If you’re worried about the rising cost of living and need a bit of an automotive breather, let me introduce you to the recently refreshed Kia Picanto…
The Picanto is not a brand-new or ground-breaking product. It’s always been Kia’s entry-level offering for budget-savvy customers, be that first-time buyers, retired folks, or anyone who just needs a sensible little car for sensibly little money. And to immediately put a price tag on this base model 1.0 LX, it currently retails for just ZAR 260,995.
As for the “little” part of my description, even this latest version of the Korean compact hatchback brings the following diminutive numbers to the table: 3.6m length, 1.6m width and 1.5m height. This means that it may almost vanish between all the huge ego-extension SUV’s and decal-drenched bakkies in local parking lots, but it’s also far easier to manoeuvre in tight places; or tricky situations.
Other village runaround criteria includes 255L of cargo capacity (extendable to 1,010L with the rear seat backs folded down), a kerb weight of just 960kg and ground clearance around 150mm… which means that it can even negotiate a steep driveway, oversized speed hump or the odd bit of South African off-road adventure.
Powering all of this is a small yet feisty 998cc in-line 3-cylinder (naturally-aspirated) petrol engine which develops up to 48kW at 5,500rpm or 95Nm at 3,750rpm. All of those numbers are laughably weak in a world filled with 2-second Teslas or 300kW 4×4’s but it does bring a few commuter-friendly advantages with it.
First of all, Kia South Africa does not publish any 0-100km/h or top speed figures, and I safely assume it’s because they don’t want to scare off a large portion of its potential market. Which one? The energetic and speed-obsessed teenager, who’s just gotten their driver’s license and is late for the next party.
These young hooligans (and their guardians) will be pleased to know that we slapped our performance-testing equipment onto this dark grey metallic press vehicle and – despite it exhibiting the slight sluggishness of a car with just 3,300km on the milometer – gave it the spurs to determine its sprinting abilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNJnhsUO46k
The best out of four acceleration attempts resulted in 13.26 seconds; not a blistering time but smack-bang in the middle of the fifteen 1-litre-class vehicles we’ve performance-tested. I even kept my foot firmly in the carpet to determine some sort of top speed, which turned out to be 161.61km/h at an indicated 167.
It’s worth noting that the Picanto 1.0 LX probably had a few more km/h to give, as the digital tachometer alleged 6.3 (thousand rpm) in fourth gear, although the fifth and final gear would not have added anything to the final tally; at least not on our level testing road. And while we’re on the subject, this was one of my personal gripes with this car.
As a budget vehicle, it’s very cool to see a fully digital instrument cluster, albeit with static mood lighting surrounding a comparably tiny display. This shows the basics we’ve come to expect: speed, rpm, fuel level, coolant temperature, mileage, two trip meters, outside temperature, theoretical range and a few minor settings. Top marks, so far.
Unfortunately I couldn’t find an instant fuel consumption read-out, only an average one, which hovered alarmingly close to 10L/100km while trying to keep up with school traffic in my mountainous suburb. Kia claims 5L/100km from the 35L tank, which we easily achieved on a return trip to Cape Town, because our average sank to 6.3 after that.
Perhaps you’ll agree that we’ve become accustomed to the occasional digital speed readout – like this one. But I simply couldn’t get used to its digital tachometer / rev counter cousin… because it’s hard to focus on two rapidly changing digits (even if they turn red at 6.5) instead of a needle swooping across a dial.
Other than that, I enjoyed my few days behind the stylish and part-adjustable steering wheel of this third-generation Picanto. Someone bemoaned the lack of cruise control (or a rear wiper) but that’s what you can expect in the most affordable version of a budget vehicle. Hand-on-heart though, this compact Korean didn’t feel flimsy or cheap in any way.
The media screen is more sombre (or less colourful) than those found in its Indian-sourced counterparts, plus it seems that you need a USB cable to mirror Apple or Android phones. On the chocolate side, at least is has multiple physical knobs and buttons, plus the audio quality was pretty decent for a base-model hatchback.
Yeah, it’s also got manual ventilation controls, but they work just fine and are even part-automated as the A/C will switch itself on when required. I found a 12V socket and multiple USB ports, two airbags, a manual hand brake, two cup holders and plenty of door pocket space, easily reclined 60/40 split rear backs and a second boot floor. Above the hidden spare wheel.
The base model does have ABS (anti-lock brakes), which meant that our single emergency brake test was over in 3.37 seconds and 46.59 meters. Those would be decidedly mediocre results if it wasn’t for the fact that all our tests were conducted in properly wintery conditions: on very cold and wet tarmac.
For the record, this test vehicle’s 14-inch steel rims (with rather handsome 5-spoke hubcaps) were shod with Nexen N Blue HD Plus tires of the dimension 175/65R14. Smarter alloys (in 14 or 15 inch diameters) as well as various extra safety and comfort features are reserved for the dearer 1.2L 4-cylinder models.
As can be expected, this weaker 1-litre three-pot derivative has light and fluffy controls but needs a more determined throttle application to get going properly. I also picked my usual fight with the unintelligent gear change position indicator, although I will admit that this tiny new engine managed to at least hold its momentum when I expected it to capitulate.
In an effort to start summing up, the new Kia Picanto LX base model may have a few blank switches and dark grey cloth seats, but it was an absolute delight to zip around villages and tackle the odd country road. Highway manners are OK-ish with the usual high-rpm cruising speeds and a propensity to ask for the first dance with any and every gust of wind.
It’s not bad looking, can be very economical and versatile, has a few cool design touches and offers just the right amount of safety gear for budget-wise buyers. Each new Picanto is sold with a 5-year (unlimited mileage) warranty and roadside assistance, in your choice of eight exterior paint colours.