Overview
KIA’s tiny Picanto five-door hatch is essentially the most reasonably priced new automobile available on the market listed from $17,890 + ORC for the five-speed guide Sport mannequin with a four-speed auto (the place Kia would supply a four-speed auto from is anybody’s guess) including $1600.
The guide GT-Line examined is from $19,690 + ORC with the auto choice additionally including $1600.
MG’s outdated 3 mannequin is across the identical cash however gained’t final lengthy as keen patrons snap them up.
The Picanto has been round for yonks first seeing the sunshine of day again in late 2016 however has gone by means of one thing of a metamorphosis alongside the best way ensuing within the newest iteration full with present Kia’s “Opposites United” styling, droopy lights and funky element options together with the wheels.
At a pinch you might be able to squeeze 5 individuals inside however there isn’t a lot baggage house down the again at 255 litres.
Nevertheless, that’s lacking the purpose right here because the Picanto doesn’t faux to be an SUV and is actually solely a runabout with a rear seat that may be folded (creating 1010 litres) to hold extra stuff.
Its compact dimensions, frivolously weighted electrical energy steering and a reverse digital camera make for simple parking, the upright physique contributing to good all-round visibility.
Entry for bigger individuals could also be problematic due to the smallish door apertures.
The GT-Line seems cute, is surprisingly effectively geared up and is comparatively easy mechanically with a 62kW/122Nm 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving the entrance wheels.
It drinks common (91 RON) unleaded petrol at a claimed mixed price of 5.4 litres per 100km from a 35-litre tank.
The suspension is a strut entrance and rudimentary torsion beam on the again with four-wheel discs behind trendy 16-inch machine-finished diamond lower alloy wheels on the GT-Line.
The highest mannequin scores pleather (synthetic leather-based) upholstery and a D-cut tilt adjustable sports activities steering wheel, gloss black sprint accents, and alloy pedals amongst a raft of enhancements over the Sport mannequin.
Changing the earlier mannequin’s analogue dials are new digital gauges set in 4.2-inch screens complemented by an honest measurement 8.0-inch floating touchscreen infotainment show in the course of the sprint.
Rear seat passengers within the GT-Line can keep related with the addition of USB Sort-C charging ports.
Security package features a vary of Kia’s ADAS as commonplace throughout each trims that features blind spot collision avoidance help, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance help, lane observe help, and lane maintaining help.
Electrical and folding facet mirrors with built-in indicators are newly commonplace throughout each trims with a heating operate on the GT-Line.
Picanto is on the market in a seven-colour palette with a brand new Adventurous Inexperienced being added this time round.
Driving Impressions
Driving a bit automobile like this creates a complete new set of points because of the surprising disrespect proven it by different highway customers.
Throughout our stint within the Picanto, we misplaced rely of the occasions we have been squeezed off the highway, not given proper of approach, tailgated, compelled to take evasive motion and usually handled poorly.
Why is anybody’s guess, however it’s a critical perspective downside that must be addressed as a result of we have been driving the take a look at mannequin the identical approach we drive different testers and that, expensive reader, is just not timidly, erratically, aggressively or stupidly.
Because the French adage goes c’est la vie, however actually, loads of peeps on the market must get their act collectively on this one…
Although holding some trepidation concerning the measurement and drive really feel of the Picanto, we have been pleasantly shocked by Kia’s tiddler throughout a variety of functions together with, funnily sufficient, its efficiency which is spectacular for what seems fairly doughy on paper.
Its naturally aspirated engine mates sweetly with the take a look at automobile’s guide transmission to ship spritely acceleration with (even) respectable roll-on at highways pace typically requiring a down change however not at all times.
Hand on coronary heart, the five-speed ‘field might most likely do with a smoother shift motion, particularly going into reverse, and one other cog to optimise efficiency and economic system however it isn’t completely mandatory as on take a look at we noticed mixed gasoline consumption fall to 4.5 litres per 100km.
That correlates to low cost transport, as on the time 91 RON unleaded was round $1.50 a litre, which means a 100km drive would value roughly $6.75. Not even a bus fare!
The engine may be heard working a number of the time, however we muffled it by way of the respectable audio system fitted to the GT-Line. We obtained to cram in 5 adults too which was, erm, attention-grabbing, however do-able albeit just for a short while.
Loaded thus, the Picanto confirmed no actual ill-effects save for barely dented acceleration.
We folded the rear pew and used it successfully as a small supply van and if we owned the beast, would most likely take the rear row out and stow it within the shed making a full-time two-seat minivan.
Just like the powertrain, different driving facets of the Picanto measure up because it provides a managed journey from a comparatively easy suspension comprising struts up entrance and a flex beam down the again.
Even on the pitifully potholed native roads, the Picanto delivered an honest stage of consolation aided by the short steering that allowed us to keep away from many of the larger holes however solely after switching off the lane maintaining help.
The GT-Line has bigger 16-inch wheels and decrease profile tyres in comparison with the Sport mannequin however no diminution to drive really feel or NVH technology was perceptible.
4-wheel disc brakes capably cease the 993kg Picanto GT-Line guide aided by grippy rubber.
You sit shut collectively for positive however inside house has been effectively laid out making the Picanto simple to drive and journey in with loads of package to maintain you comfy, entertained and secure.
After per week of driving the Picanto GT-Line guide we grew to love the little rascal on a number of fronts, particularly its frugal gasoline use, respectable efficiency, cute seems beneficiant quantity of normal package and fascinating drive really feel… in its personal runabout type of approach.
Pity about all of the boofheads on the market who’ve a difficulty with measurement…
