. Costs exclude on-road prices.

2023 Kia Picanto pricing:

• Kia Picanto S 5MT: $16,290
• Kia Picanto S 4AT: $17,890
• Kia Picanto GT-Line 5MT: $17,740
• Kia Picanto GT-Line 4ATL $19,340
• Kia Picanto GT 5MT: $20,790

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Kia Picanto GT like on the within?

It’s constructed to a worth and positively feels ‘inexpensive’ inside. And for those who equate the price of this automobile with, say, the true property market – you aren’t getting a complete lot of area to your spend.

On that, the inside is tight. Like, you shouldn’t count on a lot else once you’re shopping for a automobile that’s lower than 3.6 metres in size, however it’s fairly small within the cabin in a number of necessary methods.

You’ll bump shoulders together with your passenger at instances, particularly for those who each stoop into the automobile on the identical time. And for those who’re not romantically concerned with whoever is using shotgun, you would possibly wish to make certain they’re okay with you often touching their leg once you shift gears.

Regardless of that there’s nonetheless some storage on supply between the entrance seats, together with open cup holders and storage slots, together with adaptable cupholders in entrance of the shifter and a pleasant open cubby with a shelf to your cellphone.

There’s a sliding centre armrest, which is sweet for a automobile of this measurement (you don’t get one within the base mannequin). The door pockets are massive sufficient to suit a bottle and another junk, and the glovebox is definitely beneficiant for the dimensions of the automobile.

Entrance seat occupants have a good quantity of area, and the motive force’s seat presents good adjustment for individuals of various ages and physique varieties. I’m 182cm and I might get comfortable, and so might my 150cm mum.

The steering wheel has tilt adjustment (no attain adjustment) the seatbelts are height-adjustable, the seat has peak and slide adjustment. There’s no adjustable lumbar assist, however I didn’t want it after a number of hours of freeway driving.

The rear seat is a naked bones affair. There’s a map pocket. That’s it. No bottle holders, cup holders, vents, charging choices… only a map pocket. And solely considered one of them, too, on the again of the passenger seat.

As for area, there’s solely simply sufficient for me to fit in behind my very own driving place. My knees had been exhausting up in opposition to the seat forward, however I had okay toe room and headroom as soon as within the spot.

Three throughout gained’t be an choice for most individuals, however there are three seatbelts within the again so when you’ve got a single back-seat rider, they will select wherever fits them greatest.

Should you’re a mum or dad you’ll be inspired to be taught there are ISOFIX attachment factors for the window seats, and a trio of top-tether hooks on the very tops of the seatbacks, as nicely. That’s intelligent design, as a result of it means you gained’t have pointless stress on the straps of your little one seat, and nor will stated straps be consuming into the boot area.

Now, the boot isn’t successful any prizes for spaciousness. It has 255 litres of cargo capability, and it’s a little bit of an ungainly area as a result of there’s a steep ‘cliff’ loading lip meaning I couldn’t even match my pram in with out having to take the wheels off.

Talking of wheels, there’s a space-saver spare underneath the boot ground. Yep, one way or the other they managed to suit that in there.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Picanto GT is essentially the most highly effective variant, but will get an engine that has a smaller capability and fewer cylinders than different fashions.

That’s as a result of it scores a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is nice for an enormous 74kW (4500rpm) and 172Nm (1500-4000rpm).

Okay, enormous is a little bit of a stretch; however the further 12kW and 50Nm makes a large distinction, contemplating the Picanto is so slight – the GT is simply 1012kg, the GT-Line auto is 1011kg, and the GT-Line guide is 993kg.

As talked about, if you’d like an computerized and a turbo engine, you’re out of luck. The GT is a five-speed guide providing solely, and it’s front-wheel drive.

How does the Kia Picanto GT drive?

My mum, dad and companion all drove this automobile. In that order, right here’s what their reactions had been: “That could be a little groover!”; “What a enjoyable little automobile!”; and “I feel I would like a type of!”.

None of them are automobile reviewers, although. So right here’s what I believed: the Kia Picanto GT is a cool, enjoyable little automobile, and I feel I would like one. Oh wait… 

Anyway, I feel anybody who will get behind the wheel of this automobile will really feel the identical manner all of us did. It’s a heap of enjoyable, a bit old-school in the way in which it drives.

The little three-pot rasper has an amazing character to it – it has a little bit of lag low within the rev vary and desires a good bit of right-foot to get it transferring, however it’s extra fast than you would possibly count on it will likely be.

The five-speed guide has a reasonably lengthy throw to the shift, and the gears are tall too, which means you would possibly discover you’re in third when you might be in fifth.

Some could discover the shift motion and the very fact you’re feeling such as you’ve gotta work the drivetrain exhausting a bit unsophisticated, however the fans on the market will just like the appeal of it.

In addition to having extra grunt, the GT mannequin has sportier suspension and steering than the GT-Line, and it handles higher than every other Picanto in consequence.

Positive, it’s not the final phrase in consolation or management – hitting a mid-corner bump can actually upset the chassis, and the journey is jarring and bouncy at instances – however it’s actually essentially the most keen automobile at this worth level.

And, whereas I spent most of my time within the automobile commuting on the motorway, I did give it a punt at each likelihood.

It’s noisy, although. Coarse-chip highway surfaces (of which there are lots in Australia) will throw a number of highway roar into the cabin, and given the GT-Line fashions run the identical sort of wheel-tyre combo, you may wager they’ll be loud inside too.

However for those who don’t spend all that a lot time on highways, and you actually need a automobile that’s the essence of ‘zippy’, that is it.

What do you get?

Okay, so that you’re going to get essentially the most out of your Picanto for those who spend extra – however right here’s a rundown of the usual tools throughout all of the totally different grades.

Picanto S highlights:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 4.2-inch instrument cluster show display screen
• Automated headlights
• Cruise management
• Energy home windows
• Distant central locking
• Air-conditioning
• 14-inch metal wheels

Picanto GT-Line provides:

• GT-Line exterior package deal
  • Distinction physique accents
  • Twin exhaust trims
  • Physique package
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Electrical folding mirrors with indicators
• LED daytime operating lights
• Alloy sports activities pedals
• ‘Premium’ seats with purple accents
• Leatherette-wrapped shifter and steering wheel
• Sliding, soft-touch entrance centre armrest

Picanto GT (as examined) provides:

• 1.0L 3cyl turbo engine
• Sport-tuned suspension and steering

Is the Kia Picanto GT protected?

If having some type of autonomous emergency braking as commonplace in your new small automobile is necessary to you, then the Picanto goes to be your go-to automobile, as a result of it has AEB and ahead collision warning as commonplace on all variations.

However, whereas some newer vehicles have an array of performance from their AEB programs, the Picanto can solely do car-to-car crash avoidance. There isn’t a pedestrian or bike owner detection, nor junction help.

Nevertheless, for those who ask me, having that tech is healthier than not having it. It’s only a disgrace that the Picanto nonetheless solely managed a four-star ANCAP security score again in 2017, and issues have solely gotten stricter since then. 

It lacks every other good security tech – there’s no lane conserving help, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert or rear AEB. However you do get a reversing digicam, rear parking sensors, and 6 airbags (twin entrance, entrance facet and full-length curtain airbags) for occupant safety.

It’s value noting the MG 3 and Fiat 500 each lack any lively security tech. The MG doesn’t have a present ANCAP rating (the pre-facelift model scored simply three stars in Euro NCAP in 2014), and the Fiat’s rating (5 stars – from 2008!) simply expired.

How a lot does the Kia Picanto GT value to run?

Kia constructed a reputation for itself by being first available in the market to supply a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for personal consumers, and the model continues to supply that stage of canopy for brand spanking new prospects.

There’s additionally seven years of roadside help, and a capped-price servicing plan for as much as seven companies.

Now, that’s an necessary stipulation. It might be seven years of possession for you, relying on what number of kilometres you drive.

However the model requires upkeep each 12 months or 15,000km (whichever happens first) for the non-turbo fashions, and each 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first) for the turbo. So for those who do a number of kays, the turbo will run out of its capped-price plan sooner.

Hold this in thoughts too – the servicing is kind of costly for a small, low-cost automobile. Non-turbo variations common out at $407 per service over that plan, whereas the turbocharged GT is nearer to $450 a go to on common; and also you would possibly have to finances to spend extra for those who do a number of driving.

With regards to conserving gas as much as it, it’s one other “relies upon which one you purchase” calculation. The non-turbo guide makes use of a claimed 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres on the mixed gas cycle, whereas the non-turbo auto is claimed to make use of 5.8L/100km. So a reasonably first rate quantity extra.

The turbo mannequin claims 5.2L/100km, and through my testing – which coated greater than 700km – I averaged simply 5.1L/100km. Yep, I beat the declare, and I thrashed it from time to time, too.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Picanto GT

There’s little question in my thoughts that the Kia Picanto is a good little runaround automobile, and the GT makes these errands extra enjoyable than they in any other case could be.

The present buy-in worth is getting up there contemplating it was a complete lot extra inexpensive, and the servicing actually should be cheaper.

However for many who want a tiny little automobile at a comparatively tiny worth, it’s a terrific selection.

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