Kia Picanto: A Budget-Friendly Hatchback for Urban Driving

Introduction

If you’re on a budget of under AED 50,000 and are looking for a well-built, decently equipped, and cheerful little hatchback, the Kia Picanto is right up your alley. First introduced in the mid-2000s and based on a modified platform of the erstwhile Hyundai Getz hatchback, the first-generation Kia Picanto was mostly sold in select Asian and European markets. However, sales surged when the Korean marque unveiled the second-gen Picanto in 2011, built upon the Hyundai i10’s platform. Finally, in 2016, after several facelifts, the brand revealed the all-new third iteration of its most successful A-segment car to date.

Design and Features

The third-gen Kia Picanto quickly gained popularity in many emerging markets, including the Middle East. The new Picanto boasts a more mature yet eye-catching exterior design, along with numerous improvements in overall refinement and quality. Notable styling upgrades include:

• Funky headlamps
• Kia’s signature 'tiger-nose' grille
• More aggressive front bumper
• Better sculpted rear bumper
• Short front and rear overhangs
• Trendy 15-inch alloy wheels
• Flared wheel arches
• C-shaped LED tail lamps

Dimensions and Interior Space

Measuring 3.595 meters in length, 1.595 meters in width, and 1.495 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.400 meters and a boot capacity of 255 liters, the Kia Picanto is clearly a small vehicle. Inside the cabin, its restrictive proportions reflect in the overall interior space. However, it comfortably seats four adults, though it may be a tight squeeze for three in the back. The interior design of the new Kia Picanto is modern and fairly well-crafted, with decent quality materials, albeit with some cheaper bits as well.

Performance and Engine Specifications

Behind the stubby nose of the new Kia Picanto lies a 1.2-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which employs dual overhead cams and a multi-point fuel injection system for maximum efficiency. This engine produces:

• Power: 84hp at 6,000 rpm
• Torque: 122Nm at 4,000 rpm

In the UAE, all variants of the front-wheel drive Kia Picanto utilize a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox as standard. Weighing just under a ton, the Picanto offers excellent fuel economy and brisk performance, achieving approximately 6.0 L/100 km on a combined cycle. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes around 14 seconds, with a top speed of about 160 km/h.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2019 Kia Picanto is available in two trim levels in the UAE:

1. Base Car: Starts at AED 43,000
2. Top Version: Costs AED 49,900

The fully-loaded Picanto includes features such as:

• Projector halogen headlamps with LED DRLs
• Two-tone alloy wheels
• Front and rear fog lamps
• Keyless entry
• Leather seat upholstery
• Power-operated door mirrors
• Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel
• Automatic climate control
• 7-inch touchscreen multimedia head unit with Bluetooth, MP3, AUX, and USB connectivity

Safety features include:

• Dual front airbags
• Anti-lock braking system
• Electronic brake-force distribution
• Brake assist
• ISOFIX child-seat anchor points
• Tire pressure monitoring system