The Kia Picanto has long been the go-to guy in the cheap-car class.
It’s small, and is a relatively cheap -like thing to buy, too. This Korean micro-car is a little less attractive than it was before, but has been under pressure from recent price jumps.
It’s arguably the hardest thing to justify when you’re working with a low budget for your new city car, and this review is of the range-topping GT-Line auto variant.
Is it worth checking out if you’re reading the base manual by James, as when you are spending less on that Picanto is probably best for its work.
So, should you consider the GT-Line flagship? And is the automatic variant worth a shot? Read on to find out.
How much does the Kia Picanto cost?
The price of this coin-conscious model range has increased for 2026, as prices have risen with $800 on the list cost for every grade but without any changes or adjustments to its spec.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Kia Picanto Sport 5MT | $19,190 |
| 2026 Kia Picanto Sport 4AT | $20,790 |
| 2026 Kia Picanto GT-Line 5MT | $20,990 |
| 2026 Kia Picanto GT-Line 4AT | $22,590 |
List price-wise, one of the cheapest cars in market is the Picanto hatch (based on list pricing). I checked the final price for this grade, and using a 2000 postcode that was displayed on the online configurator as $25,040 drive-away.
But that still ranks as one of the cheapest car options, with an almost-equivalent MG 3 Essence hatch listing at $25,990 drive-away. You could consider the Mahindra XUV3XO and Chery Tiggo 4 compact SUVs (both $23,990 drive-away), the *******Hyundai Venue** light SUV (manual from $23,000750 plus on-roads) or the awesome little BYD Atto 1 electric hatch from $2,990 plus an on road-trip.
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What is the Kia Picanto like on the inside?
This is a step up from the base grade interior of the GT-Line, although not as sporty as some other top-spec Kia models.
Certainly, you’re the leather-stuffed steering wheel and fake leather seat trim with grey finishing. And it’s not exactly that big of a ‘wow’ moment inside this cabin, though.
A budget car, and equipment is that way too – it’s a low-budget car. There is no heating or ventilation either of which can be heated, nor any manual adjustable front seats are available for both fronts and .
Modern standards say there’s a very small touchscreen at just 8 inches, with no more than one . It is 0 inches in diameter, and while it does have Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there’s also very basic in other ways.
However, sadly, you do have buttons below for several media controls; tuning and volume dials are also tuned as well as volumedials.
I had no real issues with the system during my time but, as I said, it is very basic.
There’s also a pretty rudimentary looking digital instrument cluster in front of the driver bold, large display elements for the speedo and tachometer; small 4. 2-inch configurable display shows you your trip computer and driver assistance.
The climate system is also rather elemental – you just have manual rotary controls, and no automatic climate control.
Considering the fact that storage upfront is well considered, however, with two USB ports, an area below the ventilation controls and configurable cupholders so you can either have them as cups or not.
In addition, there is an open centre console space and a small hidey hole covered with soft padding to rest your elbow on the surface of ‘the covert concealyhole’ that covers much of its length. Only once at a time, though, is the price for real estate here.
The doors have large bottle holders, and you have a reasonably sized glovebox.
The sunvisors have vanity mirrors on both of them, although they are not illuminated, and neither do they adjust for length.
Beyond that, there’s a manual-flicky rear-vision mirror. So, yes, it is pretty basic.
For a person of my size, back-seat space isn’t good for me. My seat is set at 182cm/6’0” and my knees were hard against the seat ahead, but headroom is good thanks to the Picanto’s tall-boy body.
It has three seatbelts in the back, although it will be more comfortable for just two people; ISOFIX child seat anchors are also found in window seats and three top-tethers as well.
But when it comes to other inclusions in the back, it’s limited.
One map pocket is on the passenger-side seatback, but there are no door pockets or bottle holders and the material finishing on those doors has a hard plastic finish.
Between the seats, there are no directional air vents, and just a single USB-C port.
And there isn’t a fold-down armrest, nor are there any cupholders in the rear.
Despite its 6040-split/folding rear seat, it does have an interesting fact that when you do need to fold them down the back of your car (in fact as many as 1010 litres), you can let yourself take up some more space.
The cargo area is a good place for such’small car’ – 255L with the seats up. There are a few different shopping bag options, if you have fewer visibility at night and also carries.
You have to make sure you fit your stuff in through the gap (though it’s wider at the bottom than at top) – so you need to be sure that you can fit into this space.
You’ll like the fact that under the boot floor there is a space-saver spare wheel– big plus for if you have n little car.
| Dimensions | Kia Picanto |
| — | — |
| Length | 3595mm |
| Width | 1595mm |
| Height | 1485mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400mm |
| Cargo capacity (VDA) | 255L (five seats) 1010L (second row folded) |
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What’s under the bonnet?
Buy the GT-Line, and you still get the same engine and transmission options as the base grade.
| Specifications | Kia Picanto |
| — | — |
| Engine | 1.25L 4cyl petrol |
| Power | 62kW |
| Torque | 122Nm |
| Transmission | 5sp manual or 4sp automatic |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 918-936kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 5.4L/100km (man) 6.0L/100km (auto) |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 7.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 35L |
| Fuel requirement | 91RON ULP |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 |
There is no line in the range of powertrains, so it’s a shame that this car deserves – engine and transmission.
My week of testing across urban, errand-running and highway and freeway driving was over. The auto models are more thirsty than the manuals on paper; I saw 7 return from my test in this week (against its tests), but also with an Auto model that is still under water for his final year at work “The car’s blood pressure” or “the road”, which has been tested by me as well as being used to drive without any type of motor vehicle.” A 2L/100km – like I have seen in some mid-size petrol SUVs.
So don’t go thinking that buying this small car will be the most efficient choice from a fuel consumption standpoint.
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How does the Kia Picanto drive?
In my week I had a partner run around in this car and when I asked her what she thought, “I hope that the car is cheap because it feels like an amazing!”.
And I understand exactly where she’s coming from with that critique.
I think the biggest deterrent for this car is the underwhelming non-turbo petrol engine, and the at-times-lazy four-speed automatic transmission.
If an urban-dweller just goes to the shops and back, it could be perfectly acceptable for a “dozen” . It may be fine to offer here for even country-town customers.
And if you travel out of the city limits, it really takes quite a bit of thought as to how the engine and transmission will behave in some situations.
If you go to any gradient on the freeway, and gearbox kicks back; if you’re going down that hard thing (and I’m trying very hard) it’s going to be revving. And even in fourth gear, at 110km/h the engine is putting its butt off (about 3300rpm) at it. But either it’s not a “hushed engine” or isn’t just.
Certainly so, the powertrain is the least fun part of driving experience and it’s even worse than lack of the great 1 that makes such an excellent one. 0-litre turbo engine that was used in the GT-Line grade of the previous generation range.
But for those who – as I said – need only one car to run, uni or the shops/what in and don’t necessarily feel like they’ll be having all of the kiloWatts this engine has it.
But the five-speed manual version allows you to exploit a little more of this somewhat, ahem, meagre motor.
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Aside from that, the Picanto is a pure cracker of something to drive – with its beautiful steering response and pretty impressive ride comfort for something so small – because it’s light and has such.
This is a phrase that deals with lumps and bumps better than you think, even when it comes with these sporty low-profile tyres (and funky 16-inch wheel package)?
The rubber also has a good grip in corners and, if you find ‘a fun stretch of road that is fun to this car as you chuck it around the wheel with some bit on it, then there will be squeezing at little.
But it can be a bit of noise in the cabin (from the tyres, wind and the engine) so if you’re looking for more calm, I would say there are better options out there to get like this money.
For those who hate modern cars because of safety nannies, this car doesn’t have any of those ADAS annoyances on the plus side.
While there’s a system of lane-keeping, you can quickly turn it off by holding.
In fact, it’s a bit of pure that way in that sense and better for the experience.’ I think this is one of the best s ever to be said by his wife or husband at least as far as she can go on to say her last words.
On the whole, it is a cheap car, and in some ways it does feel cheap.
But if you are looking for a small runabout, it’s still good and recommended but not so much that I think the most exciting thing is going to be about the powertrain (especially with the auto).
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What do you get?
If you have to sacrifice some extra takeaway coffees a week for the fancier GT-Line model, what do you think is your answer? Here’s an overview of the standard gear in both Picanto grades.
2026 Kia Picanto Sport equipment highlights:
- 14-inch alloy wheels
- Space-saver spare
- Automatic halogen headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Halogen daytime running lights
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless and wired Android Auto
- 4-speaker sound system
- Air-conditioning
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way manual driver’s seat with height adjustment (NEW)
- Height-adjustable headrests
- 60:40-split/folding rear seats
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- 1 x front USB-A outlet
- 1 x front USB-C outlet
Picanto GT-Line – for just $1800 more – adds:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Reflector LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- LED front light bar
- LED rear combination light
- Gloss black grille, badging
- Chrome beltline trim
- Heated exterior mirrors
- ‘Premium’ upholstery
- Soft-touch centre armrest
- Height-adjustable front seats
- Alloy pedals
- ‘D-Cut’ steering wheel
- Gloss black interior trim
- 1 x USB-C port (behind centre console)
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Is the Kia Picanto safe?
The Kia Picanto doesn’t have an ANCAP safety rating and, if it did, it wouldn’t be the maximum score.
The existing Picanto’s rating expired at the end of 2023, and it’s now officially ‘unrated’.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot assist
- Driver attention warning
- Forward collision warning
- High Beam Assist
- Lane Follow Assist
- Lane keep assist
- Leading vehicle departure alert
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Rear occupant alert
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Safe exit warning
The Picanto has six airbags – dual front, front side and full curtain coverage.
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How much does the Kia Picanto cost to run?
The Kia ownership promise is a strong one at first sight, but while you do receive’very good’ seven-year warranty, you’re basically subsidising that by paying over the odds for maintenance.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia Picanto |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Up to 8 years (conditional) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Average annual service cost | $440.57 |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3084 |
Services are generous but for a basic car the service costs are higher than average, while services intervals are high. Compared’s sake A Chery Tiggo 4 costs $309 per visit.
If you service Kia, if you get your roadside help all year round (to up to eight years)?
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childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Kia Picanto
It’s a great phrase, and if you’re sold on the idea of launching – or even buying – i.e. brand new small petrol hatch it’ll be best in business?
It’s far from perfect, though, and sharply priced SUV rivals are starting to cut its grass.
I was buying a Picanto, it’s the GT-Line but also the manual as is the most interesting pick of the pack here.
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