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Kia Picanto 2021 review

Hatchback Petrol

Kia Picanto 2021 — front three-quarter view

Overview

The facelifted third-generation Kia Picanto reached UK showrooms in late 2020 as a 2021 model, and it remains one of the sharpest city cars you can buy used. The headline change was under the bonnet: the old 1.25-litre engine was dropped, leaving a 66bhp 1.0-litre and the car featured here, the 99bhp 1.0 T-GDi turbo, which was offered only in GT-Line and GT-Line S trim. Launched at £15,795 in GT-Line S form (some launch reports round that to £16,000), it brought a punchier engine, a smarter face with a reworked tiger-nose grille, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen to the smallest car Kia sells.

The T-GDi is a 998cc three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 99bhp and 172Nm, driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox — there was no automatic option on the turbo car. It covers 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds and tops out at 112mph, with official WLTP figures of 53.3mpg and 120g/km of CO2. That is genuinely quick for the class, and the little triple has real character, pulling strongly from low revs in town and holding its own on the motorway in a way the 66bhp car simply cannot.

GT-Line S trim is where the Picanto stops feeling like a budget buy: 16-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, heated front seats and steering wheel, a reversing camera, wireless phone charging and Kia's 8.0-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. One quirk to know before you buy: GT-Line S cars are four-seaters, with two individual rear seats rather than a three-person bench, so check that suits your family. The 255-litre boot grows to 1,010 litres with the seats folded.

The Picanto's trump card is Kia's seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which transfers to subsequent owners — a 2021 car may still have cover left, provided it has a full Kia service history. Before buying, check that the May 2022 DVSA recall (R/2022/122, rear fog-lamp audible warning software update, covering cars built April 2020 to February 2022) has been carried out, test every lamp and the touchscreen on the test drive, and listen for clutch slip on heavily city-used manuals. The original Euro NCAP rating was three stars as standard (four with the optional safety pack) from the 2017 test, and that rating has since expired under current protocols, so judge the car on its equipment rather than the star count.

UK price from: £15,795

Specifications

Engine	1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol (998cc)
Power	99 PS (99 bhp)
Torque	172 Nm
0-62 mph	9.9 seconds
Top speed	112 mph
Transmission	5-speed manual
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Fuel economy	53.3 mpg combined (WLTP)
CO2 emissions	120 g/km (WLTP)
Boot space	255 litres (1,010 litres seats folded)
Kerb weight	Around 1,020 kg (GT-Line S)
Insurance group	11A
Euro NCAP	3 stars (2017 test); 4 stars with safety pack; rating expired Jan 2024
Warranty	7 years / 100,000 miles when new

Features

1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol (99bhp, 172Nm)
Five-speed manual gearbox (no automatic on the T-GDi)
Front-wheel drive, Euro 6d
8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
16-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights (GT-Line S)
Heated front seats and heated steering wheel (GT-Line S)
Reversing camera and wireless phone charging (GT-Line S)
Seven-year/100,000-mile transferable warranty

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads (set)	£39.99	Pattern part; typical UK retail
Front brake discs (pair)	£79.99	Pattern part; typical UK retail
Oil filter	£9.99
Engine air filter	£17.99
Cabin pollen filter	£15.99
Front wiper blades (pair)	£21.99

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

The 99bhp turbo is genuinely nippy — 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds
Seven-year warranty that transfers to the next owner
GT-Line S feels far plusher than its price suggests
Cheap to run: 53.3mpg official, tiny fuel tank fills

Cons

GT-Line S is a four-seater, not a five-seater
Original Euro NCAP rating was only three stars as standard
Rear space is tight for taller adults
The 66bhp non-turbo is slow — the T-GDi is the one to buy

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Picanto GT-Line S a four-seater or five-seater?

A four-seater. GT-Line S cars have two individual rear seats rather than a three-person bench, so four people travel in comfort but a fifth passenger has nowhere to sit. If you regularly carry five, look at the X-Line or a lower trim instead.

Which 2021 Picanto engine should I buy?

The 1.0 T-GDi turbo (99bhp) if you can find one: it is far livelier than the 66bhp 1.0, does 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds and still manages 53.3mpg officially. The catch is that it was only sold in GT-Line and GT-Line S trim, and only with a manual gearbox.

Is there a recall on the 2021 Kia Picanto?

Yes — DVSA recall R/2022/122 (May 2022) covers cars built April 2020 to February 2022, where the audible warning may not sound if the rear fog lamp is left on with the ignition off and the driver's door open. The fix is a dashboard software update, so check any 2021 car has had it done.

Does the Kia 7-year warranty transfer to a used buyer?

Yes, Kia's seven-year/100,000-mile warranty transfers to subsequent owners, so a 2021 car may still have cover left — but only with a full Kia service history (annual or every 10,000 miles). Verify the history before relying on remaining cover.

What is the real-world economy of the Picanto T-GDi?

Expect high-40s mpg in mixed UK driving against the official 53.3mpg WLTP figure, with low-50s achievable on gentle runs. The 35-litre tank still gives a useful 350-plus miles between fills.