Kia Picanto 2024 review
Photo: Alexander Migl, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The 2024 Kia Picanto is the facelifted JA-generation city car, Britain's perennially popular small runabout given a dramatic makeover inspired by Kia's flagship EV9. New Y-shaped headlights, a redesigned grille and updated bumpers make it look far fresher than its age suggests. UK prices started from £15,595 for the entry 2, rising through GT-Line and 3 to £18,445 for the range-topping GT-Line S — up on the old car, but still one of the cheapest new cars on sale in Britain.
Engine choice is refreshingly simple: two non-turbo petrols, the 1.0 DPi three-cylinder with 63hp and the 1.2 MPi four-cylinder with 78hp. The turbocharged 1.0 T-GDi of the pre-facelift car did not survive the facelift. A five-speed manual is standard, with a five-speed automated manual (AMT) auto costing an extra £700. The 1.2 with the manual gearbox is the sweet spot: 13.1 seconds to 62mph and 51.4mpg on the WLTP cycle, with CO2 from 116g/km for the 1.0. Top speeds of 90–98mph keep it usable on motorways, even if overtaking needs planning.
Standard equipment is generous for the class. Every Picanto gets an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera with rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping and lane-follow assist, cruise control and air conditioning — kit rivals often charge extra for. The 255-litre boot (1,010 litres with the seats folded) is smaller than some rivals', but rear legroom is decent for a car just 3.6 metres long, and Kia's 7-year/100,000-mile warranty is still the best standard cover in the class.
The Picanto is not the cheapest city car anymore, and the 1.0 engine feels weedy beyond urban speeds while the ride is firm on 16-inch wheels. But as a low-cost, easy-to-park, cheap-to-insure runabout with a big warranty and surprisingly mature equipment, it remains the default recommendation in its class — and it is expected to depreciate more slowly than most city cars on the used market.
Related reviews: Kia Ceed 2024 review · Kia Ev3 2025 review · Kia Ev4 2025 review
UK price from: £15,595
Specifications
| Engine | 1.2 MPi 4-cylinder petrol (also 1.0 DPi 3-cylinder) |
| Power | 78 hp (58 kW) |
| Torque | 113 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 13.1 seconds (1.2 manual) |
| Top speed | 98 mph |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (5-speed AMT auto optional) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy | 51.4 mpg combined (WLTP, 1.2 manual) |
| CO2 emissions | 124 g/km (WLTP, 1.2 manual) |
| Boot space | 255 litres seats up; 1,010 litres seats down |
| Dimensions | 3,605 x 1,595 x 1,485 mm (L/W/H); wheelbase 2,400 mm |
| Insurance group | 4 - 8 (by trim) |
| Warranty | 7 years / 100,000 miles |
Features
- 1.0 DPi (63hp) and 1.2 MPi (78hp) petrol engines; no diesel or hybrid
- 5-speed manual standard; 5-speed automated manual (AMT) auto for an extra £700
- 54.3mpg WLTP combined (1.0 DPi) with CO2 from 116g/km
- 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard
- Reversing camera, rear parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking fitted to all grades
- Lane-keeping assist, lane-follow assist, cruise control and air conditioning standard
- 255-litre boot (1,010 litres seats folded) in a 3.6-metre footprint
- Kia's 7-year/100,000-mile warranty — the best standard cover in the class
- Insurance groups 4–8 keep premiums low for young drivers
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £29.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Oil filter | £8.99 | |
| Cabin pollen filter | £12.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £17.99 | 24in/16in flat blades |
| 12V battery | £74.99 | |
| Engine air filter | £11.99 |
Pros
- Dramatic EV9-inspired styling makes it look far newer than it is
- Generous standard kit — rivals charge extra for much of it
- Best-in-class 7-year/100,000-mile warranty
- Very cheap to run and insure (groups 4–8)
- Easy to park and genuinely fun around town
Cons
- The 1.0-litre engine feels weedy on motorways and needs revving hard
- Firm ride, especially on the 16-inch wheels of upper trims
- 255-litre boot is cramped versus rivals like the i10
- Noticeably pricier than the pre-facelift car — the £15.6k starting price stings
