UK Drive: Kia is still committed to the A-segment class with its latest Picanto
One of Britain’s cheapest new cars on sale has just received an extensive facelift to keep the city car segment alive. Cameron Richards has driven it.
What is it?
The city car is dead, right? Not in Kia’s eyes – it still thinks the Picanto has some tricks up its sleeve to entice buyers away from crossovers and compact SUVs.
The little Kia has been around for two decades and in that time it has matured and grown to become one of the best cars in the compact car class.
Underneath its skin, you’ll find the same running gear as the Hyundai i10 and while both cars may have the same mechanicals, there are changes in their engine choices, equipment levels and styling. We’ve been driving the latest Picanto to see if this extensive facelift has kept it at the top of the A-segment class.
What’s new?
Believe it or not, but the current generation Picanto has been around since 2017 and this is its third facelift to keep it in-line with its shrinking competition.
Exterior shape has remained the same, but there is a more aggressive front end that takes styling cues from its big brother, the EV9 SUV, while at the back there is now a light bar and fresh rear tail lights as well as an updated rear bumper.
Inside, there’s not much that has changed from the old car, but that doesn’t matter as the Picanto focuses on big car toys for a smaller price tag.
What’s under the bonnet?
We’re driving the entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that delivers 62bhp and has a top speed of 90mph. Acceleration isn’t scintillating at 15.4 seconds to go from 0-60mph – but you’re not going to be buying this car for outright performance.
