Good evening, and welcome to another episode of Up All Night with The Autopian, where we like to take a philosophical look at car culture, asking the intellectual questions such as, what is a car? Where have all the small cars gone? And, how much car do you actually need? Joining me on the sofa tonight is a car I think answers all these questions and more, the Kia Picanto.
Time was, say up to about twenty-five years or so ago, most new car purchases involved some sort of compromise. You wanted a road scalpel or million-mile build quality? You paid out the ass for something German and got stiffed on the standard equipment. Exquisite engineering with a dash of style? You bought French or Italian and kept your local specialist on speed dial for the inevitable breakdowns. Buy a car for economy and you were forever reminded of the shallowness of your checking account by rows of switch blanks and gimcrack mechanicals. Japanese cars were turnkey dependable and sent you to sleep. Most domestic cars you just hoped wouldn’t fall apart until after you’d made the last payment.
Cars Get Good
Somewhere around the mid-nineties this began to change. Mainstream cars suddenly became mostly good at most things. Refinement, roadholding, reliability was no longer a case of ‘pick any two’. Manufacturers had to start looking outside of their established lanes to move more metal because their USPs were no longer enough. Premium German OEMs started offering compact hatches. Ford tried to convince us a Contour was a credible euro sports sedan alternative. Jaguar dropped 1960s sheet metal over a Mondeo and took on the three series. Fuck that last degree of steering feel, or fighter jet cockpit inspired ergonomic excellence. What was your car saying about you as a person? What particular marketing message were you buying into to express yourself? And if you bought a VW Phaeton over an A8 or an S Class, were you dropped on your head as a baby?
As OEMs contorted their brands Stretch Armstrong style in all manner of lifestyle directions, it left a gaping hole in the middle of the market for the unpretentious car as a simply transport. Enter stage left Kia, which since its rebirth and introduction to the American market in 1992, has made great hay in simply getting people where they need to go with a minimum of fuss. They got their start by building various small Fords under license, but it all went tits up in the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Facing bankruptcy, Hyundai outbid Ford for the wreckage. Kia’s own first-generation offerings offered spectacular value for money, a longer than normal warranty and not a lot else; the epitome of the drowsily designed anon-o-box.
Catch a Tiger by the Nose
Selling cars to the terminally stingy is always a limiting strategy – by their very nature they don’t buy cars that often. Recognizing this Kia wanted to jazz their range up a bit to expand their customer base; in 2006 they hired in professional funky glasses wearer and ex-Audi chief crayon wielder Peter Schreyer (also a graduate of the Royal College of Art, like me) to be their new head of design. He introduced the ‘tiger nose’ as a visual brand identifier and has since ushered in a range of reasonably handsome, consistently designed vehicles that have helped the Hyundai/Kia megacorp to become by volume one of the five largest car companies in the world.
But this review isn’t concerned with large, it’s about small, and the Kia Picanto is very small indeed at about 3.6 meters long (about 142”). In Europe it falls into what’s known as the Euro NCAP ‘sub-B’ class. The EPA equivalent would put it below the mini-compact category. For comparison, it’s about 400mm (about 16”) shorter than a Ford Fiesta (RIP). Some OEMs would have you believe that due to the razor thin margins on small cars it isn’t economically feasible to stuff them with expensive hybrid hardware to meet upcoming Euro 7 emissions legislation; there’s been a mass culling of small cars across the Euro market. The Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii (badge engineered versions of the VW Up!), the Citroen C1, Peugeot 108, the aforementioned Ford Fiesta, all these and countless others have gone to the great scrap yard in the sky. But OEMs with a broader worldwide footprint encompassing non-western markets have shown that up for the nonsense it is. Suzuki will still sell you a Swift or an Ignis, Hyundai the i10, Toyota the nattily styled Aygo X and there’s still the evergreen Fiat 500.
I Thought You Said There Were No Cheap Cars Anymore
The Picanto, starting at £13.5k (about $17k) at the bottom of the range in ‘1’ trim is nominally cheaper than all the above options, but at no point do you feel you’re being short changed. I actually wanted to drive that version, because we’re all about base model brilliance here at the Autopian, but press fleets being the way they are the nice people at Kia UK only had a rich Corinthian leather spec GT Line S to lend me, which costs £17k (about $22k). Pay attention to that ‘S’ suffix, because it’s important.
The Picanto 1 comes with steel wheels, two speakers, manual door mirrors and no touchscreen in sight. Moving up through the trim levels adds equipment and flashier trim until you get to the GT line, which gives you sporty looks without the sporty go. Until you add that ‘S’.
The standard engine across the range is 1.0 triple making a heady 66bhp for a 0-60 on the wrong side of 13 seconds. Fine for running around town doing errands but likely to get you swamped on any road where the speed limit is over thirty. The S bolts a turbo onto the motor cranking up the power to 99bhp [Editor’s Note: Is this the only case where adding a turbo just flips the HP number 180°? – JT] and the torque to 126lbs ft. In a car that weighs 1030kg (2270lbs). Suddenly Mother’s grocery getter has turned into the baby GTi you’ve all been sleeping on. You can’t buy a VW Up! GTi anymore (Euro emissions legislation again), and the Suzuki Swift Sport. although similarly sized, is a lot more expensive. If you want a budget pocket rocket, the Picanto GT Line S is where it’s at.
It’s Kia Hot Rod
The 0-60 is quoted as 9.9 seconds, but one up it feels much faster than that. Key to this is the engine – I can’t use the “it sounds like half a 911 motor” cliché because I’ve not driven a 911. But it has a characterful growl and is super eager to please, kinda like a Japanese sports bike (or a Ferrari Mondial) – it just wants to GO. Stop pissing about and get your foot in. There’s only five speeds, but all that torque in a light body means that’s all it needs; there’s still plenty left in top gear to blow past semis butting up against their 56mph limiter on a dual carriageway. Away from the lights and on slip roads this thing absolutely shifts. And it’s not one of those boosty installations where you get nothing and wait for a noticeable step in the power as the turbo comes in; it pulls right through the rev range.
Keeping it shiny side up are 16” alloys generously shod with juicy 195 tires. Useful because this is the kind of car that positively encourages you to drive it flat out all the time. The steering is go-kart fast at 2.8 turns lock to lock, plenty accurate but a bit light; more weight would be useful when you’ve got it leaned over on the doorhandles. For a small car, it’s nicely stable at high speeds. The price you pay is you do feel the wheels dropping into road imperfections and potholes a bit around town, but this is a relatively tall car with a wheel at each corner, so that’s to be expected. I’ll take a little low speed stiffness rather than being blown all over the place on the motorway.
It’s this ability to function both in town and on the open road that elevates the Picanto GT Line S above the normal small car norm. Again, how much car do you really need? This car had absolutely everything as standard equipment and more; along with the usual safety systems (forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning rear view camera) it has hill start assist, cruise control, heated seats and steering wheel and even wireless phone charging, although actual smartphone connectivity is wired only, which rather defeats the fucking point if you ask me. It was absolutely groaning with toys.
A Big Car Made Small
The more time I spent with this little car, the more I came to realize it didn’t feel like a cheap car tarted up. It felt like a large car scaled down. Try as I might, I couldn’t find where the corners had been cut to get it down to a price. It’s solidly constructed with decent materials, and the trim finishes are well done, particularly on the grill and the red highlight color on the interior. Notice the chrome door handles, and the way the DLO (Daylight Opening, or windows) are blacked out to create a cohesive graphic. You don’t expect this level of attention to detail at this price point, simply because it costs more money to do, and on a small car Bill of Materials is everything. Even the lights look expensive, the fronts containing a four-piece lit element reminiscent of the Porsche headlight graphic and the rears a floating illuminated part, rather than the usual ‘bulb in a reflector’ you get on cheaper cars. The only real design demerit is the rear lower bumper, which has trim indicating a sort of twin tail pipe arrangement, when the actual exhaust exits underneath. There’s quite a lot going visually, but it’s not garish or overdone. It doesn’t quite have the boutique appeal of the Fiat 500, or the spartan Germanic feel of an Up! but it’s chunkily good looking and exceptionally well finished.
Unburdened by not having a specious appeal to ‘lifestyle’ or some other such bullshit, the Picanto is a refreshingly straightforward, easy to understand and use modern little car. There are hard controls for all the major features; only the navigation and infotainment are operated through the touchscreen, which has a nice clean modern look without being flashy. It’s exactly the fuss free experience you want. During its time with me, as well as my normal running around I was looking for excuses to take it for a drive – it’s that much of a hoot. After it went back I emailed Kia PR to thank them and commented on what a little hot rod it was – they replied saying it was by far their favorite out of all the cars on the press fleet. In fact I liked it so much I immediately began doing some man math to figure out if I could buy one.
In black of course.
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“Big car small” is a great design target to shoot for. Something about having a smaller car that’s not immediately a penalty box is satisfying. The hilarious thing is that those cars sell, even here in the “bigger = better” US.
Don’t do this to me, don’t give me hope only to remind me that this is in the UK and America still doesn’t have any good affordable cars. It’s bullcrap that CAFE standards make it too difficult to sell small economy cars so we’re stuck with big expensive CUVs.
I had one of these as a rental in Curaçao in 2014. Was a manual, 3 cylinder, pretty much no options. I think power locks/central locking, AC, some home installed alarm, a Kenwood 4 channel aftermarket stereo/speakers was about its level of kit. No ABS, Zero AirBags, Steelies, crank windows, etc. not much of anything really. Not even sure it had power steering for that matter… I think it was someone’s personal car, had floral seat covers on it and some pieces of mail in it? Is that a thing in Curaçao (I digress)? I know in French Polynesia (Moorea) was pretty common.
And in the end I actually rather enjoyed it, ride wasn’t terrible, peppy enough for running around the island, easy to park, handling nice – light car! And it was good on gas. It was a fun drive, slow car kinda fast. Seemed reasonably well put together, my 6ft. plus self fit inside it, didn’t lose it during rain storms. Maybe it was also some vacation rose colored glasses, but I turned that little car in at the airport, and I actually wasn’t even mad I rented on the cheap… who knew?
Thank you for the review! As an American big V-8 (and soon to be I-8) RWD owner and enthusiast I’m surprisingly intrigued by this little car. Maybe it’s the can’t have it here factor but there’s something to be said for a nimble little runner that’s well built a decent looking to boot.
I honestly wasn’t expecting much and was really surprised at how good it was.
Hyundai/Kia know how to make engaging front wheel drive cars. Obviously I own an N and am partial to them, but the Kia Forte GT is a fun car that’s slept on. My neighbor has one and it’s very attractive as well, particularly when it comes to the lighting and the signature “tiger nose”. I’m jealous that you all get stuff like this over there while manufacturers try to sell us hatchbacks disguised as CUVs (I should protest too much seeing as I own a Kona N, but it’s a hot hatch, goddammit!).
I got my buddy to test drive a Forte GT with a stick when he was looking for his new car. He was instantly smitten and wouldn’t stop talking about it. He waited for a red one and it’s a damn good looking (and driving) car
Why must every sedan, hatch, pickup truck et al have 4 doors these days?
The only 2 door cars you can buy are pretty much 2 seaters, and it’s rare to see a two door pickup truck of any kind.
I’m all for smaller cars – I drive Mini/MINIs! My brother in England just got a used Up GTI, I’m jealous that you can still buy fun well made small cars in other countries.
The two hatch is rare now, because the days when they cost more are long gone. There’s still the MINI and both versions of the Fiat 500 though.
The closest I think to this available in the US would have been the Chevy Spark: Similar size, similar power, similar weight, similar performance. Worse mileage but cheaper gas so probably better $$/gallon. Also at $14.6k a much cheaper base price.
I guarantee you the Chevy Spark was not as well built as this.
Maybe not but AFAIK it’s as close as we in the US can get to this hot hatch Kia.
I drove a base model Picanto across Morocco about 10 years ago. It was a perfectly fine little car.
Managed to get a Kia-advertisement style photo out of it.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RrzkKwFQS1s5iTJr8
You sure you didn’t go to Mars? (Nice shot btw).
Why do you do this to me? Want! Want! WANT!
I know. I’m an awful tease aren’t I?
I drove a non-turbo one, loaded with two big suitcases and a backpack, from Rome to Recanati and Ancona. Flat out, enjoying every little second. When I went to the gas station to return it, it had just used 17 Euro of fuel. The cheapest ticket ever for a spectacular driving experience.
The turbo is a fucking dream.
More of this sort of thing!
Small cars, my glittering wit, or both?
My mum has been hooning about in a Picanto for the last couple of years. Whilst she wanted a manual, they had a yellow one with an auto that she could have right away. At 77 she figured she didn’t have time to wait. The base Oz spec ones have a 4cyl 1.something whilst the GT is the same triple+turbo. The former is no penalty box regardless unless you happen to be a larger than average human being. Oh and it’s definitely a city car as the wheelbase is too small for shitty country roads…
We only get the 1.0 triple in the UK, NA or turbo on this model.
Hey, you’re in Kenilworth, that’s my hometown! I’d recognise the castle (and its car park) anywhere!
It’s a damned shame these aren’t available in the U.S. Something like this with a hybrid drivetrain to boost both power output and fuel economy, priced around $20k, would probably sell well for what it is. I like that it’s a simple, no-bullshit car. Those are nearly extinct here.
It’s so economical it’s probably not worth the packaging compromise or the additional expense. But a maybe a mild (non plug in) system if it could be squeezed in would be beneficial for a couple of miles of EV only operation in city centers (escpecially if they have a clean air zone).
I was thinking non-plug in parallel hybrid system to boost power output to around 150-200 horses while adding lots of low-end torque, and maybe add 15-20% to the fuel economy. Without adding much in the way of cost. To make penalty boxes appeal in the U.S., the buyer needs to get something for what they’re giving up.
Something like this WAS available in the US; the Chevy Spark. Same size, same power, same performance. Worse mileage but cheaper purchase price and cheaper gas probably evened that out and then some. Depending on where you lived you could even get it as a thrifty EV hot hatch. Before the used market madness I saw clean EVs examples offered for $5k or so, wrecked ones were much cheaper. Maybe buy one of those once prices come down again and see what magic you can wring out of it.
(opens Craigslist in new browser window)
I considered a Spark three years ago, when I was looking for a new car. I like the look, it had all the features I wanted, and it came in great colors. I had to rule it out in the end, though, because it didn’t have enough room in the back for car seats and kids. Shame, because it looked like tons of fun.
I got a 6MT Hyundai Venue instead, and it’s done me well and fits the children, so no regrets. Would love to see this Kia make it to North America, though.
AH! I test drove the Venue when it first came out because I liked it’s boxy little figure, the reasonable price, AND that it was available with a manual. I test drove both that one and the auto, and (of course) I thought the manual was way more fun. It wasn’t fast, but pushing that stick around made it feel like you and the Venue were working together towards a common goal, which I enjoyed.
My sister ended up getting an Elantra GT instead (leftover from the prior year, so the dealer eventually gave her an unrefusable offer) but I think she’d have been better served by the Venue: she can’t park her Elantra in her own driveway due to the crown in the street and rise of the ramp in the parkway (isn’t that what that little strip of grass between the curb and sidewalk is called?). I’m sure that the Venue would have had the necessary inch or two of additional clearance (approach angle?) required to get into the driveway without dragging any bits.
Until recently, I saw almost NO Venues on the street, even here in LA, where you see everything. But within the past couple of years, I’ve seen a LOT of them, in all kinds of colors, despite the fact that this model isn’t new anymore, and it’s arguably the frumpiest looking CUV around (which is part of its attraction to me personally). I presume the low price is the reason, post-pandemic car pricing and all.
It’s a great little car… not epic… but enjoyable. Even the dash is kind of interesting, without being insane or bland. Enjoy yours!
While it’s all very nice to have fancy things, my worry is about what happens when they break. This is an inexpensive car, by it’s very nature it is marketed to people looking to spend not a lot of money on a car. So now give it 6 or 8 years and a third owner and say the circuit board fries on one of those pretty lights. How much will it be to replace the assembly? Is somebody with third-hand econo car money going to have that replacement in the budget or will it be financial suffering? I’m all for tarting up cars sold to people who have the budget for repairs, but simplicity is a thing of beauty on a cheap car. I hate when I have to call people and tell them a needlessly overcomplicated part is gonna cost a ton of money to fix knowing they bought the car specifically to not spend a ton of money.
I see this point made a lot, but really I’m afraid the ship has sailed. I’ve made this point before, but it bears repeating. When the Dacia Duster first appeared in the UK it was something like £8995, came in fridge white with unpainted bumpers and steel wheels. It was as basic a new car as it was possible to buy. They sold hardly any. Even people buying new cars at the bottom of the market don’t want to look stingy.
I have a friend with a mid 2000s Rover and she’s constantly spending a fortune on it keeping it running. It should have been scrapped long ago, but I can’t make her see the logic of getting something new on a cheap lease.
FWIW this comes with a seven year warranty.
“Even people buying new cars at the bottom of the market don’t want to look stingy.”
Nope. Those “new” cars just aren’t ripe enough yet.
Those cheap bastards DO want to buy those cars but later as gently loved, mostly depreciated, ideally “certified pre-owned” with a warranty please.
This is the way.
So, having their cake and eating it, without paying for it in other words.
Now you’re getting it!
Not just a clever username then.
Its that too.
Anyone else thinking that this would be a good first car for a kid just getting their license? (At least for anyone who would be getting a new car for their kid’s first car.)
The non-turbo ones would be a brilliant first car. I think they are four or five stars EuroNCAP.
Thank you Mr Clarke. I enjoy your curmudgeon act, you old softy, but it’s fun sometimes to see you be smitten.
Normal service will be resumed shortly.
We’re all looking forward to it.
I have a 2021 Kia Picanto GT-Line auto here in Aus. Looks exactly like this car but in red, but instead of a 1.0 triple (we also get the 1.0 turbo triple here, called the GT) but mines the 1.25l NA 4 pot and 4spd torque converter auto. Got it as needed an auto car to try get my wife to get her license quicker – she was getting grumpy with my mx-5 and wanted something as dumb as possible mechanically (*eg no CVT, dual clutch rubbish). Have done 25000kms, many big trips, can say whilst slow the chassis is quite good and its been faultless. And we get wireless Android Auto here
Most Americans still ascribe to the “bigger is better” theory, except in the leanest of times. Hybridization of “ordinary” vehicles kills the fuel economy argument of tiny cars.
The cluster photo shows 45MPG on this, which I’m assuming is Imperial gallons, so maybe 38MPG on US gallons. Which is give-or-take what you’d get in a Maverick or RAV4 hybrid. Which is why small cars are all but dead in the USA.
That Maverick or RAV4 may get 38MPG on straight, fast American roads, but it definitely won’t manage that in stop-and-go traffic with lots of turns that people in cities constantly deal with.
The advantage of smaller, lighter cars (aside from parking and manoeuvring) is that they take less of a fuel economy hit in dense urban traffic compared to larger cars because there’s simply less mass to accelerate.
Hybrids do better in the city than the highway thanks to regen. The stop and go keeps the battery charged up.
I’ll admit I missed that you wrote Maverick or RAV4 hybrid there, so you’re absolutely right about their MPG being better in the city (and it’s amazing how much better hybrid systems in larger cars have gotten while I wasn’t paying attention!)
Still, the way I think a lot of non-Americans look at it is that a £36k RAV4 hybrid is a lot of money for the same MPG as a £17k Picanto, and it’s bigger and harder to park on the street.
Does the average American even fit into this car without a shoehorn and a barrel of KY Jelly?
I’m 6’2” and about 160lbs, and I fit just fine, and can sit behind myself.
What if we changed that ‘1’ to a ‘2’?
I remember the episode of ‘Pimp My Ride’ that was a Honda Kei Van, and two of the big guys from West Coast Customs got in and they couldn’t close the doors. I was wetting myself with laughter.
Cheese is a hell of a drug.
I’m 6’2″ and, ahem, 17 and a half stone and can’t fit behind myself in my Spark. Most of that is a headroom problem. Might try the Picanto and see how that goes.
Those prices, did you deduct UK VAT before posting them or is it still in there?
The almost-Hyundai N blue that the Picanto 1 is shown in would look really good on the hot version.
Nope, still included. UK prices are always quoted as OTR. (Anything in the UK always includes the VAT. I think adding the sales tax on at the register is a uniquely American thing).
“I think adding the sales tax on at the register is a uniquely American thing”
Because sales tax can vary in different states and counties.
Better for a company to price their product at $1000+tax everywhere, rather than to include the tax but have to charge different prices in different states which would lead to anger and outrage (and bad PR)
Yeah, I’ve spent enough time in the US to understand this (I didn’t realise it varied across counties though!) but it’s still slightly infuriating.
That’s not why its done. It’s to be able to advertise the illusion of a lower price. Consumers fall for it every time.
But how long would that outrage last? 1-2 news cycles like most things? There’s always some new thing to distract Americans from any issue, real or not.
It sounds like great fun to drive, and while I wouldn’t normally go in for it, some boy-racer add-ons would make the whole package. The grey looks a little drab, and you’ve got to look the part on two wheels.
If I had one I certainly would look into some sort of exhaust. It sounds great inside the cabin but bystanders need to enjoy it as well. Possibly a set of rims as well.
God what’s happening to me?
See, this is how you do a cheap, fun, hatch. It’s clear that this isn’t just mailed in but rather a well thought out product. The power and weight specs don’t seem to be far off the EG Civic. Speaking of said EG Civic, it’s too bad this isn’t coming to America, because I don’t know how much longer my son’s example has left in it and this would make a great replacement.
Volume helps. They sell about 160k of these all over the world in various guises and with varying levels of equipment according to market, which is why the Fiat 500 is still around at what now, fifteen years old? It sells about 100k a year and is long since paid off. Again, another well considered, well marketed small car that doesn’t/ make you feel like you cheaped out.
Brit here – my MIL has a (basic) Picanto of this generation and I’m impressed at the quality for such a low price. Not luxury, but quality. This thing is well built from quality materials and everything you touch feels solid. And it’s a really nice little car to drive. A very underrated car.
Absolutely this. It’s not luxurious, but what there is. Is high quality and extremely well screwed together. And a seven years warranty, I mean come on. That’s still a huge selling point and shows willingness to stand behind the product.
They really are well-built. I see a lot of previous gen examples on the streets here in El Salvador in impeccable shape, and have ridden in a few Uber ones. They are solid, durable, reliable as hell. Too bad my partner wants an SUV, the Picanto really is an excellent all-round car for most uses.
This article led me to many thoughts.
1) The instant Up All Night reference that comes to mind is from the cable channel USA, being USA Up All Night, and was rather the opposite of “philosophical”.
2) Thank you for Gimcrack. Fantastic word I was not familiar with.
3) That was an entertaining, yet complimentary and straightforward review. Thanks for the read!
Ha! I haven’t heard of that show. I was casting around for something that sounded intellectual and would be on PBS or something.
Thank you for your kind words.
How about Frippery? Frippery made of Gimcrack is absolute garbage (i.e. many Chinese cars)
>I Thought You Said There Were No Cheap Cars Anymore
There are no cheap cars anymore IN AMERICA.
Yeah but you guys have cheap gas and cheap housing.
Oh wait….
Was that supposed to be a burn? I don’t understand why you brought up gas or housing. My comment wasn’t intended to be hostile.
It would be nice if these were brought to America, along with the Ram Rampage, but automakers here are more concerned with forcing Americans into 84-month loans on $60k cars.
No not a burn as such, just those are the two things that were always cheaper in America compared to the rest of the world (because groceries and everything else is MUCH more expensive in the US), but it looks like you’re now suffering the same house price explosion as other first world countries.
Depends on where you go, I paid $185k for the house I’m in now back in February. I considered that reasonable for what I got, even though ca 8 years ago it might have been a $140k house
There are some affordable cars in America, maybe not cheap, but affordable. The Rio GT-Line is $24,990 and there’s always the Mirage Ralliart at $19,500