[BraveArc]

2024 KIA Picanto Review

The 2024 KIA Picanto is not on sale in India. But it is on sale in Australia.

Picanto Pros:

• A well rounded feature heavy hatchback. Makes most of the more expensive cars look bad
• Unlike most cars in the price range, does not look boring especially in GT-line variant
• Ideal for city driving, the Picanto’s small size and tight turning radius make it easy to navigate through tight spaces and congested areas
• Made in Korea and it shows. Precise build & quality
• Even the base model comes with a decent array of features and modern safety tech like Autonomous Emergency Braking
• Seven-year/unlimited km warranty adds peace of mind, especially for first-time buyers or those looking for a reliable used car in the future
• Manual transmission is still available and is the better option for those who enjoy driving

Picanto Cons:

• The GT variant and it’s amazing 1.0L turbo is no longer available anywhere in the world
• No economical diesel either
• The 1.2L engine is underpowered, requiring high revs to maintain momentum especially on hilly terrain; cabin noise is too much during these situations
• While feature heavy, misses out on keyless entry/exit and button start
• The interior materials and overall quality are basic
• Narrow width makes it a 4-seater
• The four-speed automatic transmission is slow and less responsive, making it less enjoyable to drive
• The GT-Line’s 16-inch wheels result in a harsher ride, particularly on rough city streets

Thanks to Mossy Tariq from Sydney City KIA for lending me a car to review

Introduction

KIA has given its popular city car, the Picanto, a significant update for 2024, aiming to keep it competitive. It shares the same platform and powertrain as the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios(not sold in Australia). Known for its compact dimensions and affordability, the Picanto faces stiff competition from models like the Suzuki Swift and MG 3. Despite these challenges, the 2024 Picanto seeks to maintain its status as a top choice for city users with massively refreshed styling, new tech, and improved features that make it an attractive option for those looking for a practical yet stylish small car.

KIA Picanto Price & Brochure

The KIA Picanto is available in two variants - Sport and GT-Line. Both variants come with manual and automatic options. Prices start at A$20,690 and go all the way up to A$23,490 (On-road/Drive away).

Download the 2024 KIA Picanto brochure here: https://www.kia.com/content/dam/kwcm...o-brochure.pdf

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Exterior

Design & Styling

The 2024 Picanto features a majorly refreshed and bold exterior design that is heavily influenced by their new design language. Despite its compact dimensions—3,595mm in length, 1,595mm in width, and 1,485mm in height—the Picanto manages to pack in a surprising amount of character. KIA has updated the Picanto’s front end, giving it a more assertive look with a redesigned grille and new headlights that are sharper and more angular compared to previous models. There is a light bar connecting the two headlights which looks really neat in the nights. The rear lights have had a redesign as well and the semi-light bar at the rear (The actual LED doesn’t go completely from left to right) adds a contemporary touch, creating a cohesiveness that complements the car’s overall design language.

The GT-Line variant offers additional sporty touches, such as a more pronounced body kit and 16-inch alloy wheels that give the Picanto a more dynamic appearance.

Build Quality, Fit & Finish

The Picanto is one of the few models manufactured in South Korea. The doors, tailgate and bonnet have a good deal of weight to them and the doors shut with a nice, premium sound. There's very little flex if you press the metal and no uneven panel gaps. You hardly get to see this with budget cars. It's very satisfying. The fit and finish are typical KIA and quality is top class, inside out

Wheels & Tyres

The 2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, which are shod with 195/45 R16 Nexen tires. This setup not only enhances the car's sporty appeal but also contributes to a more confident and composed handling experience on the road. The larger wheels and wider tires provide better grip and stability, especially when cornering, making the Picanto feel more planted than other small cars in its class. The lower Sport variant, on the other hand, comes with 14-inch alloy wheels and narrower 175/65 R14 Nexen tires, which, while better and more softer for city driving, don't offer the same level of performance as the GT-Line's setup.

Ground Clearance

The ground clearance is approximately 151mm, which is typical for a vehicle in this segment. It is sufficient for navigating most urban environments, including speed bumps and uneven road surfaces.

Standard & Extended Warranty

KIA Australia offers a standard warranty of 7 years with unlimited kilometers, which is one of the more generous warranties available in the market. This warranty covers a range of components and provides peace of mind for long-term ownership. Additionally, KIA does offer extended warranty options that can further protect against unexpected repairs after the standard warranty period ends.

Maintenance

The service intervals for the 2024 Picanto are set at 12 months or 15,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Kia’s capped-price servicing program ensures that owners know upfront what their maintenance costs will be for the first seven services. This program covers essential components such as engine oil, filters, and brake fluids, helping to keep the Picanto in optimal running condition while minimizing unexpected costs.

Safety

The 2024 Kia Picanto has received a significant upgrade in its safety features, making it one of the safer options in the small car segment. Although specific crash test ratings for this model aren't widely published yet, Kia has bolstered the Picanto's safety credentials by including a range of ADAS features as standard including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic collision assist, etc. You also get 6 airbags as standard, ESC, ABS with EBD, reverse sensors, hill-start assist, two ISOFIX child seat anchors, auto headlamps (no auto wipers though), 3-point seatbelts for all passengers and rear disc brakes.

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Interior

Cabin Design & Quality

The 2024 KIA Picanto offers a cabin that is well-designed, especially for its size and segment. The dashboard layout is simple yet modern, with a focus on functionality. The use of piano black and subtle chrome accents in the GT-Line variant adds a bit of flair, making the cabin feel more upmarket. The overall design is user-friendly, with intuitive placement of controls and a straightforward interface for the infotainment system. However, while the materials are durable and easy to clean similar to other vehicles in this class, the cabin is dominated by hard plastics.

The quality of fit and finish in the Picanto is commendable for a city car, with tight panel gaps and solid-feeling switchgear. Despite the prevalence of hard plastics, KIA has made an effort to soften the cabin with touches like leather-wrapped elements, such as the steering wheel and gear shifter. These small details help to elevate the interior ambiance and make daily driving a bit more enjoyable.

Space & Comfort

Given its compact exterior dimensions, the Picanto makes efficient use of its interior space. The front seats are reasonably comfortable with adequate support for city driving. The GT-line variant offers synthetic leather upholstery, which adds to the comfort and gives the cabin a more refined appearance. The driver's seat is manually adjustable, and while it lacks some of the adjustments found in larger cars, it should accommodate most drivers comfortably.

The cabin also feels airy thanks to large windows and a well-designed roofline that doesn't compromise headroom too much.

Driving Position & Ergonomics

The driving position in the 2024 Kia Picanto is well-suited for urban driving. The seating is relatively high, which provides a good view of the road ahead and makes maneuvering through city traffic easier. The instrumentation is clear and easy to read, with a modern “digital” display that supposedly enhances the driving experience. It’s the same one used in the 2023 Verna. I would rather have had an analog instrument cluster than this.

In the Picanto you get a 3-spoke steering wheel which is tilt-adjustable, but lacks telescopic adjustment, which might be a slight drawback for some drivers. The controls are logically laid out and within easy reach, contributing to a hassle-free driving experience. The infotainment system, which includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen, is positioned to minimize distractions while driving.

Cabin Storage

Storage spaces in the Picanto are average for a car of its size. The front doors can accommodate small bottles and other essentials. The center console offers a neat storage space in front of the gear lever with a couple of hidden cup holders. If the cup holders are open then you can place a smartphone there and if the cupholders are closed there’s a lot of usable space. There is a storage box underneath the centre armrest which is useful for keeping my sunglasses case. Rear passengers get seatback pockets. The glovebox is modestly sized but sufficient for typical use.

Air-Conditioning

The Picanto's air-conditioning system is effective. Even on hot days, the system manages to cool the cabin quickly. The controls are the standard knobs on both variants. Sadly, unlike the Grand i10 Nios, there are no A/C vents for the rear passengers.

Features

Unique & Noteworthy Features

The 2024 KIA Picanto may be a compact city car, but it comes equipped with a surprising array of features that add to its appeal. One of the standout features is its 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which supports both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The GT-Line variant also adds sporty elements such as a flat-bottom steering wheel and piano black accents, which give the cabin a more dynamic feel.

Audio System & Sound Quality

The audio system in the 2024 Kia Picanto, while not as premium as those found in larger or more expensive cars, does a decent job for a vehicle in this segment. Both trims come equipped with a 6-speaker setup that delivers clear and balanced sound throughout the cabin. The system is well-suited for casual listening. However, audiophiles may find the system lacking in depth and bass, which is common for standard audio setups in small cars.

Overall, while the Picanto's audio system may not be a highlight, it is more than sufficient for the average driver, especially considering the car's price point and the segment it competes in.

Rear Passengers

Rear Seat Comfort & Space

The car is designed primarily for short city trips rather than long-distance cruising, and this is evident in its rear seat design and space. While the rear seats can accommodate two adults comfortably, three adults will find the space tight, especially in terms of shoulder room. The legroom is adequate, but taller passengers might feel cramped, particularly on longer journeys.

KIA has done a commendable job with seat cushioning and overall comfort. The seats are reasonably supportive, with decent padding that provides comfort over short to medium distances. The shape of the car gives it a flat roofline and as a result, good headroom for even those who are over 6’ tall. On the GT-Line variant, there is a single USB-C charging port for rear passengers.

Boot Space

The 2024 Kia Picanto offers a boot capacity of around 255 liters, which is in line with other cars in its segment. This space is sufficient for everyday items like shopping bags or small luggage but may prove limiting for larger loads. The rear seats can be folded down to expand the cargo space to 1,010 liters although the seats don't fold completely flat, which can make it difficult to load larger or irregularly shaped items.

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Driving the 2024 KIA Picanto 1.2L Automatic

1.2L, 4-cylinder petrol engine makes 83 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm @ 4,000 rpm:


With the 1.0L Turbo petrol discontinued, the 2024 KIA Picanto only has a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated engine which delivers 83hp(62kW) and 122 Nm of torque, which is adequate for a vehicle of its size and weight. The car’s lightness (around 976 kg) helps it feel nimble in city driving, though the engine needs to work hard, especially when overtaking or climbing hills. The four-speed automatic can feel dated, particularly when the engine revs higher and produces a coarse sound under load. The five-speed manual transmission is more smooth and offers more control over gear selection but won’t find many takers.

In terms of handling, the Picanto is well-suited for urban environments. Its small size and tight 9.4-metre turning circle make it easy to navigate through congested streets and into tight parking spots. The steering is light and responsive making it ideal for city driving. The suspension is tuned to handle city roads well, absorbing most bumps and irregularities, but it can be noisy over sharper potholes.

On the highway, the Picanto is capable but not entirely at home. The engine revs high, between 3000 and 4000 rpm, to maintain speed, resulting in noticeable wind and road noise. While it’s not a natural highway cruiser, it performs adequately for its size, aided by features like lane-keeping assist with active lane-centering, although some may find the system overly intrusive.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)

The Picanto’s NVH levels are in line with expectations for a car in this segment. At lower speeds and in urban settings, it manages to keep engine noise relatively subdued. However, as the engine revs higher, particularly in the automatic version, it becomes more noticeable and can sound coarse. Wind and road noise become more prominent at highway speeds, reflecting the car’s limitations as a long-distance cruiser. The suspension does a decent job of managing vibrations from city road surfaces, though it can get noisy over larger potholes or speed bumps.

Mileage & Fuel Economy

The 2024 Kia Picanto is efficient, with an official combined fuel consumption rating of 18.5 km/l for the manual version. The automatic variant is slightly less frugal, I seemed to be getting around 13-14 km/l in city use. The car’s 35-litre fuel tank, combined with its mileage, gives it a decent range of over 500 km on a full tank, making it an economical choice. I filled the basic 91-Octane petrol.

Bonnet does not get insulation underneath


No covering in the bottom to protect engine bay. Probably not required for a city car

Suspension

Ride Comfort

The 2024 KIA Picanto is equipped with a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam axle suspension, much like the Grand i10 Nios, and is designed to prioritize comfort in urban environments. The Picanto rides on 14-inch or 16-inch wheels depending on the variant, with tyres that balance between comfort and agility. At low speeds, the ride quality is generally smooth, absorbing small bumps and irregularities on city streets. The suspension is tuned to handle minor potholes and road imperfections well, which contributes to a comfortable experience for daily commutes.

However, due to its compact size and light weight, the Picanto can feel slightly unsettled over larger road imperfections and on rougher surfaces or at higher speeds, the suspension transmits more of the road’s roughness into the cabin. Despite this, the Picanto remains a competent city car with a ride quality that suits its intended purpose.

Torsion beam at the rear:


Handling & Dynamics

In terms of handling, the Picanto is agile and easy to maneuver. The steering is light and responsive, making it ideal for tight city driving and parking.

While the Picanto isn’t designed for spirited driving, it does offer a level of confidence and stability that is commendable.At higher speeds, the Picanto remains stable, but its lightweight and short wheelbase mean that it is more susceptible to crosswinds and road imperfections. Some body roll when taking corners at speed is a given so I play it safe and just slow down. The car is more about practical and comfortable driving than performance-oriented handling.

It’s an ideal car for city dwellers who need something easy to drive and park, with handling characteristics that support this use case

Steering

The 2024 Picanto features an Electric Power Steering that is tuned to be light, making it convenient for city driving. After moving from the Suzuki Alto (Maruti A-Star), the lightness of the steering also makes it easy to drive for longer periods without getting tired. On highways, as speeds increase the steering does weigh up, but it still remains on the lighter side. Do not expect some real feel of connection to the road. It’s a Picanto, not a Porsche!

Braking

The braking system is composed of ventilated disc brakes at the front and disc brakes at the rear. The braking performance is very good for daily driving in the city, providing good stopping power and a consistent feel. The brake pedal is progressive and easy to modulate, which is ideal for maintaining control during sudden stops or in heavy traffic. Even on highways, I am confident with the stopping power of the car. Then again, it doesn’t have much go so….

Niggles & Problems

KIA has a generally strong reputation for reliability. However, as with any car, it's important to be aware of potential issues. While there haven't been widespread reports of significant problems with the 2024 model so far, prospective buyers should keep an eye on other early ownership reviews as they become available. The seven year warranty gives me confidence in the vehicle. The engine is tried and tested as well so not really worried about having any breakdowns.

BUT, Hyundai and KIA have had issues with paint peeling off after a few years. Enough number of owners have this issue that they have taken the companies to courts. Nothing of the sort on vehicles from this decade but then again these vehicles are not old. So only time will tell.

[BraveArc]

KIA Picanto Exterior Images

The front of the GT-Line is dominated by a light bar that is flanked on both sides by LED projector headlamps with daytime running lights (DRLs). There are a lot of black accents which is either love or hate. Surprisingly no fog lamps in the front


Unlike the front, the rear design is a lot more simple. It too is dominated by a light bar.


The side profile is simple as well. Wheels look really good.


From an angle, the GT-Line bodykit helps give the car a much better look


Rear diffuser is prominent


KIA's seven year warranty gives peace of mind and they want you to know it


Smoked headlamp clusters feature LED projectors with LED DRLs and LED turn indicators that match KIA's new design language


Sport variant gets a much simpler front. Halogen headlights. Instead of a light bar there is a grey plastic piece.


No sheet under the engine means taking it out of roads is a risk. Ground clearance is 151mm


A close up of the diffuder. Tow hook is in the middle and exhaust is neatly hidden


Partial cladding for front wheel arches


16" wheels look really good. Ventilated discs at the front


Discs at the rear. Also can see the lack of any cladding in the arch.


Sport variant rims are 14" and probably are more comfortable on Sydney roads


Reverse camera and boot handle and hidden under the rear light bar. Helps give a clean look to the overall rear


Short & stubby antenna located towards the rear


Sticker on the inside of the fuel flap to indicate its dietary preferences. Fuel tank capacity = 35 litres


Body-coloured ORVMs are electrically foldable and have integrated turn indicators


Body-coloured door handles. The keyhole is only on the driver's side. Disappoingly no unlock button so have to use the key fob.


DRLs are prominent and standout


Sadly, the lightbar is not active


Lightbar is on with parking light and headlight. Does look nice.


Indicator turns off the DRL in the respective side


The lightbar does not connect for the rear tail lights


Brake lights


Low beams result in the top two projectors being active


High beam activates the third projector


Rear fog light is at the bottom

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KIA Picanto Interior Images

The dashboard is well put together and nicely finished with no harsh or rough edges. Overall is quite simple. Flat bottom steering is available only on GT-Line


Sport variant gets the same steering wheel without the flat bottom. Note the manual gear gets the same colour stitching as the steering.


Audio and infotainment-related controls are located on the left spoke, while the right spoke holds switches for the cruise control and lane keeping system


Basic wiper and light stalks. Turn indicators have a 'lane change' feature, which makes them flash thrice when the stalk is tapped lightly. While automatic headlamps have been provided, automatic wipers have been left out of the feature list


No start button, just a basic keyhole located on the right of the steering wheel. Traction control switch and headlight leveller are to the right of he steering wheel


Fuel flap release lever is located near the door sill. Floor mat has old 'Picanto' font


Side air-con vents have a different look to the ones in the middle. Middle knob can be twisted to turn off air flow. Piano black finish is only on the GT-Line


Fuse box and OBD port right underneath


Like the dashboard, the doorpads get an all-black colour theme with a piano black insert. Door handles are finished in satin silver. Front door armrests are padded and covered in faux leather at the place where you rest your elbow. Space for one 1-litre bottle in the door pocket.


Only the driver's window gets one-touch up & down and anti-pinch functionality. Door mirrors are electrically foldable


Aluminium pedals for the GT-Line


Sport variant get normal pedals


Front seats provide good support. Side bolstering is decent and there is sufficient padding. The material feels good and long lasting. Seats are slightly towards the firmer side


Only 4-way adjustment for drivers


Sport variant gets cloth seats with a different pattern


IRVM is wide enough to cover the entire rear windshield but the windshield itself is relatively small. Somewhere hidden behind the mirror is a sensor that detects if you are paying attention to the road or not.


Centre fascia is slightly tilted toward the driver. Piano black panelling has been used around the infotainment system. A neat satin sikver strip divides the screen and A/C vents


A/C controls are basic. No climate control. KIA being nice and providing a USB-A and USB-C.


Centre console has quite a few storage spaces


Lot of space in front of the gear lever


Cup holders are neatly hidden away and can be opened with the bottons on either side


Storage box is deep and can hold sunglasses easily


Glovebox has decent amount of storage as well


Bluetooth microphone and a simple lamp cluster in the front. No lamp for the back


Rear door pads have a similar theme as the front door pads. No bottleholder or pocket


Might not look much in terms of rear legroom but it's sufficient. The floor hump is small which allows a fifth passenger. Would not like to be the middle passenger though


Legroom is decent. I am 180cm tall and I set front seat is in a position I would use as a passenger as well.


ISOFIX child seat anchors have been provided on both sides. Pattern looks nice. Looks like they may have wanted to put ventilated seats


Rear passengers get a USB-C to charge their mobile devices


Door handles for three passengers

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ORVM feels large in such a tiny car. Blind spot warning light can be seen.


The boot's mouth is wide, but loading lip is high. 255 liters of boot space


Two baggage hooks on either side and the boot light are on the left


Rear seat splits in a 60:40 ratio. Folding the seatbacks gives you additional cargo capacity upto 1010 liters. It's not at all a flat floor though


Space saver spare wheel

KIA Picanto Instrument Cluster & MID

Instrument cluster is same as the 2023 Hyundai Verna. Can change to three different colours


The MID has a cool graphic on startup


Shows real time fuel efficiency


Settings menu


Driving assistance menu


A few of the safety systems can be deactivated


Instrument cluster controls


Infotainment screen default view


Home screen


Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto


Reverse camera (Has moving grid lines)


Settings screen

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[JunkyardHunter]

Holy moly, this is the best ownership review I have read in a loong time. Had to keep pinching myself to believe that this isn't an official review!

[vdi]

Originally Posted by JunkyardHunter

Holy moly, this is the best ownership review I have read in a loong time. Had to keep pinching myself to believe that this isn't an official review!

Agreed, 100%.

[Gautham_v6]

I just live the way the Picanto looks. More than the Nios the interior feels a notch better. It's unfortunate that Kia has not considered this car for Indian market. Anyways with B segment cars having moderate to low sales, it is only sensible from a business perspective that they can rather earn better margins by selling SUV and MPV cars

[psyph3r]

This car was probably designed by a Star Wars fan, all I can see is an enlarged Storm Trooper.

[Doonite]

Originally Posted by JunkyardHunter

Holy moly, this is the best ownership review I have read in a loong time. Had to keep pinching myself to believe that this isn't an official review!

Originally Posted by vdi

Agreed, 100%.

This a not an ownership review of Kia Picanto. The reviewer clearly states at the beginning that the car has been borrowed/lent from a Kia dealership in Sydney.

[idontdrivedoi]

This review hits so close to the official reviews done by Team BHP. Pretty thorough, I'd say. Now I'm wishing and praying on Hyundai rebadging the Picanto in the next generation of the i10 (perhaps the Picanto moniker can be suffixed to the name.. "i10 Picanto"). This car feels like a more complete small hatchback. In that case.. they should also make a N Line version (and all of that is wishful thinking, I'm aware).

Seriously though, this feels like the better of the Korean cousins. The looks are imposing, it has tons of features and feels like a well-rounded package. I still do not understand the lack of keyless entry in this day and age.. as I've mentioned in many threads, my 2016 top-end i10 has it, so almost a decade on, most cars should've had it. But not quite, I guess.

[BraveArc]

Originally Posted by JunkyardHunter

Holy moly, this is the best ownership review I have read in a loong time. Had to keep pinching myself to believe that this isn't an official review!

Originally Posted by vdi

Agreed, 100%.

Originally Posted by idontdrivedoi

This review hits so close to the official reviews done by Team BHP. Pretty thorough, I'd say.

Thanks. Tried to emulate the official reviews as much as possible. Might try and write a review whenever I can for interesting consumer vehicles.

Originally Posted by Doonite

This a not an ownership review of Kia Picanto. The reviewer clearly states at the beginning that the car has been borrowed/lent from a Kia dealership in Sydney.

Haha. Thanks for noticing and pointing that out.

Albeit I did just take delivery of mine yesterday. Had a 45 day wait.