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Which KIA Picanto is the best? Brand new versus used! – REVIEW

December 30, 2024

Design revamped Kia Picanto

The updated Picanto features a completely redesigned front end with new bumpers, the distinctive “tiger nose” grille, sharply drawn front fenders and a new hood. Of course, the new light units also stand out. The redesigned taillights and newly drawn rear bumper also make a difference. The powerful, wide light band makes the car optically wider. The GT-Line impresses with its sporty design accents, an extra-large “tiger nose” grille, special 16-inch diamond-cut rims and a sporty GT-Line rear diffuser. It certainly says something.

Interior of new Kia Picanto

In the interior, we detect new, durable interior materials, a digital instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and Bluetooth multiconnectivity that allows simultaneous pairing of two mobile devices. The multimedia system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new OTA functionality provides continuous updates to the navigation and infotainment system.























Kia Picanto 2018 versus Kia Picanto 2024

Difference in specifications

In this comparison, we put a 2018 Kia Picanto with the beloved 1.0 T-GDi turbocharged gasoline engine with 74 kW (100 hp) and 171 Nm next to the new Picanto. We briefly list the specifications for you.

Kia Picanto 1.0 DPI (2024)

Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi (2018)

OLD vs NEW: which KIA Picanto is the best? – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV

1.0 DPI gasoline engine for updated Kia Picanto

All versions of the updated Kia Picanto feature a 1.0 DPI gasoline engine: an atmospheric engine with improved exhaust gas circulation ducts and optimized valve timing on the intake side. The cooling of the combustion chambers has also been improved. But the engine works in conjunction with software designed to reduce emissions, and you feel it. Whereas with a 1.0 T-GDi you always have power, that is not the case with this engine. You have to make it work. Downshifting is the rule rather than the exception to make the car accelerate. The engine is economical; with an average consumption of 1:20, you still get the necessary kilometers out of the 35-liter gas tank.

The gasoline engine drives the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission (5MT) or the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). The latter is based on the five-speed manual transmission, where clutch/unclutch and shifting are automatic. That automatic version – which comes only as a four-seater – is a bit more expensive: 24,895 euros.

Driving assistance systems galore

Yes, even the Picanto cannot escape ADAS. While the 2018 Picanto still gives you plenty of peace and quiet when you’re on the road, the revamped Picanto has the necessary bells and whistles. Fortunately, everything can be turned off, such as the lane assistant and speed alert. The fatigue assistant deserves some fine tuning. It tells you to take a break every ten minutes, even if you have a neat driving style.

The new Kia Picanto also comes standard with Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Leading Vehicle Departure Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Forward Collision Assist (FCA) with vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian detection. The GT-Line always features Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA 1.5) with Junction Turning, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.  

Models Kia Picanto

Kia Netherlands offers the updated Kia Picanto in four trim levels. The base model, the DynamicLine, comes standard with air conditioning, 8-inch full map navigation, Kia Connect and Live services, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera, among other features. It is also equipped with autonomous lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking assistance with pedestrian and bicycle detection.

As extras, the DynamicPlusLine has full LED headlights with LED indicators, privacy glass, alloy wheels, a rear USB-C connector and power folding door mirrors with LED indicators.

The new ExecutiveLine also offers heated front seats, steering wheel heating, climate control, a smart key with start/stop button and a wireless charging station for smartphones.

The sporty GT-Line combines the luxury of the ExecutiveLine with styling details such as the GT-Line ‘Light Guide’ front LED strip and 16-light alloy wheels. Inside, it stands out with its GT-Line steering wheel and black GT-Line leather-look trim. This version also has blind spot assist, rear cross traffic assist and a sliding/tilting sunroof.

“In terms of driving, the Picanto is a very mature car, especially considering its size.”

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The price of a Kia Picanto

The new Kia Picanto starts in the Netherlands at 18,995 euros. Small note: that is the price of the four-seater. The variant with five seats comes from 19,795 euros. In 2020, the new price of a Kia Picanto with 100-hp 1.0 T-GDi was around 18,000 euros. Thanks to bpm, prices have risen considerably. The Picanto GT-Line with five seats will now cost you 23,695 euros. Quite a few pennies. The choice is yours: choose a used one or go for a new one. Of course, with a new one, you still benefit from the full seven-year manufacturer’s warranty. With a used one, that is at most a remainder of it.

By the way, the color of “our” test car is called Adventurous Green. Signal Red and Sporty Blue are also nice. Otherwise, Kia’s colors are mostly subdued, namely Milky Beige, Sparkling Silver, Auroro Black Pearl, Astro Grey and Smoke Blue. As standard, the Picanto comes in Clear White. A different color will cost you an additional 495 euros.  

The differences at a glance

We must honestly admit that the modifications compared to the new Kia Picanto on the inside are not very shocking. Things have been modernized, of course. Compared to the specimen, the new Picanto has had several upgrades:

Yet the basics are still the same, even the material for the dashboard. There are no differences in this. The high told threshold in the luggage compartment has remained, if the car does not have the variable floor. Remarkable: the quality of the parking camera has not actually improved much.

Conclusion

Well, what to choose? The Kia Picanto with 100 horsepower 1.0 T-GDi is by far the nicer car in this comparison. This is mainly because of the extra power. But this new Picanto also looks good, even with this more modest powertrain. Indeed, it is unique how much luxury and equipment Kia manages to cram into an A-segment car. You have to pay quite a bit for that these days, though. But the new looks suit it well and the car drives pleasantly, too. It is one of the most mature cars in the A-segment with more space than you expect. Glad the Picanto is still around. It’s up to you whether you go for a used car with more power and less warranty, or a brand new Picanto with less power, more warranty and fresh looks. In the latter case, you do spend almost half as much money in this example. Because a used Picanto 1.0 T-GDi with a similar year of manufacture will take you home for about 13,000 euros. The new Picanto in this comparison will cost you almost 25,000 euros.