Kia, like many contenders in the A/B segments of micro and light car, has opted to give the 2024 Picanto a deep facelift rather than a complete redesign, possibly due to the contracting sales numbers in these tiny car segments.
After a stellar sales performance in 2023, shifting 7706 units (increased from 5196 in 2022), sales have softened marginally to the end of May 2024, with a still decent 2144 units year-to-date (down 17.5 per cent). Strong showings from the Suzuki Swift and Mazda2 in the Light car segment may have Kia second-guessing its decision to axe the Rio.
Sadly, the 1.0-litre turbocharged GT model has been axed, leaving the 1.25-litre four-cylinder with five-speed manual or four-speed auto as the only choices. As we’ll expand on, there are some silver linings to the atmo engine, however.
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: Specifications
Engine: 1.25-litre petrol four-cylinder
Output: 62kW@6000rpm / 122Nm@4000rpm
Gearbox: Five-speed manual
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 16×6.5, 195/45
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 976kg
Power-to-weight: 15.74:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 5.4L/100km
Our consumption: 6.2L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 35L/91 RONPower efficiency: 11.48kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 5.03 seconds*
0-100km/h: 11.93 seconds*
60-110km/h: 9.50 seconds*
1/4 mile: 18.26 seconds at 122.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.604g*
100-0km/h braking: 39.41m in 3.12 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.232g*
Decibel at idle: 37*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 76*
Starting price: $19,960
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: How much does it cost?
The 2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line starts from $19,690 versus $17,890 for the less alluring Sport, excluding on-roads. This is for the five-speed manual-equipped cars, with the antiquated four-speed automatic adding $1600 to the bottom line of each model.
Although the loss of the 1.0-litre turbo is a major negative from a driver enjoyment point of view (we miss its low down torque and sweet note), it is also a win due to the 1.25 having longer service intervals; 15,000km versus 10,000km, and being able to run on 91 RON unleaded instead of the 1.0-litre turbo’s 95.
Servicing varies between $310 to $630, totalling $3069 over the seven-year/ 105,000km plan – if you service at a Kia dealer, which also tops up your roadside assistance plan. The service costs are the same for the automatic version too.
The manual is rated at 5.4L/100km, with a dinky 35-litre fuel tank, with the automatic consuming slightly more at 6.0L/100km. The auto weighs 17kg more as well. At the time of writing, the average price of 91 unleaded in Sydney is $2.12/L, meaning a full tank would cost a scant $74.20.
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: Interior & packaging
Borrowing the ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy which started with the EV9 and has spread throughout Kia’s lineup, the new Picanto has futuristic vertically-stacked headlamps, with a horizontal light bar, as well as some very EV-like design elements. The drab, rental-spec Picanto S gives way to the somewhat less bland Sport, but the visual glitz is reserved for the GT-Line we have on test.
It gets trapezoidal lower grille openings, jewelled, vertical LEDs and intricately-patterned 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, plus a cute diffuser at the rear. In the Astro Grey metallic of our test car (a $520 option), it looks like a futuristic robot fly – successfully modernising the Picanto and imbuing it with a fresh character.
The interior has been modernised too with a 4.2-inch digital cluster and revamped seat trim, as well as the introduction of USB-C ports. Another area which has received attention is Picanto’s ADAS systems, which includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assistance, rear cross-traffic alert and AEB in both directions. The outgoing Picanto is a four-star ANCAP performer and the new model is yet to be tested.
At 3595mm long, 1595mm wide and 1485mm tall with a small 2400mm wheelbase, the Picanto is only 195mm shy of Japanese kei car regulation length, such as the Honda N-One we tested recently. Despite this, room is decent for front occupants and rear headroom is acceptable.
Rear legroom is compromised for longer journeys, unless front occupants want to sacrifice some of theirs. If you’re frequently travelling with more than two adults, you might want to ensure they can travel comfortably in the rear seats before purchasing. The driver’s seat is adjustable for height but the front passenger seat does without.
In terms of decor, the same functional layout as before carries over, with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, and a six-speaker stereo.
The hard plastics remain at the top of the dash, with the synthetic leather on the seats coming in for some minor attention – but still feel a bit like a hobo’s linoleum bag. The new instrument panel follows the current Hyundai and Kia trend of crisp, clear digital numerals, bisected by a trip computer, and it works an absolute treat. Not only does it modernise the interior, but it makes vital information like speed easy to absorb at a glance.
Volume and tuning knobs, as well as easy twist action for the climate controls mean less time with your eyes off the road. You can tell where everything by feel and this is how it should be done. Take note, everyone else.
Boot space varies from a scant 255 litres with the rear seats up to 1010L when they’re folded. A temporary space saver spare tyre resides under the boot floor.
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: Powertrain & handling
Flip the key, twist the ignition and the 1.25-litre fires into life quietly but with a definite workman-like timbre. Being a GT-Line, you are treated to alloy pedals and a schmick flat-bottomed steering wheel with intuitive audio controls.
We’ll get the bad part out of the way first: 62kW at 6000rpm and 122Nm from a lofty 4000rpm, means you gotta work this little bugger. Up steep hills, sometimes two downshifts are required. The clutch action is satisfying, with a quick stab, but the gearshift is akin to a 1995 Hyundai Excel – rubbery and unsatisfying.
It’s a shame, because the close-ratio shifter in the old Picanto GT felt a lot more precise and pleasant. It’s not a dealbreaker, though, because the joy of a manual car is becoming an increasingly scarce one and it’s quite easy to keep the Picanto on the boil.
Adding to this, the car feels way more planted at high speed than a tiny, upright hatch has any right to, inspiring a level of confidence you would not expect from this car. Kia’s local tuners have done a fantastic job of striking a balance between excellent ride and handling with the latest Picanto. The chassis’s ability to hold speed goes a long way to compensating for the dearth of power and torque, so it is a lot more fun to drive than you might think.
It’s worth mentioning the GT-Line has 195/45 Kumho tyres with 16-inch alloys, versus the narrower 175/65, 14-inch combo of the Sport – which we expect would be noticeably less confidence inspiring.
We’re also pretty chuffed with the mechanical handbrake. Although a mature and high-brow periodical like DE would never engage in such tomfoolery, we had to test if it works…
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What we really would’ve loved to see is the 1.0-litre turbo engine retained, with a sixth gear added to the manual, and the former Rio GT-Line’s seven-speed DCT, but since that is a pipe dream, we’ll have to enjoy the Picanto GT-Line for what it is – and there’s surprisingly plenty to be joyful about.
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Robot fly styling: Kia’s design language works very well on the smallest car, with character aplenty.
- Great infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standout features for this class.
- Worthwhile ADAS upgrades: New active safety features make a tangible difference to the drive without being over-the-top and easily disabled if they annoy you
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: Key considerations before you buy
- Automatic version is more sluggish and thirstier: The manual is the pick. Go figure.
- Not a lot of room in the back or boot: Even for this class.
2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X-factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
In spite of the price increases, it remains good value, cheap to fill, has excellent ride and handling, great infotainment and an excellent 7-year warranty and roadside package. Due to our affinity with the outgoing GT, we were expecting the 1.25 to be a dull and dreary affair, but found out there was still fun to be had. If you enjoy driving and want a small, cheap to run new car, it deserves your attention.
