New KIA Picanto 2021: KIA's city car, now available from 9,200 euros

The update to the KIA Picanto is now available on the Spanish market. It is one of the best cars you can buy right now if you are looking for a city car. That said, just like its close relative, the new Hyundai i10, there are for the moment no versions available with an ECO label.

It may seem contradictory. But the reality is that, in cars of this segment, electrification takes longer to arrive, because margins are small and price is the decisive factor.

These cars already have very low consumption and emissions levels, so they do not need hybridisation to be exempt from registration tax. But the cost of fitting a micro-hybrid system would make the product more expensive.

In any case, the new model keeps intact all the arguments that have made the KIA Picanto one of the best city cars, enhancing and improving those areas where it could have fallen behind the competition.

Exterior and interior design: a fresher look, new screens

On the outside, the KIA Picanto 2021 stands out for the usual changes made in a restyling. They are small details, which are more evident in the GT-Line versions, which have a sportier character, and the X-Line, which has a clear SUV inspiration.

Both versions include redesigned headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, new bumpers… The X-Line includes details aimed at giving a sturdier look, while the GT-Line seeks a family resemblance with the sportier KIA models that carry this name.

The range now includes seven body colour combinations, with a new metallic grey. The wheels have been renewed, and can be 14-inch steel for the basic Concept trim, or 15- and 16-inch alloy wheels on the GT-Line and X-Line.

Inside, the main novelty is the 8-inch floating multimedia system screen (replacing the previous 7-inch one), as well as the option of digital instrumentation with a 4.2-inch display. Bluetooth is offered, along with compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The new generation of the UVO connectivity system also makes its debut, providing services such as real-time traffic information, points of interest, and the location of petrol stations with fuel prices, among others. The price of the UVO Connect Navigator, with parking assist camera, is 1,200 euros.

Three petrol engines, improved consumption

The mechanical range includes three petrol engines, all three-cylinder. The first two, designated DPI, are naturally aspirated: a 1.0 with 67 CV and a 1.2 with 84 CV, respectively. Compared with the previous engines, they now include improvements such as a new dual injection system (indirect), as well as more efficient cooling.

The third engine is the 1.0 T-GDi, with direct injection and a turbocharger, delivering 100 CV, which turns the Picanto into a true “mini GTI”, especially in GT-Line trim. With this engine, the Picanto accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h, with a combined consumption of just 5.2 l/100 km, sitting between the two naturally aspirated versions.

Another mechanical novelty is the arrival of the AMT automated manual gearbox, offered on the two less powerful engines as an alternative to the manual gearbox, for about 900 euros. It does not significantly increase consumption, which goes from 5.1 to 5.3 on the 1.0 DPI, and from 5.3 to 5.5 on the 1.2. But it does come with a loss in performance, with more than two seconds lost in the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration.

Equipment, range and prices of the new KIA Picanto

Combining the three engines with the Concept, GT-Line and X-Line trims results in a range with the following versions. Prices already include the brand discount, which is 1,050 euros for the 1.0 Concept and 750 euros for the rest, and the finance discount, which amounts to 1,400 euros across the whole range, and 1,720 euros on the basic version.

KIA Picanto range prices with discounts

• 1.0 DPI Concept: 9,200 euros
• 1.0 DPI GT-Line: 10,285 euros
• 1.0 DPI AMT GT-Line: 12,650 euros
• 1.2 DPI GT-Line: 12,250 euros
• 1.2 DPI AMT GT-Line: 13,150 euros
• 1.0 T-GDI GT-Line: 13,650 euros
• 1.0 T-GDI X-Line: 13,950 euros

The Concept versions already come with air conditioning, light sensor, Bluetooth, six airbags and heated electric mirrors. The GT-Line adds alloy wheels of 15 inches, front collision braking assist, climate control, cruise control, fog lights and sporty design details. The X-Line adds specific upholstery, rear parking sensors and a suspension raised 15 millimetres.

New safety equipment across the range includes the arrival of a front collision avoidance system, with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

New KIA Picanto 2021 image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackKIA Picanto6 versions · from 18,385 €