Kia Picanto review: An automatic choice

Its handy transmission and sweet suspension make the Picanto a no-frills, no-fuss runabout.

2017 Kia Picanto.

GREAT value, safe, economical and loaded with standard equipment, Kia’s Picanto is also proof that a tiddler can do the job when you’re looking for a car that does its transport tasks without any excessive frills.

The Picanto made a very positive impression when I drove it during the Australian press preview, particularly as my focus was on the $13,990 drive-away price for the basic five-speed manual.

2017 Kia Picanto.

I’ve had the four-speed auto at home, covered The Tick course and it’s even more appealing, though the price blows out to $15,690 on the road.

Let’s set one thing straight from the outset — the auto is the better choice in the Picanto. It keeps the engine working better for more of the time and allows the car to flow easily with the traffic or hold 110km/h on the highway without me having to row frantically through the manual gearbox.

The new Picanto is actually the old Picanto, but with a visual update and a new focus.

The 2017 version gets the gear to suit first-car buyers as well as retirement-age drivers who want a no-fuss runabout for a couple of people who are past their outback touring days.

As with almost everything sold in Australia today, aircon and power steering are standard.

2017 Kia Picanto.

The Picanto adds a rear-view camera — which Mazda leaves out of its base models — plus cruise control and seven-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Kia calls it the third-generation Picanto and touts a new body that, though it looks much like the old one, frees up more space and comfort in the front seats.

One of the best things is suspension that’s tuned for Australia, just like every Kia model, and allows the car to ride smoothly with pleasingly low levels of noise and harshness.

In the tiddler class, officially called “light cars”, sales are dropping dramatically.

Against the trend, the Picanto is a winner. It doesn’t have much opposition but 200-300 people a month are happy to take one home.

Mechanically, the Picanto is nothing special with a 1.25-litre four-cylinder engine (62kW/ 122Nm) carried over from the previous model driving the front wheels.

It misses out on the three-cylinder turbo that’s a medium-term goal for Kia management in Australia.

For now, there is no auto safety braking in the car though it carries the seven-year Kia warranty, which still leads all brands in Australia.

ON THE ROAD

After only 45 minutes on the freeway, I realise I am really liking the Picanto.

I expect a booming baby box but the car is quiet and comfortable. Actually, it’s very quiet and feels at least two classes bigger.

For the size and price, the audio is fine and my phone is working fine through the CarPlay connection

The maker has done a top job on refining the Picanto and Kia suspension guru Graeme Gambold has worked more magic under the body.

The Picanto will never make an impact on a racetrack but the ride is surprisingly compliant, the grip is good and it’s well balanced in all kinds of cornering.

Performance is solid without doing anything special, although I get very close to the claimed fuel economy of 5.8L/100km in the auto (the manual claims 5.0L).

Kia doesn’t give a 0-100km/h sprint time for the car but it’s fine taking off from the lights and it can be pushed past trucks and caravans on country roads without any heart-stopping moments.

2017 Kia Picanto.

I’ve been a massive critic of Nexen tyres from China in the past but the examples on the Picanto are surprisingly good and help make the car a great drive. They are quieter and grippier than the Kuhmo tyres that are an alternative fitment.

The seats are comfortable in the front and I have no trouble with head or legroom. The Picanto will take only two adults in the back.

The boot, though larger than in the previous model, is still marginal for anything more than a shopping run.

As I get more familiar with the Picanto, I enjoy the auto headlights, satnav that’s a surprising inclusion at this price, rear parking radar and the reversing camera with predictive lines to point the way the car is going.

I think the steel wheels on the test car look cheap and Kia can’t seriously claim that the car has a flat cargo floor — it’s anything but with the rear seat folded for maximum boot space.

Some people will also question the safety of the car. I would not like to take a hit from a Toyota LandCruiser, but ANCAP lists the Picanto at five stars with six airbags.

THE TICK

My sister Jane has been running a Toyota Yaris for far too long as a city runabout in Sydney.

She’s been asking me for ages about the right replacement.

Now I know the Picanto is right for her and that means it definitely deserves The Tick.

AT A GLANCE

KIA PICANTO

PRICE From $15,690 drive-away

WARRANTY 7 years/ unlimited km

CAPPED SERVICING $2551 for 7 years

SERVICE INTERVALS 12 months/15,000km

SAFETY â˜…★★★★

ENGINE 1.25-litre 4-cyl, 62kW/122Nm

TRANSMISSION 4-speed auto; FWD

THIRST 5.8L/100km

DIMENSIONS 3595mm (L), 1595mm (W), 1485mm (H), 2400mm (WB)

WEIGHT 995kg

SPARE Temporary

TOWING No