Kia Picanto 1.1 Review

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. This phrase does not apply to Kia's new facelifted Picanto however.

I was expecting little more than a rough, crammed, point A-to-B tin can on 4 wheels when I collected the vehicle. My fears were unfounded. The new Picanto looks prettier and more elegant than its predecessor.

The first thing that hits you is the styling, which has 'continental' written all over it. A stylish radiator grille with black mesh background hints of Kia's intention to create a sporty and classy supermini with a touch of sophistication. Curvy front wings, front bumpers and door mirrors appeal to the youthful driver as does it's rounded, adoring headlamps. Not everything new is just a visual appetizer. The standard fog lamps are useful for those wet, rainy days and the bright rear combination lamps alert errant tailgaters of the driver's intention to slow down.
The Picanto's interior overdelivers. Normally one would expect budget cars to be flimsy and shoddy.

Not this one. The center console is clean & crisp, and anyone who sits in the driver's seat immediately knows where the switches for air conditioning, hazard lights and de-mister are located. The Air conditioning system is excellent and a perfect remedy for a hot, frustrating day spent baking in the tropical heat of Singapore.The cushy leather seats were invitingly comfortable, as was the adjustable steering wheel, which felt firm and steady to hold. The power windows were a great addition, although disappointingly, it did not have a one-touch automatic system. A spacious interior betrays its exterior appearance. Huge drivers will feel crammed though, and those with huge rear passengers can expect to feel like pigeons in a bird cage. The rear seats fold down easily to reveal ample space for one's luggages or a couple of shopping spree items (ladies listen up!)


The easy to read instrument cluster makes it extremely convenient for a novice driver to focus on the road, yet take sneak peeks to check up on speed limit and fuel consumption. Compact cubby holes allow a driver to store his mobile phone and even a can of coke for a quick sip. The Picanto this reporter drove was mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, the gear knob was slightly stiff and it took quite a while to get used to switching gears.

The 1.1 liter, 65bhp engine is lively and peppy, as previous Picanto drivers will testify. The pickup is surprisingly nippy, and excellent for a small car like this. Don't expect boy-racer material though. The rear view mirror was a tad bit small and I found it a bit hard to monitor the traffic behind. Manually adjustable side view mirrors scrubbed off some of the shine and glam from the Picanto.

Driving along the ECP, the peppy engine and nubile chassis assisted me in darting in and out of traffic. A word of caution, however. Due to its light body the vehicle feels like it 'floats' at high speeds. Excellent brakes and a well tuned suspension makes up for that, though.

All in all, the Picanto would make an excellent choice for a first choice car and budget transport. It does what it has to do: provide a comfortable, decent ride from point A-B and it wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb at a five star hotel carpark either. Just don't expect a performance supermini.