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BHPian BraveArc recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
The 2024 KIA Picanto is not on sale in India. But it is on sale in Australia.
Picanto Pros:
Picanto Cons:
Thanks to Mossy Tariq from Sydney City KIA for lending me a car to review.
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.
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.
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.
Continue reading BHPian BraveArc's post for more insights and information.