Kia Picanto: The good & the bad

The Picanto is the second most affordable car in Kia Philippines’ lineup as the cute little hatch sits just above the Kia Soluto. So, how exactly is it different from the Soluto and whether or not you should jump a notch higher to get this car? Let's find out.

Kia Picanto Pros

 

Good looks

We can confidently say that the Kia Picanto is, if not the best, one of the best looking cars in its segment. It has been designed keeping in mind the younger lot of the population. It features a pair of large headlamps that are projector-type units for added styling and functionality. Also, we have Kia’s signature front grille that bridges the gap between the two headlamps. We also get nicely designed fog lamps and a large blacked-out radiator grille. As a whole, the front end of the Picanto looks very attractive.

Moving on to the side profile of the car, we see stylish alloy wheels and a subtle character line on the doors. The hatch also gets body-coloured outside rearview mirrors. The rear end of the Picanto has been given relatively smaller tail lights when you bring the headlamps into the picture. We like their shape and from no angle do they tend to look out of place. Kia has also added a decently-sized roof-mounted rear spoiler for that extra sporty feel. This spoiler comes with an integrated high mount stop lamp. The rear bumper looks quite sporty as well.

Compact dimensions

You might not notice it in the pictures but when you see the car in person, you would realise how compact it actually is. Kia has designed it that way with a purpose to serve. The Picanto is a breeze to handle in the city. Its small and compact dimensions allow it to be easily manoeuvred. With the kind of traffic we are now facing,

especially during peak morning and evening hours, it would be wiser to drive a small car than a big SUV. Another advantage of having a small car is ease in parking. The Picanto can be easily parked even in the tightest of parking spots without much drama. And the reverse parking camera along with static guidelines help you to do so.

Impressive interior

Don’t be fooled by the compact dimensions of the Picanto as it still manages to provide a good amount of cabin space. Even the boot space is pretty decent. Kia has really done a great job in this area. Also, the quality of the materials used is pretty good. Even the seats are very well designed with proper bolstering, cushioning, and support. The all-black interior theme feels quite sporty. There is a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration.

Kia Picanto Cons

 

Less powerful engine

The Kia Picanto specs sheet list two engine options - 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre. Unfortunately, even the more powerful one isn’t powerful enough. We aren’t even talking about the 1.0-litre unit. The 1.2-litre unit produces 84 PS of max power at 6,000 rpm and generates 121 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm.

Even though the car is very compact in size, it should still have a more powerful engine. Perhaps, if you drive the Picanto in a very relaxed manner every single time, then you might be satisfied with the engine performance. But considering the sporty cabin and steering wheel, there will come a time when you are going to floor it and then you would realise the lack of power.

Limited safety features

Kia hasn’t really impressed us when it comes to safety. There are only a limited number of safety features on the Picanto; dual front SRS airbags and ABS. These are the only ones worth mentioning. We would have liked more than that and we know Kia could have done much better than that as well.

Bad tyres

Perhaps, because of its weight and compact dimensions, the Picanto handles pretty well. Not that you are going to or can drive it very enthusiastically but still it is quite agile in corners. What spoils the whole experience is bad tyres. They don’t really offer enough grip to give you the confidence to take that corner at a high speed.

Should you buy one?

The Picanto would be a good choice for parents who are looking to buy a new and first car for their kid. It offers good looks, spacious & sporty interior, and is easy to drive. It doesn’t come with very powerful engines so you would be at the peace of mind with your child driving it. The Picanto would also be a good choice for anyone who has just learned how to drive.

The Kia Picanto price starts at Php 635,000 for its base model and the hatch is available in eleven colors - Orange, Blue, Titanium Silver, Aurora Black, Clear White, Shiny Red, Light Yellow, Alice Blue, Honey Bee, Milky Beige, and Sparkling Silver.

Also Read:- 2020 Kia Seltos starts at Php 1.098M