KIA Picanto

Moving inside, we find a modern and sophisticated interior that compliments the exterior well. The cabin materials and the cloth wrapping the seats have a nice feel. The cabin is spacious as well. There is 1300 mm of shoulder room at the front and 1280 mm of shoulder space at the rear. The dash has been redesigned to free up more legroom. The seats in the rear are 60:40 split foldable to do the same. The car itself is not that big but for its size, it provides ample room for its passengers. The dashboard layout is simple and elegant. Tall upright air conditioner vents at the two ends with the horizontal trim piece running across the centre of the dash gives it a chic European feel. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and feels nice to hold. Behind it is a twin-pod instrument cluster with an LCD multi info display in the middle. The centre console has large practical dials for the manual air conditioner. The infotainment is handled by a digital radio that is equipped with Bluetooth, USB and AUX functionality. There is no touchscreen but the radio itself does a good enough job along with the 4 speakers. The cargo space is big enough for a full-sized overnight bag.

Kia has come a long way from where it started. It now employs designers with clients like Audi on their resume and it certainly shows. The car is aimed at the youth and it looks as youthful as ever. We see the same style of youthful touches like the ones on Suzuki Ignis. Square (automatic) headlights go very well with the signature Kia Tiger nose grille. The U shape LED DRLs and the bigger side vents with red accents on the on the GT Line take it one notch higher. The GT Line also gets red accents on the grille that make it look extra sporty. As we move to the side we find that the car has a short sporty nose. The wheels are 13-inch on the Standard and 15-inch alloys on the GT Line. The side profile of the car is very neat with only a red accent on the GT Line. We move to the rear to find C shaped tail lights (LEDs on the GT Line) and a small roof-mounted spoiler along with the now rounded bumpers. While not the most attractive rear end in the segment, it does look very good. The biggest (or smallest in a way) element contributing to the looks of the car is definitely the size of the car. Unlike other similar hatchbacks, the Picanto has managed to not grow in size, while managing to increase the room inside. It is 3595 mm long which is same as before. Overall width is 1595 mm and height is 1495 mm. The whee, however ever has gone up by 15 mm to 2400 mm. The 151 mm of ground clearance also makes for practicality on bad city roads.

There is currently only one engine option in hand. It is the 1.2-litre Kappa 4 cylinder engine with dual CVVT and multi-point fuel injection. It is capable of producing 84 PS at 6400 rpm and 124 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. Power is delivered to the front wheels using the 5 speed manual or the 4 speed automatic transmission. The engine is refined and silent and is Euro 4 compliant. The biggest draw, however, has to be the fuel economy which can go up to 24 kmpl depending on the traffic conditions. Engine performance is otherwise good for a car of this size. Despite the GT Line’s sporty packaging, this is no hot hatchback. At higher speeds the car also gets noisy. Handling is good enough for a car of Picanto size, but the steering could use a bit more feel.

The Picanto is well equipped when it comes to safety equipment in its price range. It gets dual airbags, seat belts, ISOFIX, reverse parking sensors, and anti-lock brakes. At this price range we can’t really expect for more.

Overall the Picanto is a good looking small hatchback that gets all the basics amenities. It is economic, well equipped, and modern. However, its price range, especially for the GT Line spec, is about to breach into a segment above. Paying that much for a small Kia will seem ridiculous to most of us. Additionally, there are cars that are better equipped at the same price range. Is the Kia Picanto a better hatchback than before? Definitely yes. Is it the best? Probably not. Even so, if you are dead set to buy the Picanto then you may end up favouring the base over the GT Line spec.