Kia was a relatively slow starter in the sales race in Australia as its sort-of big brother Hyundai was dominating it in many classes.
However, Kia’s introduction of a seven-year warranty got a lot of attention from potential buyers and even today few other marques have matched it.
There’s solid European influence in the styling of later models as they are from famed designer Peter Schreyer.
The bold front includes the Kia ‘Tiger’ nose design which became a major feature of all Kias.
There’s a reasonable amount of interior space in a car of this class.
Four adults can be carried if there’s sharing between the two sitting on the right side of the car.
That’s because the driver obviously has first choice.
The seats are quite firm but comfortable enough. At least around town, but on long country trips they are likely to become tiring.
There is pretty good headroom in all seats but we suggest you try the seats as part of your pre-purchase routine if you’re tall.
Kia Picanto was originally offered with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produced 62kW of power and 120Nm of torque, driving through a four-speed automatic.
It sometimes struggled to find the correct gear in hilly terrain, changing up and down too often.
A five-speed manual was introduced with the generation change in 2017 and is more pleasant to drive if you’re the sort of person who enjoys getting the best from a car.
The 2017 engine was still the same 1.2-litre unit but had been worked over to give it a more pleasant feeling and added performance.
The little Picanto achieved an ANCAP five-star safety rating right from the start.
It has six airbags; ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist; stability and traction control; hill-start assist; daytime running lights; outer rear seat ISOFix anchorage points and a high-mounted rear stop light with emergency-stop signal.
The value for money combined with the five-star ANCAP rating and seven-year warranty have seen Picanto sales strong.
Kia Australia launched the third generation of the Picanto in May, 2017.
It has a longer wheelbase that gives it extra space in the cabin and a larger boot.
In January, 2018 a special edition, tagged GT-Line, was added to mark Kia’s sponsorship of the Australian Tennis Open.
It looked sporty but the GT-Line should not be confused with the frisky 1.0-litre turbocharged GT offered between 2018 and 2023.
Available only as a manual, it produced a healthy 74kW of power and 172Nm of torque, and is genuinely fun to drive.
Sadly, GT didn’t make the cut for 2024.
Such was the popularity of the sporty Picanto, the new ‘top seed’ GT-Line became a permanent fixture of the Kia team.
Kia is strongly established in Australia and there are dealers in all major areas, with an increasing number in the country cities and larger towns.
Spare parts and servicing costs are about average for this class.
We seldom hear of any holdups when parts not in stock need to be sent to a dealer.
Insurance costs are about average for this car class.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Remember low-cost cars may be bought by people who haven’t a lot of money to spare – and who don’t have them serviced at the correct intervals.
Though the Picanto is a low-cost car it’s smart to spend money on a professional inspection.
Look at the interior and boot for signs of general wear and tear.
The back seat may have suffered if kids have knocked it about.
The engine should start within a second or so, even when it’s cold. Within another few seconds, it should settle into a steady idle.
Picanto’s manual gearbox should be moderately light in its action and not crunch on any of the downchanges, no matter how fast they are made.
The third-to-second downchange in the manual is usually the first to wear to the extent that a major repair is needed. That’s not going to be cheap.
Check the body for signs of scars caused by doors being opened against it in carparks.
Poorly repaired crash damage will show as paint which doesn’t match from panel to panel; a ripply finish in a panel; or tiny specks of paint on non-painted parts.
Look at the wheels for signs of them hitting kerbs, the front left is one that suffers most.
Run your hand over the width of the tyres in both directions. Any unevenness may indicate suspension damage.
Or it could be that the Picanto has been cornered hard by a would be Dan Ricciardo.
HOW MUCH?
Budget on spending from $7000 to $11,000 for a 2017 Kia Picanto S; $8000 to $13,000 for a 2019 GT-Line; $9000 to $14,000 for a 2018 GT Turbo; $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2019 X-Line or a 2020 GT-Line; $11,000 to $16,000 for a 2021 S; and $13,000 to $18,000 for a 2021 GT Turbo.
CAR BUYING TIPS
Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.
That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.
Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.
Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.
That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.
Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.
This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.
Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.
Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.
If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot.
This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.
If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.
Take a slow walk around any car you’re considering, looking for obvious defects.
It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.
Ideally any road test of a car you’re getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.
If you’re serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.
If they insist on coming that’s understandable, but try to avoid them “selling” the car to you.
Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,
In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.
The next owner may suffer as a result.
RECALLS
To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/