Kia Picanto review (2020-2023)

Tech and features

While the Volkswagen Up leads the class on interior quality, the Kia Picanto isn’t that far behind, with a well-laid-out dashboard punctuated with chrome-effect trim on ‘2’ trim and above.

Plus there's an entertainment system that’s mounted nice and high, so you can see what’s going on as you’re driving.

On older cars and lower trims, it’s a small monochrome affair linked to an audio system with two or four speakers.

On the ‘3’ and above you get a larger colour touchscreen with sat-nav and six speakers. You also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the more advanced system.

There’s air-conditioning and Bluetooth on ‘2’ trim, while ‘3’ adds climate control, cruise control and even a reversing camera with the view displayed on the touchscreen.

GT-Line adds some colourful highlights to the fake leather seats, while GT-Line S heats the front seats and steering wheel – toasty.

Driving position

It’s easy to get comfortable behind the steering wheel, and while the wheel itself only adjusts for height and the front seats only slide forwards and back, we can’t imagine anyone complaining about the set-up.

The Kia Picanto is surprisingly spacious for such a small car, with plenty of room up front, and only the tallest adults will complain about rear legroom – some versions are able to carry three back there.

Shoulder room is tight, so make sure the trip is a short one.

Engines and power

You get a choice of petrol engines with the KIA Picanto – a couple of 1.0-litre units and a 1.25-litre motor.

The more powerful turbo 1.0 is available only with GT-Line trim and it’s a peppy little thing – said to be capable of getting you from rest to 62mph in less than 10 seconds (handy if you find yourself joining a motorway). 

The non-turbo 1.0 is willing enough for town life, while the 1.25 is a happy medium. 

Handling and ride comfort

The Picanto might look like it belongs on city streets, but it’s remarkably good fun on twisty roads, which is all the excuse you need to head out into the country at the weekend.  

Its decent body control has a slight downside: a firm-ish ride and more bumps make themselves felt than they would in the Volkswagen Up for example. 

It’s still a comfortable car, especially when it’s fitted with the smaller wheels you get with the lower trims. 

Storage solutions

The Kia Picanto is surprisingly practical when you’re in the front seats, with a pair of cup holders and a storage tray for your phone in front of the gear lever, large door bins and a decent glovebox.

You get another cup holder in the rear seats and pockets in the back of the front seats.  

Boot space

Even better, the Picanto has one of the most spacious boots in the class – who knew? 

With the rear seats raised, there’s room for a few supermarket bags, and with them folded you could even use the baby Kia for a tip run – just bear in mind that there’s a bit of a step in the boot floor when the seat backs are folded. 

Fuel economy

The Picanto’s non-turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine is said to be its most economical, with an average figure of 55.4mpg.

The other petrol engines aren’t far behind, with the turbo and the 1.25 rated at 50.4mpg.

Those figures are for cars with manual gearboxes – opt for the automatic and economy drops to 43.5mpg.