Kia Picanto - Top Features Explained

This is the all-new Picanto from Kia. While the general styling may look familiar, the Korean manufacturer has adopted an updated design language for the small-sized city car. The hatchback car has a more stylish and premium feel compared to its outgoing model. The new Picanto also gets a modern interior with high-quality materials.

It’s available in four variants - 1.0 LX MT, 1.0 LX AT, 1.2 EX MT, and 1.2 EX AT. All four conform to the Euro 4 emission standard. The EX trims are hauled by a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine. The bigger unit produces 84 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The entry-level LX version is powered by a 1.0-litre motor and is mated to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gear system. The 3-cylinder engine offers 67 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 95 Nm peak torque at 3,570 rpm. 

Kia Picanto price list in Philippines- 

Variant	Price
1.0 LX MT	Php 590,000
1.0 LX AT	Php 635,000
1.2 EX MT	Php 700,000
1.2 EX AT	Php 745,000
1.2 AT GT Line	Php 798,000

 

Let’s take a look at some of the major features of the Kia Picanto that will appeal to buyers -

1. Driving position

The driver’s seat in the new Picanto is supportive and comfortable. There’s enough side support that prevents the driver from sliding around while negotiating corners. The pedals are well-positioned and the driver’s seat gets a height adjuster, except in the entry-level version, which helps in getting a comfortable driving posture. The two higher versions also get a front-centre armrest.

2. Satellite navigation and infotainment

The range-topping trim has an updated 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with inbuilt satellite navigation. The touchscreen is pretty easy to operate because its menu is intuitive and the screen quickly responds to the inputs. The response of the touchscreen unit, in fact, is one of the best in the premium hatchback segment of Philippines.

3. Comfortable seating

The latest version of the Kia Picanto, compared to the outgoing model, has an increased distance between the rear and front wheels which has had an impact on the interior space. The driver and co-driver now get to enjoy more legroom which is helped by the lower edge of the dashboard being raised by 15 mm. Rear seat passengers on the Picanto can recline with surprising comfort, courtesy the relatively high angle of the seatback. The increased wheelbase has had a positive effect on passenger legroom.

4. Seat folding and flexibility

Most compact, urban cars usually don’t have any clever seating arrangement up their sleeves. The Kia Picanto, however, manages to do well here. The rear 60:40 seats, when split, stay relatively flat to accommodate more luggage.

5. Boot space

The Kia Picanto specs sheet tells that it has a pretty decent boot space for a pint-sized city car. It can carry 270 litres of cargo with the rear passenger seat in place, which increases to 870 litres when the seats are folded down. In fact, the Picanto’s standard boot space is more than that of its immediate rival Hyundai i10 which clocks 252 litres. Three carry-on suitcases can be easily accommodated in the Picanto's boot with still some space to spare. The car comes with a rather wide, ergonomic boot opening, which enables loading of bulky items easier.

5. Fuel efficiency

The Picanto, on the highway, returns an average mileage of 25.6 kmpl at a speed of 90 kmph. During the morning bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Epifanio de Los Santos Avenue, the hatchback clocked 7.2 kmpl. The car returns 14.5 kmpl average fuel economy at a mean speed of 60 kmph. The Picanto emits close to 99 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide. The car, with those numbers, is one of the best cars in its class regarding fuel efficiency.

6. ESC and ISOFIX

The Kia Picanto is probably the safest car to drive on its segment. Back in 2011, it got four out of five stars from the European New Car Assessment Programme (NACP). It was marked down for not having the electronic stability control (ESC) which has now been added across the range. That aside, the Picanto has ISOFIX child-seat mounts, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and hill-start assistance.

8. Restyled exterior

The Picanto’s exterior has been upgraded. The tiger-nose grille now extends up to the headlights, making the car look sportier like its cousins Forte and Rio. The headlights are sharper and aggressive compared to the rounded shape in the previous generation. The side skirts and bumpers forge an impression that the Picanto is a fast car. It runs on 15-inch alloy wheels and the rims look like a Celtic cross. The C-shaped tail lights have also been redesigned to complement the exterior refresh.

With its generous proportions, the Kia Picanto is easily among the more accommodating vehicles, manufactured for the urban traffic and busy family life. The premium hatchback segment is fiercely competitive and Kia Philippines has done well with its attractive pricing. The new-generation version is far more individualistic in looks than the earlier model. It borrows the design cues from its stablemates the Stonic and Sportage. The Picanto is bound to appeal to a larger audience because of the raised suspensions, brightly coloured interiors and chunkier bumpers.

Overall, it’s a neat package at an attractive price.

Also Read: Kia Picanto - Top alternatives