Kia Picanto: the five reasons it has sold 3 million units worldwide

In 2004 the Kia Picanto was launched, a small city car that set out to find its place on the city streets. A car that has managed to sell around 3 million units over its life. Of that figure, just over 90,000 units have reached the European market, and of those, 70,000 have been sold in Spain. These figures attest to the good health of a model that aims to remain one of the favourites worldwide.

But achieving that success requires hard work, and the designers of Kia have devoted themselves to offering a vehicle designed to be a good choice for urban drivers. These are some of the features that have made it a remarkable car and one chosen by everyone.

Design

The design of the Kia Picanto is intended to move around the city while offering space and reliability. It was created at Kia’s design centres in Namyang (Korea) and Frankfurt (Germany), blending the tastes of Korean and German buyers. Elements from a higher-segment car have been added, and it features many personalisation options. The GT-Line and X-Line versions offer the assertive look of a Kia, with the Tiger Nose grille, LED lights at the front and rear, and finishes that give it greater presence.

Interior space

It is rare for a car in this segment to offer 5 seats for interior comfort. The Picanto does, and also provides an interesting interior space thanks to its wheelbase, measuring 2.40 metres. The boot offers a capacity of 244 litres, with the option to fold down the rear seats and reach 1,010 litres of capacity.

Efficient engines and automated gearbox

The engine range is designed for city driving and features very low levels of polluting emissions such as CO2. The range consists of a 1.0-litre turbocharged T-GDi direct-injection petrol engine, producing 100 CV. It also includes two DPi double direct-injection engines of 1.0 and 1.2 litres producing 67 and 84 CV, respectively. The naturally aspirated engines can be fitted with the AMT automated manual gearbox, based on the five-speed manual, which can be specified on the GT-Line trim. It incorporates a clutch actuator and automated shifting to improve engine performance and offer greater ease of use.

Connectivity and safety

The Kia Picanto uses an 8-inch screen that showcases Kia’s UVO system. It offers Bluetooth connectivity and can pair two devices at the same time. It is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and features several functions to enhance the driving experience, such as parking guidance, weather information and others that can help drivers.

In addition, there are several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that are not usually found in cars of this size. These systems increase safety during journeys and make everything far more efficient.

Kia Picanto prices

The price of the Kia Picanto also helps explain its success in the market. The entry level is the Kia Picanto 1.0 DPi Concept, available from 9,250 euros. The GT Line versions start at 11,849 euros, and the Picanto X-Line 1.0 T-GDi, the most expensive in the range, costs 14,621 euros.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackKIA Picanto6 versions · from 18,385 €