Yank here - the greatest compliment I can give you (James) is that - because I’m watching so much of your content - I sometimes forget what side of the road I’m supposed to drive on. ❤️
We just picked up a 2019 GT-line late last year for the wife. Its awsome and the heated seats and steeringwheel work great even in Swedish winters. I had some alterior motives tho and took it out in a local autocross a few weeks ago and it was great fun, not fast (although that could be the driver) but really enjoyable and tossable.
I absolutely love this type of car. Small, unpretentious, unassuming, and endlessly entertaining without making a song & dance of everything. It's absolutely perfect. I love the yellow too. If I was in the market for a new small car, this would be the one I'd choose. People used to laugh at Kia, but the joke is now on anybody who pays more for a badge and ends up with something only half as good. From small acorns with the 1990s Pride, Kia is now well and truly at the top of it's game.
@@goldenretriever6261 Sadly we're heading in the same direction in the UK. Most of the new cars available are now SUV's, and even the 'small' SUV's are too big for us. There are very few decent, quick small hatches like the Picanto GTi, as most manufacturers think that anyone who wants a small car will settle for bottom-dollar performance and cheap build quality.
Huge advocate of Kia/Hyundai and their new cars (I own one now)… but as an ex Up GTI owner I just wouldn’t consider this. The appeal of the GTI for me at least was the simplicity of it. Manual box, light, nice (admittedly fake) exhaust noise, no fancy tech, good performance and a hilarious bit of kit. That was the appeal!
Hi from Tasmania, Australia. I love this car. It's everything I like. Small, light, nimble and fun to drive in a very non threatening way. I love the fact that you can enjoy a thoroughly inexpensive little car like this and point out all of its great features, for the price. Especially as you drive so many cars at the opposite end of the spectrum. You are one of the best, most honest, knowledgeable and impartial reviewers on RU-vid. Brilliant work.
Great video as always and agree with everything you say about the Picanto - but just a bit surprised you made no mention of it's cousin the Hyundai i10 N-Line - that would make for a very interesting comparison.
Keep doing these videos as you always do them James they are always entertaining also kia has been doing very well the last 5 or so years its amazing to see how much theyve progressed with hyundai
I have a Kia Niro at present which I am changing mid march for a Kia Picanto x line s, this will be my second Kia, love them they are well finished, reliable and great warranty
Kia are a car manufacturer I want to see succeed. I really respect their honesty and the faith they put I their products, offering a 7 year warranty on all their vehicles. I believe the car-per-£ ratio is better than any other manufacturer, without a doubt. There's no shame in driving a Kia whatsoever. Kudos to their drivers. 👍😎👌
Really fabulous review. As a driver of a VW Up! TSI and under the impression that this had no direct competitors, this car is now well and truly on my radar. My local dealer has one in stock so I'm off for a test drive :)
Thanks for raising awareness of this, I didn’t know it existed. We’ve just bought one having also considered an Up GTi, after seeing your review. What a great car it is.
James it is funny how prices vary around the world. Here in New Zealand I bought a Suzuki Swift Sport with almost the same features and much more powerful engine for just under £15000? Probably not as well finished inside as the Kia but very frugal and rapid. Love seeing you looking at the market sector which is about the amount many can afford.
Hi James. I’m old enough to remember when Daihatsu launched the Charade GTti back in the mid 80s. I was in my teens at the time and was excited by the press cars (all in white) that seemed to offer a great value, more reliable alternative to the mainstream Fiesta, 205 et al. The formula was similar to this Picanto - 1.0l, 3 cylinder turbo kicking out 100hp (massive at the time) which combined with lower weight than a modern car (due to lack of gadgets and safety features) made it an absolute riot to drive (apparently). Maybe if you could get your hands on one of those to drive, it would in some way be a bizarre direct comparison. Happy hunting. I’d like to see your new millennium take on one 👍
Happy to be corrected...believe from both the badging and the lack of the electric glass sunroof, the car you have there is the non-S, GT-Line. I had a black MKI Picanto 54 plate SE (top trim level), 1.1, 64bhp, 119g/km £30pa road tax, air-con, alloys, 4 electric windows, remote locking, 4 wheel disc brakes, electric mirrors, front fog lights, radio/CD, mid-40's MPG, just fantastic value, reliable and low running costs. New cost £7,220, with inflation today that would be £12,200...car inflation...
Kia's are the cars of people who know that image is second to value, the stinger GT would've sold in crazy numbers if more buyers weren't so vain about badges
A Thai speaker would definitely appreciate that registration. 5 is "hah", so 555 is essentially the Thai equivalent of LOL . . . and from your review, it seems fittling for a fun small car :)
If I could ever afford to do it, I could easily see myself buying one of these sort of cars as a second car, purely to have fun in (this, an i10, up!, swift etc). Wouldn't cost me much to run, yet could help put a smile on my face every day. I had a Mk2 Picanto for 4 years as my first car, and I already miss it. I've recently upgraded to a 2019 Rio, and whilst the Rio is better in every single way, it doesn't make me smile like the Picanto did.
It's great to see a car reviewer drive and describe the experience of down to earth car in a down to earth way, Except when comically comparing it to super cars. Can you try out a Hyundai Getz?
Great video great car. We have a Viva SL for our second car bought it four years ago for £8400 value today £8400 that’s what I’ve been offered but the car has only done 5700 miles does 41 mpg around town another Korean wonder car great value too. Would agree the Kia has more kit and excitement. Funny when I mention the Viva people think I have the sixties classic! Vauxhall don’t have a city car now and price for the Corsa starts at £17,000.
Mazda 2 would be my go-to for a decent small car that comes packed with extras at the price point. Former Mazda 6 owner before getting a Polestar 2 and I am looking for a small 2nd car. Narrowed it to the Kia Pica to or Mazda 2 at the moment. Mazda are just so good to drive as well.
my picanto has definately served med well, kept me safe whether it was drunkie rear ending me, a deer smashing the right side, or an angry bull smashing up the entire front/left side. still 8yrs in, getting +20km/litre. Even though a hustler mechanic didnt change oil/filters for 4 years its still perfectly running, still on first clutch, and starte/alternator. seemingly indestructible build. And for 1/5th of an EV. its hard to see why i should change her out. (xept maybe for a newer model) 😘😂
Will be interesting to see, like the fiesta eco boost, what upping the turbo pressure could do for this. A small increase to get up to 105bhp could give it a tad more pep
Cars are passion and reason, like a horse in the prehistory of the individual freedom. Reason, as to me, isn't electric mobility, even with the bespoke arguments around global warming and so on. It is to address a real problem with a transition to nowhere: they can provide a better atmosphere in an urban context and are congruent for the very wealthy, not at all bothered by cost, weight and range. Moreover, what's the cost of electricity to be? Go till the end of the guarantee and feel rewarded by the real costs of ownership. Yes, petrol will be there for much more than a while... Very good (and subtly passioned) advice, in my opinion. Thanks!
I suppose it's so direct that it's almost silly to "compare" with, but in truth I have zero experience of it so wouldn't want to comment and get something hideously wrong by way of assumption
In some asia countries, the competitor of this car is Honda Brio. Its also pretty fun car for the price, but too bad the build quality sucks. In my country, Kia Picanto beat this car with similar price.
My boss didn't want me riding to work on my motorbike and said you can pick any car up to 25k AUD to have as a car yo come to work in. I picked a polo... the most basic boggo spec which I absolutely love, we even put a roof rack on and go camping with the dog! Never use our other cars now. That being said..... I'm absolutely gutted I didn't know these existed
Good review as always fella. Before the Up GTi came out I bought the tsi and specced sports suspension . It's only 90 bhp but boy is it good fun . Love it . The Kia sounds very similar in performance and agility although 8n my own opinion i do think the Up is a better-looking car especially from the front . Kia really have upped their game recently and good luck to them because they offer great cars at a good price -point . Cheers 👊
@@Ssh52 I don't really like the up gti doesn't it seem as nice to me. As far as I recall the mk1 golf gti was pretty advanced for the time compact, great handling, light and decently powerful. The up gti doesn't have disc brakes which sounds bizzare to me. I was never sure about the looks either.
I saw a used Up! GTI for sale near where I live: £15,990!!!! I swear when I was looking at getting a new one 4 years ago it was £13,000 with options on it! There must be cars in the £10,000 to £16,000 price range now worth more used than new a couple of years ago?
I just hope this little beauty doesn’t have Kia/Hyundai’s problematic GDI Gamma engine… Wonder how this would have done in the old Top Gear Chernobyl challenge…
Is this the same company that makes all those cars that burst into flames without warning? I can't pay attention to anyone regarding advising purchase of any KIA or Hyundai.
its an almost annoying car in the sense its a goody two shoes....soooo capable. like a bmw 5 series eg. it loos great sooo high quality. infotainment. refinement........Almost over engineerd like an old lexus ls or merc s class or a vw golf 5 series etc....U can go to the ritz, take it to schoolrun, walk the doggies in the beach, ie runaround, socails occasions, turn up to a monor and NOT LOOK OUTTA PLACE. classless classy car. One of kias very finest and elite products. In that trim and that colour and in my eyes the sun shines out of its tailpipes so to speak.
the swift is a lot more expensive here, and they use 1.4L engine, so it's not comparable. the swift offers a much more "sportier" drive and stability. I'd went for swift but the price range is not comparable.
Hello , First of all great review ! I want to ask a question. I want to buy the kia picanto gt line with the 1.2L and 84 horsepower engine,5 gears speed. At my local kia dealer I can pick up the Auto version which is ready to be delivered . If I want the manual I need to wait up to 3 months and probably more . Which is better in long-term view . Is the auto gearbox problematic etc.;
if you live in central city where traffic is always crowded, go for the automatic one. maintenance wise it's not too different, although the manual is easier since it has less parts, so less point of failure.
The EV argument ....i completely disagree. My E-UP gets the equivalent of 260mpg ...while flooring it everywhere. It's 3 yrs old and i can sell it for 2000euros more,so that argument that technology is advancing fast and EVs will devalue is nonsense. Also don't regular cars get better and better every year?so why "wait" for EVs to get better? They will always get better,just like combustion cars did for decades.
James, I watch the channel to hear you talk about the cars….you are seriously entertaining and very informative. Don’t change-your content is awesome! But that was a pretty funny way to start the video.
I've been really impressed with Kia's of late, the proceed I just reviewed was packed with kit even at the base model, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to a week with the new Sportage next month. I would say potentially the Ibiza FR is an alternative to this despite being more fiesta sized, but I think the Kia definitely provides the best value. Such extremely low running costs, but fun because you can wring it out!
It really is genuinely fun to drive haha. I drove a base auto picanto and enjoyed it. Even coming from my 130i. So a manual turbo version would be even better again.
Three cylinders and below is motorcycle territory though. Unacceptable. Buuut I'd still want one. Or a SUZUKI Swift Sport of course. As long as it's yellow.
After I went kia with my latest car (2019 rio 3 1 litre turbo) I won't go anywhere else now. I haven't got a single complaint. It was affordable, the quality is amazing, the engine is actually very good fun and very efficient. It even gets 70 mpg at 80mph (I mean 69.5mph) on the motorway.
Woe betide those who wrote off Kia from their car shopping list these days. Yes in the past Kia and Hyundai are quite dodgy, but my word they are very good nowadays. Also, if I have to buy my first car I think I'd put second-hand 2014 Kia Picanto on my list.
I remember when I started driving, I thought it would be a brilliant idea if manufacturers detached the styling and features of a car from the performance. It tended to be a case of, you buy lower performance car, you get less interesting styling and lower rent interior. If you want a plush fully loaded interior and sporty styling, you had to upgrade engine-wise at the same time. Thankfully, in more recent times, many manufacturers have cottoned on to this with their trim levels. OK, so the Picanto does get an engine boost, but it's modest.
As good as the Kia is, one thing you missed from the equation is personality. The Up gti has it in spades. The economy in the Up gti is also far better even thrashing it we get 45 mpg. Driving sensibly easily sees 60-65 mpg. These are big mpg differences. Let's also not forget about future retained values.
While looks are a personal preference, the Up! looks better too in my opinion. I might be biased though, I have Tungsten Silver Up! GTI since they were first realised back in 2018 ;)
@@asifnoaman8978 This segment no doubt is a very dangerous to drive. I struggle to see a car this size to survive all sorts of potential accidents. If you care for safety I think you should buy the next segment up.
@@asifnoaman8978 bollocks. It had a 5 star rating. It has been lowered to 3 now due to not scoring well in pedestrian safety which takes more precedence nowadays (and rightly so). So it’s far from a death trap. Many larger vehicles such as SUVs score worse. Worse for both pedestrian safety due to their size/weight and for their occupants due them more likely to roll in a crash (height centre of gravity).
I see you mentioned this has disc brakes all round, however that’s not necessarily the best option. Drum brakes generally have a much stronger initial bite than discs, making them great for handbrake turns.
Drums aren't good for Brake-based Torque Vectoring. The Picanto uses all wheel discs for brake vectoring, which greatly aids stability and traction when cornering at speed.
We have a 2018 Kia Picanto GT Line S, had it from nearly new. Initially bought it for the school runs etc, but.... I absolutely love the thing, I build and drive rally cars for a living and have driven many quick cars, but this thing is just so much more fun than somthing with 4x the power and price tag. It's a car that you can actually use to it's full (ish) capabilities sensibly without loosing your licence and at the same time having a lot of fun. We will definitely be trading this one in for a brand new one (my Subaru barely gets used in favour of the Kia now 🙂)
More fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slow, more fun thrashing a cheap car now, than waxing an expensive car for the show. Who knew? I'm guessing you knew!
@@khelgarironfist3301 the front lip spoiler has made contact with the road (maybe after a little yump or two...) but it doesn't have any problems with speed bumps etc.
I have a 2019 Picanto GT Line Turbo, which misses out on a couple of bells and whistles like the heated seats and steering wheel, but apart from that it is pretty much the same. I absolutely love it and it packs a decent punch without being very fast. I just purchased 2 years servicing including it's first MOT for only £369. I can't think of another car that brings so much fun for so little money.
@@khelgarironfist3301 It is obviously a city car so you can't expect much. But I had to drive offroad in mine and it handled it beautifully. Except the tyres of course.
Yea, I 've bought the Hyundai, and it 's slightly bigger, nicer looks, maybe a tad slower, but as I'm also a little bit taller it fits better and gives you more trunk capacity, on the other hand only 5 yr. warrant.
