R 262 995.00 (Recommended retail)
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The reliability of the Kia Picanto.
The manufacturer placed second out of 30 companies in our 2020 Driver Power study, with comments highlighting how Kia offers safe, dependable, high-quality vehicles. A list of the top 75 vehicles to own placed the Picanto in number 29.
Problem:
The crankshaft of the Picanto is known to have problems. Crankshaft pulley bolt failure, crankshaft position sensor failure, and the crankshaft breaking directly behind the crank timing gear have all been reported as issues. Any one of these difficulties may result in difficult starting, a lack of power, or poor engine idling. Is the idleness in the video similar to your current issue?
Which automobile in South Africa is the cheapest?
5 New Cars in South Africa Under $20,000 in 2022
- R149 990 for the BAIC D20.
- R152 900 Suzuki S-Presso.
- Mahindra KUV100 Nxt 1.2 G80 K2+ Starting at R162,999
- KwidR170 400 from Renault.
- Suzuki Celerio Starting from R174 900.
The Kia Picanto is automatic, right?
The Kia Picanto appears to be the ideal compact car because it is affordable to buy and operate, offers excellent fuel efficiency, and has small, maneuverable dimensions.
However, it’s getting on in age and, when compared to more contemporaryand perhaps more fashionablealternatives, is beginning to feel like a blu-ray player in a world of digital downloads.
When you enter the Kia Picanto, the minimalist design philosophy is still there. The front is perfectly roomy, and the smartif slightly gloomydashboard is laid up in a way that makes everything simple to use.
A larger and more colorful 8-inch infotainment screen than that seen in the VW Up is available starting with 3-spec vehicles and upwards. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can use the apps on your smartphone on the huge screen in the Kia, and the system is quick and easy to operate.
Access to the back seats is good because all versions come standard with five doors, unlike some even more compact options, albeit anyone over six feet tall may feel crowded. The Kia Picanto’s boot is similar in that it can fit a few bags of groceries but not much else.
The Kia Picanto is an odd-looking vehicle that works well in urban areas. Just a shame it doesn’t give you more assurance on the freeway.
But you should go somewhere else if you want a huge interior. The Picanto was designed to navigate city streets quickly, and it does it admirably, slipping through gaps in traffic that larger vehicles can’t and gliding past width restrictions like they don’t exist. Because the car’s four corners are straightforward to estimate while you’re slipping into small places, parking couldn’t be any easier.
Two petrol engines are available: a 1.0-liter non-turbo engine with 67 horsepower, or a 100-horsepower turbo engine. The turbo version is still the superior option because it is powerful and still economical, even if the first is somewhat more affordable to acquire and operate than the turbo 1.0.
The Kia never feels like it belongs on quicker roads, regardless of the engine that is installed. Wind gusts transform the car’s slab-sided body into a large sail that pushes and pulls the vehicle along the road. Jiggly suspension, as well as the noticeable quantity of wind and road noise that enters the interior, do not aid in relaxation for you or your passengers.
There are, therefore, superior city cars for using the freeway and transporting passengers in the back, but if you don’t do either of those things frequently, you can still benefit from the abundance of standard equipment and the assurance that a long warranty provides.
Continue reading to learn more about the interior, utility, and driving aspects of the Kia Picanto, or visit our Kia Picanto deals page to find out how much money you can save on your next new vehicle.
The range of insurance groups is 1 to 50, with 1 being the least expensive. The Kia Picanto is small and inexpensive, therefore insurance costs are low, albeit some models are less expensive than others. The non-turbo 1.0-liter 1 model is the least expensive and is in group 4, while the turbo 1.0-liter engine in the GT-Line, GT-Line S, X-Line, and X-Line S trims is the most expensive and is in group 10.
The Kia Picanto is a five-door compact city car. There are three distinct tiny petrol engines included, and there are several trim levels.
Yes, an automatic manual transmission is offered for the Kia Picanto. However, because it takes a while to change cogs, driving it isn’t really enjoyable.
The Kia Picantoa has two engine options: a 1.0-liter gasoline engine with 67 horsepower and a turbocharged version with 100 horsepower.
Are Kias costly to repair?
With an annual repair cost of about $474far less than the $652 average for vehicle maintenanceKias tend to be substantially less expensive to maintain than the average car. This is because they are an affordable brand with strong reliability ratings.
The sticker price of a Kia is just the beginning of the costs you’ll incur over the course of ownership, but you’ll receive a lot for your money. However, it’s essential to maintain your Kia properly to make sure it functions smoothly. Additionally, bear in mind that some Kias will cost more each year than others.
Is Kia Picanto insurance affordable?
The little Picanto should be at a disadvantage compared to the Hyundai i10 below, which is in insurance group 2 and has mechanical components in common with the Kia.
However, the Kia is not only more affordable to purchase than the Hyundai, but it is also marginally less expensive to insure for both sample drivers. A quick city car with an industry-leading seven-year warranty is the Picanto. Front electric windows, auxiliary and USB connections, and remote central locking are all included with the base 1 trim.
Are Kia vehicles durable?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Can the Picanto handle a highway?
The Sandero, the Hyundai i10, and the Up all offer smoother rides than the Picanto. It throws you about more on curvy city streets and makes you fidget more throughout bumpy stretches of highway.
Everything is relative, though. Actually, it’s not at all unpleasant, particularly if you stay away from the larger 16-inch alloy wheels that are included with top versions. The good news is that it doesn’t bounce around on crooked rural roads because it has slightly firmer springs than its competitors.
Does the Kia Picanto use little gas?
We loaded the Kia Picanto up for a weekend road trip even though it is a quintessential tiny city car and we are already familiar with its urban capabilities. In and around cities, where average speeds are frequently lower due to traffic congestion and, tragically, poor road conditions, the vast majority of city cars provide adequate performance and efficiency, but many of them often struggle on wide roads. Although the 1.2 X-Line felt aggressive when passing slower traffic, some cheap compact vehicles actually struggle to maintain three-digit national highway speeds.
The 1.25-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that powers the Picanto flagship produces 61 kW and 122 Nm. The derivative has a 5-speed manual transmission, but an automatic is also an option for a little bit additional money. The gearbox has a comfortable movement, and shifting only requires a small amount of effort. It’s also a good thing because you’ll probably utilize the ‘box aggressively to get the most power out of that obedient engine.
We believe the Picanto’s low kerb weight is the key to its nipiness (962 kg). Because the 1.2-liter engine has little mass to move, it performs eagerly. Another advantage is that the engine doesn’t have to work hard, which increases fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency does, of course, depend on your driving habits, but if you practice economical driving, you can achieve low fuel consumption rates.
We were pleased to see a return of 5.1 L/100 km on the open road, which was a significant increase over the stated number of 6.4 L/100 km we saw during the vehicle’s introduction in the middle of February 2021. This was where Kia’s remarkable fuel economy began to shine. Officially, Kia claims 5.0 L/100 km, so we were extremely pleased with our consumption rate.
Despite its budget-car foundations, the Kia Picanto exhibits good driving characteristics and feels securely planted on the pavement. During our road trip, we experienced some strong crosswinds, but we were pleasantly pleased by how sure-footed the 1.2 X-Line felt. In such circumstances, several of the Korean offering’s competitors feel rather insecure, but the tenacious Picanto soldiered bravely.
The Kia Picanto’s steering is light, rather direct, and provides comforting feel. Even if you are a lousy parker, rear PDC and a reverse-view camera make things nearly straightforward. Inner city and low-speed manners are good, which makes parallel parking and alley docking a cinch. The 185/55 tires on the 15-inch wheels absorb the majority of the road’s irregularities.
Although it is a somewhat inexpensive car, driving it doesn’t seem cheap. The Picanto feels a little more upscale than some of its competitors, and the refinement is apparent in the engine or road noise, which is effectively muted.
We thought it would be appropriate to evaluate the test vehicle’s gravel-travel abilities given the 1.2 X-off-road-inspired Line’s aesthetics, but it performed similarly to other compact city vehicles. The crossover add-ons are probably simply for show, but that could also be said of the majority of compact hatchbacks that are dressed to please.
You can purchase a city car at this price bracket with all the bells and whistles you could want.
The interiors of Kia’s most recent models are of a high caliber (and not only in the top-end variants), and the Picanto feels unexpectedly upscale when compared to some of its main rivals. The 1.2 X-quality Line’s of fit and finish is good, and premium materials have been used, which are pleasant to the touch. The car’s interior is nicely decorated with two-tone faux leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. In contrast, the fascia arrangement is straightforward and minimalistic.
Given its range-topping rank, the 1.2 X-Line is crammed with features. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity is new for this variant and is accessed via a single central USB port. We saw that there was no voice control button on the steering wheel for the Android Auto configuration. The system depends on this missing button, which enables queries like “Hey Google/Siri, navigate,” among others. We discovered a solution, but it required touching an icon on the touchscreen; we much prefer to always keep both hands on the steering wheel.
To clarify, there are electric windows on all sides, manual air conditioning, USB/Aux/Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, a rear camera, fog lights, LED daytime running lights, and 15-inch alloy wheels, among other important features. Our test vehicle included an optional sunroof.
The boot of the Kia Picanto can only accommodate two hand-luggage sized, tiny suitcases.
The Kia Picanto has one of the smallest load bays in the market at 255 liters. The load compartment, as seen in the image above, barely has room for three tiny handbags. Although the back seats can be folded down to create more capacity, we instead used the rear seats and rear legroom regions for storage. This is your best option if you don’t need to transport more people than two.