Review of the Kia Picanto for sale in South Africa in 2021

Kia has brightened its Picanto range with the top model, the Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line. Read on further and find out more about this exciting new car.

What has changed with the Kia Picanto?1

Compared to its predecessors, the Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line, launched in February 2021, has changed looks considerably. It has unique LED front and rear lights, specifically designed bumpers, and expanded wheel arches to give it that sporty ‘muscular’ look. But there have also been physical alterations, such as raising ground clearance by 5 mm, allowing the Kia to negotiate more difficult places.

How does it perform? 1

Its compact size makes the Kia Picanto an ideal city car. Most city cars perform well under urban conditions, where speeds are low while coping with bad traffic, and the need to park is great. On the flip side, such cars, unfortunately, don’t perform well on the highway, which is much higher. However, this is not the case with the Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line, which was not put off by the higher speeds. Overtaking was a pleasure.

Details of its engine1

The Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line has a 1.25-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine that generates 61kW power and 122 Nm torque and is married to a 5-speed manual gearbox. If you wish to pay more, you can have the automatic derivative. Shifting the gears is done with great ease, which is just as well because considerable gear shifting is required to accommodate the engine.

Acceleration comes easy1

Due to its low kerb weight of 962 kg, it takes little effort for the Kia to shoot around the city. In addition, the engine doesn’t have to work so hard, resulting in great fuel economy. On the highway, the Kia achieved a striking 5.1 litres/100 km, considerably lower than the 6.4 litres/100 km quoted at its launch.

How does the Kia Picanto handle? 1

The car is stable on the road and is not challenged by strong crosswinds. Light and direct steering of the 1.2 X-Line make it a pleasure to drive, especially in the city. It manages the low speeds well, and parallel parking takes no effort. But should you struggle to park, a rear PDC and a reverse-view camera will significantly assist you. The 15-inch wheels are sufficient for handling most road conditions.

The Kia does not feel cheap1

Despite its price of R237 995 (as of March 2021), the car still provides a classy touch, and any engine or road noise has been well addressed.

Disclaimer

Because car insurance is complicated, this article can only provide general information. If you would like further information on car insurance, contact a registered financial service provider.

Sources:

1. 1. Kia Picanto X-Line (2021) Review