First launched back in 2001, the Kia Picanto nameplate is now one of the longest-serving and well-established monikers in the city car class.
Replacing the Kia Pride in the Korean marque’s line-up, the arrival of the first generation Picanto and the evolution to the current generation – introduced in 2017 but followed by a facelift in both 2020 and 2023 – spans Kia’s metamorphosis from a low volume brand to one of the UK’s best-selling.
The Kia Picanto is an excellent alternative if you are considering used city cars like the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen Up or the Fiat 500.
Here we consider the Kia Picanto as a used car prospect and why it is an excellent choice for first-time buyers, those seeking an economical second car and for anyone looking for a great value city runabout.
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This guide covers the third-generation Kia Picanto (model code JA), on sale since 2017 and still in production. Every version is petrol-only. Use it to match the right year, trim and engine to the way you drive, then browse the used Kia Picanto range at Vertu.
Which Years Suit Which Driver?
- Longer wheelbase than the previous Picanto, bringing more cabin space and sharper handling.
- Two facelifts, in 2020 and 2024, each changing who the car suits best.
Generations | What Changed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
2017–2020 | Widest engine choice: 1.0, 1.25 and 1.0 T-GDi turbo (GT-Line and GT-Line S). Conventional automatic available. X-Line and X-Line S added in 2018. | Drivers wanting extra pull on faster roads |
2020–2024 | First facelift: larger touchscreen, 4.2-inch colour driver display, five-speed AMT replaces the conventional automatic, 1.25 dropped. | Drivers wanting modern connectivity without the newest model |
2024 onwards | Bolder front end, simplified range topped by GT-Line and GT-Line S, standard safety technology, 8-inch touchscreen across the range. X-Line discontinued. | Drivers wanting the latest specification |
Special editions such as Zest (2020) and Shadow (2024) add their own colours and styling details.
Comfort and Technology
Logical cabin layout, with better materials than you’d expect from a city car.
GT-Line versions add red accent stitching and sporty trim.
4.2-inch colour driver display from the 2020 facelift, replacing a monochrome screen.
Higher trims add heated front seats and steering wheel, automatic climate control, cruise control, a wireless phone charger, keyless entry and an electric sunroof. GT-Line S has the longest list.
Version | Infotainment | Suits Drivers Who |
|---|---|---|
Trims 1 and 2 (earlier cars) | Radio with Bluetooth | Mainly play music from a phone |
Trims 3, X-Line and GT-Line | 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; sat-nav on higher trims | Use phone or built-in navigation regularly |
All versions from 2024 | 8-inch touchscreen as standard | Want the same connectivity whichever trim they choose |
Space and Practicality
255-litre boot with the seats up, generous for the class.
1,010 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded.
Adjustable boot floor on higher-spec cars, creating a flat load area.
Seating is four or five depending on the version; confirm the layout with your local dealership if you regularly carry passengers.
Which Trim and Engine Suit Your Journeys?
Engines
Engine | Availability | Suits Drivers Who |
|---|---|---|
1.0 | Core engine since launch | Mostly drive in town and on shorter commutes |
1.25 | 2017–2020 | Want a smoother, noticeably quicker car on faster roads |
1.0 T-GDi turbo | GT-Line and GT-Line S, before 2024 | Want strong low-down pull and relaxed faster-road driving |
Trims
Trim | Character | Choose It If |
|---|---|---|
3 | Mid-range sweet spot: automatic climate control, cruise control, heated front seats and steering wheel, reversing camera, touchscreen with sat-nav | You want comfort kit without moving to the top of the range |
X-Line S (2018–2024) | SUV-inspired styling with raised ride height and chunkier bumpers, plus similar comfort kit | You like a little SUV attitude |
GT-Line | Sportier look: 16-inch alloys, redesigned bumpers, red-stitched interior | Styling matters to you |
GT-Line S | Top of the range: wireless charger, keyless entry, electric sunroof, ambient lighting, blind-spot assist. Paired with the most powerful engine of its era | You want the full equipment list |
Full trim and engine tables are on our used Kia Picanto page.
What Is the Kia Picanto Like to Drive?
Around town: Light steering, compact dimensions and excellent visibility make parking and traffic effortless.
Handling: Good body control, respectable grip and an enjoyable drive on twisty roads.
Ride: The 16-inch wheels on GT-Line cars give a firmer, more planted feel that sporty drivers tend to enjoy.
Performance: The 1.0 is happiest around town, the 1.25 is a noticeable step up and the 1.0 T-GDi is a credible warm hatch.
Over distance: A stiffer body structure is a marked improvement over the previous Picanto on longer drives.
Does the Kia Picanto Suit You?
A Test-Drive Guide
Ask Yourself | Try This |
|---|---|
Does the driving position feel right? | Adjust the steering wheel (height-adjustable), seat and mirrors and see whether the position suits a long journey |
Is everything within easy reach? | Gear lever, touchscreen and steering-wheel controls from your normal seating position |
Does the infotainment match how you navigate? | Pair your phone and try your usual maps app (Bluetooth radio on trims 1 and 2; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on trim 3, X-Line, GT-Line and all 2024-on cars) |
Which gearbox feels more natural? | Try the manual and, on cars from 2020, the five-speed automatic transmission |
Does it carry your world? | Bring a pushchair, shopping or sports kit and see how it fits with the seats up and folded |
Is the seat count right? | Confirm with your local dealership that the layout suits your passengers |
Does parking feel easy? | Try a space like the one you use every day |
Is the ride to your taste? | Wheels run from 14 to 16 inches; try a route you know |
Does the engine suit your roads? | If dual carriageways are part of your week, try the car on one |
Your local Vertu dealership can arrange a test drive of the versions on your shortlist.
Kia Picanto vs Hyundai i10: Which City Car is Best for You?
Area | Kia Picanto | Hyundai i10 |
|---|---|---|
Boot (seats up) | 255 litres | 252 litres |
Boot (seats folded) | 1,010 litres | 1,050 litres |
New-car warranty | Seven years or 100,000 miles | Five years, unlimited mileage |
Current models compared. Cover remaining on a used car depends on its first registration date.
Modest annual mileage: The Picanto’s extra two years of cover may appeal.
Higher annual mileage: The i10’s unlimited-mileage cover may appeal.
Either way, drive both back to back to see which cabin, seating position and gearbox feels more natural. You can explore used Hyundai cars at Vertu too.
Running Costs and Ownership
Area | What to Expect |
|---|---|
Fuel economy | 1.0 returns around 50–55mpg in real-world driving; the 1.25 is broadly the same; the 1.0 T-GDi comfortably reaches the mid-forties |
Road tax | Low CO2 emissions across the range keep road tax low |
Insurance | Groups 1 to 11 depending on trim and engine, one of the lowest-cost cars in the UK to insure |
Servicing | Every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first |
Timing | All third-generation engines use a timing chain, so there is no cambelt replacement interval |
Warranty | Kia’s transferable seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty; many used cars still have cover remaining, and servicing with Vertu’s Kia-trained colleagues helps protect it |
Reliability | Named the most reliable model in Kia’s range in the What Car? Reliability Survey; 12th overall in the 2024 Carbuyer/Auto Express Driver Power survey, scoring highly for value for money, build quality and low running costs |
Vertu Verdict - Used Kia Picanto
The Picanto is ideally suited to anyone looking for a low-cost, fuss-free city car. It is a natural fit for new and younger drivers thanks to its rock-bottom insurance groups, light controls and compact dimensions.
It also makes an excellent second car for a household, a practical runabout for retirees, or a sensible first step onto the car-ownership ladder for those on a tight budget.
Backed by Kia’s seven-year warranty, strong reliability record and genuinely low running costs, the Picanto is one of the most sensible used buys in its class.
When you’re ready, browse the used Kia Picanto cars at Vertu or speak to your local dealership to arrange a test drive.
Kia Picanto: Frequently Asked Questions
What Insurance Group Is the Kia Picanto In?
Groups 1 to 11 depending on engine and trim, making the Picanto one of the lowest-cost cars in the UK to insure.
Version | Typical Groups |
Entry-level 1.0 | 1 to 4 |
Mid-range 1.25 | 6 to 8 |
1.0 T-GDi GT-Line and GT-Line S | 10 to 11 |
Which Oil Does a Kia Picanto Use?
Kia recommends 0W-20 fully synthetic oil for all third-generation engines. 5W-30 synthetic is an acceptable alternative. Your owner’s manual confirms the exact specification for your model year.
Engine | Service-Fill Capacity (Including Filter) |
1.0 MPI | Approximately 2.9–3.0 litres |
1.2 MPI | 3.5 litres |
1.0 T-GDi | 3.6 litres |
What Size Tyres Does a Kia Picanto Have?
It depends on trim and wheel size. The placard on the driver’s door frame or your owner’s manual confirms the right size for your car.
Wheel Size | Tyre | Typical Trims |
14-inch | 175/65 R14 | Trims 1 and 2 |
15-inch | 185/55 R15 | Trim 3 and X-Line |
16-inch | 195/45 R16 | GT-Line and GT-Line S |
Which Wiper Blades Fit a Kia Picanto?
Driver’s side: 24-inch (600mm)
Passenger side: 14-inch (350mm)
Rear: approximately 11-inch (275mm)
All use a standard hook fitting and can be fitted at home without tools.
Does the Kia Picanto Have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
On most versions, yes: trims 3, X-Line and GT-Line, and every Picanto from 2024. Earlier trims 1 and 2 have a radio with Bluetooth.
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