The Kia Picanto is a city car five-door hatchback, closely related to the Hyundai i10. The current model was launched in the middle of 2017 and is the third generation model to wear the Picanto name.
The latest Picanto is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, reflecting Kia’s progression from a budget brand that competed purely on price to a mainstream brand that rivals established European manufacturers.
The Kia Picanto has received an unusually broad variation of review scores from the UK motoring media, ranging from full marks and a “City Car of the Year” award from What Car? to a very poor score and “Don’t Buy” recommendation from rival Which?. The GT-Line models have also tended to receive better scores than the more basic models, which don’t get the same level of safety equipment.
The Picanto has received praise for its praticality, interior quality and driving dynamics. However, it has been criticised for its poor three-star safety rating (four stars with the extra safety pack), which falls well short of the five-star rating from several of its rivals.
Body style: Small five-door hatch
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £9,895 on-road
Launched: Spring 2017
Last updated: Summer 2018
Replacement due: TBA
MEDIA REVIEWS
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media

The Car Expert
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The new Kia Picanto is improved in all areas and remains a top contender in the city car market.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Picanto city car has plenty of kit and offers a grown-up drive to go with its sporty looks.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The GT Line’s sports styling may be a bit over-the-top for more mature buyers but will more likely be approved of by the twenty-something clientele that Kia is directly courting.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre T-GDI manual GT-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“Whether or not the racy aesthetics of this flagship model are enough for the Picanto to shake off its rather anodyne image remains to be seen. But its spacious and well-made interior, punchy engine and sorted driving dynamics mean that, cost aside, this is a very capable city car.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual 2
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kia Picanto has all the makings of an excellent city car. It’s small, nimble, cheap to run and punches well above its weight for refinement and standard equipment on higher-trim cars.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual GT-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“City-dwellers are spoiled for choice in the current small car market. Working in the Kia Picanto’s favour are an enjoyable driving experience, a practical, well-made interior and a strong ownership proposition.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Kia Picanto is more polished and practical than ever before.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Kia Picanto looks great, costs peanuts to run and has a generous boot, but other city cars are better at carrying rear passengers and less strained on motorways.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 10 / 10
“If you want a small, fun, affordable car the Kia Picanto is probably the next best thing after a Volkswagen Up. The Picanto is fun to drive, affordably priced, cheap to run and does everything you’d hope a small car should do.”
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“The 2017 Kia Picanto is a bit special. So what have they done to make the car so good? Partly a new electric motor-assisted steering that replaces the rather dead and wooden system in the previous Picanto. And partly some clever rear suspension work.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Kia’s smallest car has big style and kit”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“With the latest Picanto, Kia has seriously closed the gap on the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Another string to Kia’s ever more impressive bow, the Picanto is a fun and interesting city car.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 10 / 10
“The Kia Picanto is one of the very best city cars, with a smart interior, tidy handling and decent practicality.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 4.5 / 10
“Certain versions of the Kia Picanto only have a three-star Euro NCAP rating, so we can’t recommend them. Otherwise, the Picanto is a surprisingly good-to-drive little runabout with plenty of equipment and some sophisticated technology.” Rated a DON’T BUY.
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SAFETY RATING
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 3 stars
Date tested: September 2017
Note on safety rating
The Kia Picanto received a three-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in standard specification, which is sold in the UK as the ‘1’ and ‘2’ spec models. Standard on ‘3’ spec and upwards, and optional on ‘2’ spec models, is extra safety kit that upgrades the Picanto’s safety rating to four stars.
Eco rating
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP
The Kia Picanto has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. Check back soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia Picanto has received
2021
- Company Car Awards – Best City Car
2020
- What Car? Awards – Best Value Car
- Auto Express Driver Power – Best City Car
2019
- What Car? Awards – City Car of the Year
- News UK Motor Awards – Value Car of the Year
- Auto Express Driver Power – Best City Car
2018
- What Car? Awards – Best City Car
- Fleet World Honours – Best City Car
- Red Dot Awards – Car Design award
- iF Design Awards – Product Design awards
2017
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Car for less than £150 a month
- Car Tech Awards – Most User-Friendly Car
Similar cars
If you’re interested in the Kia Picanto, you might also like to consider these alternatives
Citroën C1 | Fiat 500 | Fiat Panda | Hyundai i10 | Peugeot 108 | SEAT Mii | Skoda Citigo | Smart Forfour | Toyota Aygo | Volkswagen up!