Where competitors like the Opel Karl, the Volkswagen Up and the Peugeot 108 disappeared, the Kia Picanto simply continues to exist. In fact, there is a new version. Although much of the new Kia Picanto (2024) remained the same.
What stands out about the Kia Picanto facelift (2024)?
One competitor after another of the Kia Picanto has stopped in recent years. The Renault Twingo and the old Fiat 500 are the most recent models that have been consigned to the eternal hunting grounds, although at least a modern (but expensive) electric successor to the Fiat is still on the road.
Profit margins are small on these cars, and at the same time they have to meet strict safety and environmental requirements. As a result, development costs are relatively high and the bookkeepers of the brands look over the shoulders of the designers and technicians.
Still, it seems smart of Kia to just keep building the Picanto. In the Netherlands, the car is extremely popular and manages to attract thousands of people to the showroom every year. It is always in the bestseller top 5.
Don’t expect too much from the changes, because nothing is really new Come on Picanto (2024) not. Only the appearance was refreshed after seven years. But the length remained exactly the same (3.95 meters) and the wheelbase did not change either (2.40 meters). Just like you do not get an extra liter in the luggage compartment; you can store 255-1010 liters, just like in the previous Picanto.
A free car test every week? You can if you sign up for our weekly newsletter!
There is no bloodcurdling news to report about the engine either: the Picanto remains available with the 63 hp petrol engine. Unfortunately, the fine 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 80 hp is no longer for sale here.
Kia has certainly made an effort with the new look. The narrow headlights that continue into the bumper and into the grille are particularly striking. The bumper itself is equipped with enormous air intakes, as if an eight-cylinder is hidden under the bonnet.
At the back, the Picanto follows the fashion, it got a light strip across the entire width of the car. That suits it well. Whether that also applies to the fake diffuser on our GT-Line, is a matter of taste.
The changes in the interior are more modest. The analogue speedometer has made way for a digital one and modern conveniences such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also on board. Of course, the Picanto also received some obligatory new colours, such as the ‘adventurous green’ that you see in the photos.
What’s good about the Kia Picanto?
Although the Kia Picanto is one of the smallest cars in the Netherlands, the number of safety features is large. In addition to six airbags, it has, depending on the version, a blind spot warning, a lane keeping assistant and a system that keeps the car in the middle of the lane, and warns you if you approach a vehicle in front (car, bicycle or pedestrian) too closely.
Driving it is fine. In the city, the three-cylinder is in its element and you slalom your way quickly and nimbly through the busy traffic. Then you also find a parking space more easily than the 5.09 meter long Kia EV9, which is looking for a spot together with you. The chassis and the seats are comfortable enough to drive long distances – a Picanto as daily driver is really no punishment.
Even when the road surface could do with a makeover, the Picanto knows how to disguise it. Manual shifting is still the norm in small cars and that is not a problem, because the five-speed gearbox of the Picanto shifts precisely.
What could be improved about the Kia Picanto?
The naturally aspirated engine of 63 hp and 93 Nm grunts contentedly on the highway at a speed of 100 km/h. And because the seating comfort and the chassis tuning are fine, we grunt happily along. But if you want to quickly overtake a truck or conquer the hills of the Amstel Gold Race with the car, the weaknesses are exposed.
Below 2500 rpm the engine is powerless, a lot of downshifting and deep acceleration is the motto. You also notice it in the 0-100 km/h, which takes 15.4 seconds. We can’t get angry with the engine, because even when it has to work hard, a Picanto doesn’t become a big drinker. During our test week we even stay slightly below the EU consumption of 5.4 l/100 km – we get 5.1 liters (1 in 19.6).
What is the price of the Kia Picanto facelift (2024)?
The Picanto costs 18,995 euros and is therefore one of the cheapest cars in the Netherlands. Our richly equipped test car has a price tag of 23,695 euros. Prefer a Picanto with automatic transmission? That is possible, but then Kia will send a tikkie of at least 20,995 euros.
‘Cheap’ is a relative term. You will notice this if you look at a price list from 10 years ago. At that time, a Picanto cost just over 9,000 euros. So it has doubled in price. If you don’t have much money to spend, such an amount will really add up. Although you can’t go shopping at the competition, because at Volkswagen the cheapest car (a Polo) already costs 26,990 euros. Which unfortunately means that we have to conclude that really affordable new cars are no longer available.
There will also be an electric Picanto at some point, but that will probably take until the end of this decade. Then the battery costs will be so low that Kia can offer the Picanto for 20,000 euros.
What do I think of the Kia Picanto?
You do the renewed Picanto a great injustice by portraying it as a city pastry. Its mature driving behaviour and extensive equipment make this compact car attractive to anyone who cannot or does not want to pay tens of thousands of euros for a new car. In terms of comfort, safety and multimedia, you do not have to make many concessions. Only the engine reminds you that you are driving one of the cheapest cars in the Netherlands.
Do you want to drive a new Kia Picanto for a fixed monthly amount? Check out our private lease comparator. There you will also find the best Kia Picanto private lease deal.
Source: www.autoreview.nl
