Kia Picanto: Is It Still the Best City Car?

Kia, the South Korean automotive manufacturer, has taken the car market by storm, with several of its cars being world-best sellers, including the Niro, Sportage, Sorento, and EV6 SUV. One of their best-known cars is the Picanto, the smallest car in the Kia range and one of the last known city cars on the market. It is simple, cheap to run, and even easier to drive.  So, let’s take a look at why it still remains the best city car on the market.

Is the Kia Picanto Still the Go-To Choice for City Living?

Despite its popularity now, when the Picanto started its life twenty-two years ago, it was a plain, cheap, small city car, but when Kia redesigned their full brand in 2011, it got a well-needed upgrade from the famous automobile designer Peter Schreyer.  Schreyer introduced the brand to their now infamous “tiger nose” grille. The 2025 version is the third-generation Kia Picanto, which was first unveiled in 2017, and in 2024, it got another exterior upgrade and several interior redesigns. However, unlike in previous years, there is no X-Line for the 2025 model. 

It is a zippy, good-looking, small car with cute features such as moody light bars. While for some people this car may fall short on being a long-distance cruiser, with high-quality features and dynamics, there is still a lot the Picanto can offer its customers.

Image source: 22877-ThenewKiaPicanto.jpg

There are two engine sizes to choose from: a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that has a GT-Line also and can produce 62 horsepower and 69 foot-pounds of torque. It can reach 60mph in 15.4 seconds, which is not bad for a city car. Also, a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine comes in the GT-Line S and can produce 77 horsepower and 83 foot-pounds of torque. This can reach 60 mph in 2.3 seconds quicker. The Picanto is also rated 50mpg, which is a good number for the driver who wants to keep costs low.  

Tech, Comfort, and Convenience Inside

There is a plethora of interior features to please any driver, including electric windows, rear parking camera, aircon, smartphone connectivity, parking sensors, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment centre. If you picked the GT-Line S model, you will receive extra features such as heated seats, auto aircon, sporty 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, and wireless phone charging.  

When it was first launched, the Picanto was one of the cheapest small cars on the market, but since then its price has gone up. It has a starting price of £16,065 sterling. But customers can pay a starting price of £19,615 sterling for the GT-Line S model. 

What the Kia Picanto Really Brings to the Road

While there are not many city cars left on the market as automotive companies believe there is little profit in them, the Kia Picanto still has some market rivals. These rivals include the Hyundai i10, Dacia Sandro, Dacia Spring, the Fiat 500, and the Toyota Aygo X. While many of these cars are cheaper than the Picanto, most of them have less power, less speed, or less driving range, making them inferior vehicles overall. 

This Kia is an impressive all-rounder. Whether you need it for a first car or a quick run around, it is fun, cheap, and fun to drive. It has many modern features and can stand on its own within the worldwide car market. Overall, why wouldn’t you buy the Kia Picanto as your very own city car?