The smallest thing Kia makes and one of the last remaining true city cars in the known universe. And as a result, the Picanto is 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 Kia Picanto started life in 2003, with the second version in 2011 taking full advantage of the Korean brand’s design awakening. Famed German scribbler Peter Schreyer (he designed the original Audi TT) lent 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.
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Styling
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.
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.
Interior
The Picanto is as durable as its price might lead you to imagine. It all looks fairly stylish inside, though, and you won’t be left feeling short-changed.
One nice change for the facelift is that the car comes with five seats as standard, which wasn’t the case before. Whether you can persuade three people to get in the back is another thing. There are two Isofix points back there for little ones.
You’ve got decent space up front, even if the seats aren’t quite as comfortable over longer trips as you might hope they would be. The central part of the dashboard is flexible, with pop-up cupholders or space to drop things in. In the back you’ve got decent enough legroom, though again the seats do feel a bit flat.
Kia claims a ‘class best’ cargo capacity for the Picanto: its 255 liters is certainly very impressive for a city car. It’ll swallow a weekly supermarket shop, but you won’t be volunteering to drive to the airport too often. That boxy shape means the boot extends to a very useful 1,010 liters with the seats down though – great news considering you won’t often have rear seat passengers.
Engine performance
There are two engine options: a 1.0-liter three-cylinder producing 62hp and 94Nm, or a 1.2-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 77bhp and 113Nm. The smaller one gets to 100kph in 15.4 seconds, or in 18.2 seconds with an automatic; the bigger engine strikes 13.1s and 16.5s accordingly. Of course, if you’re in anything approaching a rush, the only option is to go for the more powerful 1.2 number.
The entry engine has a heady top speed of 145kph, while the 1.2 knocks that up to 158kph. Autobahn-tastic. Attempting either won’t help you reach the 18.2km/L fuel consumption promised by the five-speed manual though.
The 1.2 is slightly peppier and more willing than the 1.0, but you’ll pay for that with added noise. Best treat the throttle like a priceless vase and not burst your eardrums in the process. We got 18.1km/L out of it – so bang on the factory claim – but if you’re treading on eggshells for almost no additional speed, why bother with the 1.2 at all? Stick to the smaller one and you’ll be plenty happy.
Ride and handling
In many ways the Picanto is a delightful analogue riposte to the easy torque of electric vehicles everywhere: it’s light, and you feel a direct connection to the mechanical elements of the car, whether it’s the steering wheel, gearstick or pedals. The Picanto feels chuckable, and has that rental car quality of feeling like it can take a bit of abuse. Not something you can say of many EVs.
The Picanto feels perfectly happy to bop along a fast road at 100 to 110kph, as long as you plan your overtakes in advance. It’s delicate and precise, with very little weight in its steering. And obviously it’s tiny, so prone to sidewinds and skittishness. Definitely don’t go tornado hunting in one. But it’s not an effort to drive: far from it, it’s a joy at low speeds. 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.
It’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel and the driving controls are all sensibly laid out: the Picanto is perfect as a first car for those building up their hours on the road, or for someone who just wants to jump in and go. Thank those thin pillars for the confidence-inspiring visibility too.
Extra features
Kia’s been generous here: all cars get the 8-inch touchscreen as standard, as well as the 4.2-inch digital instrument panel. You probably won’t use the built-in navigation system too much though, as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity also come as standard. So you can pick your mapplication of choice.
You also get things like aircon and all-round electric windows, so you won’t feel like you’re being left out if you do opt for the entry-level car. The GT-Line adds 16in alloys, ‘sportier’ styling, LED lights front and rear, electric folding mirrors and a rear USB charging port.
If you want the best blend of equipment and value then the upper-mid-spec variant has heated front seats and steering wheel, auto aircon, keyless go and wireless phone charging.
Verdict
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 light bars might not be to everyone’s taste, but the Picanto is a sharp little thing.
The Picanto has learned 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.
For a first car or something that’s just needed as a runabout, you can’t go at all wrong with the Picanto.
Specs: 2025 Kia Picanto 1.2 GT-Line MT
Engine: 1.2-liter inline-4
Power: 77hp
Torque: 112Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Layout: Front wheel-drive
Seating: 5
Score: 7/10
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
