Kia Picanto (2011-2017)

By Jonathan Crouch

Models Covered

3/5DR CITYCAR (1.0 / 1.1 PETROL [1, AIR, 2, SR7, 3, 4, CITY, VR7, HALO, QUANTUM, SPORT])

Introduction

In second generation form, Kia's Picanto proved to be a little citycar that was big in importance for its Korean maker. Stylish, frugal and practical, it was much better than the cheap and cheerful original version and played its part in redefining the way many people think about this smallest category of car. Let’s check this MK2 model Picanto out as a potential used buy.

The History

Here’s how we used to understand small car categorisation and the difference between Fiesta-sized superminis and their smaller, cheaper citycar counterparts. You paid extra for a supermini because it was slightly bigger, because it was better finished and more stylish and because it had more refined engines that made possible longer journeys. So where does that kind of thinking leave us with a product like this, the second generation Kia Picanto? It competes with the kinds of models we’d see as citycars, yet like many of them these days, it boasts the kind of interior space a supposedly bigger Fiesta or a Corsa had until quite recently. It’s very nicely built and acceptably stylish. And yes, it’s quite at home attempting longer journeys. Here is the citycar, all grown-up.

Other urban runabouts that have previously advanced this argument have either been expensive and/or three-door only, like say a Fiat 500, or have felt too cheap and noisy to really justify themselves as only-car transport, like a Suzuki Alto or a Hyundai i10. We mention the Hyundai because that essentially is what this Picanto is underneath. In creating this MK2 model Picanto, Kia used the underpinnings from the best-selling i10 design, then refined them, improved the build quality and added a sharp new suit of clothes on top. That proved to be a pretty effective route to creating a class-leading contender and this MK2 Picanto sold in useful numbers for the brand until it was replaced by a new third generation design in the Spring of 2017.

What To Look For

Very little goes wrong with typical second generation Picanto models; in fact, our ownerships survey almost completely failed to find anyone at all who was dis-satisfied. The closest we came to that was with an owner who complained of sticking rear brake callipers.

Otherwise, just look out for the usual things; kerbed alloys and damage caused to interior plastics by unruly children. Make sure that the service book is fully stamped up by a franchised dealer too.

On The Road

One characteristic that Kia was keen to carry over to this car from the previous MK1 model Picanto was that car's perky feel. Although the original model was never quick (you could hardly beat 15s from rest to sixty even in the fastest version), it handled reasonably crisply and the steering was geared such that it felt almost criminally good fun to punt around city streets, even if your speed never exceeded 30mph. Okay, so the 1.0 and 1.1-litre engines were almost impossible to tell apart but it was a car that put a smile on your face. This second generation version offers a bit more variation between its pair of powerplants, with entry level buyers seeing 69bhp from their 1.0-litre engine, whilst those opting for the 1.25-litre Kappa unit have 85bhp at their disposal.

The difference between the two is actually bigger than the outputs might suggest, and not only because the faster version’s 11.0s showing from rest to sixty is a couple of seconds quicker than its stablemate. For a start, the lower-powered 69bhp variant has just three cylinders, so is inevitably noisier when you push it hard, as you have to in order to make rapid progress. Those likely to need their Picanto to undertake longer journeys on any kind of regular basis will be better off shaking the piggybank a little further and opting for the four cylinder 1.25-litre model. It’s 121Nm of torque means that urban trips need fewer gearchanges, while out of town, it’s a surprisingly comfortable car in which to cover off motorway mileage. Even at the legal limit and just above, thanks mainly to a triple-layer dashboard bulkhead sound-deadening panel, it’s possible to hold a conversation comfortably, by no means a given in a car of this kind.

And when things get twistier? Well, the good news for those looking for a grin behind the wheel is that much of the original Picanto model's suspension architecture was carried over to this MK2 design, albeit evolved subtly. The front suspension was tuned for better straight line stability, and Kia reckons it not only improved the ride with softer springs but made the handling a little keener with a much stiffer rear axle that helps quell understeer. Braking from the all disc system is far better than that of the previous car, the stopping distance from 62mph being just 41m. Not quite such good news is that the MDPS motor-driven electric power steering system is a little vague for really enthusiastic use, but its very lightness will be welcome when wheel-twirling in urban settings where as you’d expect, this car is simple to park.

Overall

The days when all a citycar had to be was small, frugal and cheap are long gone. Those things are now a given in this sector. For success in this segment today, such an urban runabout must be stylish, practical and realistic for longer journeys as well as shorter ones. The need to achieve all of that whilst still being small, frugal and cheap must present one almighty headache to vehicle designers. But by and large, this car achieves it.

We’re not pretending this MK2 Picanto to be perfect. The 1.0-litre version could be a little quieter and needs stop start. And it would be nice if the boot was a little bigger. But these things apart, we’ve struggled to find fault with this car. In terms of looks, packaging, running costs and general day-to-day usability, Kia set a new benchmark with this model. What it boils down to is that though you can spend less on a used citycar from this period, after trying one of these, you probably won’t want to.