29-07-2018:
Report of poor response to accelerator pedal in new Kia Picanto S Line 1.25 at between 3,000-4,000rpm. No problem with cruise control bringing car up to speed, but very sluggish using the pedal. There is probably something wrong with the 'potentiometer' accelerator switch. The car has a 'drive by wire system' that makes an electrical connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body.
06-10-2019:
Various complaints about 2017/67 KIA Picanto. Throttle control potentiometer replaced at first service. C lutch judder, worse in wet, cold weather, reversing uphill into a parking slot. Dealer has tested and does not acknowledge. Screen washers blocked. Dealer’s stance was that was owner's way of using the washers and/or wrong additive that was causing blockage. They cleared it, refilled with their “Car Plan Orange”, sold owner a bottle and fitted more generous nozzles.
08-11-2019:
Complaint of clutch judder first thing in the morning in 2018 KIA Picanto X-Line 1.25. Goes away after 5 minutes driving.
01-01-2020:
Rattle in front passenger area of new KIA Picanto 1 found to come from loose unused wiring connection block banging against a body part. Easily fixed by straightening and moving the wiring and block.
06-01-2020:
Another rattle reported behind the dash of a 2019 Hyundai i10, probably for the same reason as the KIA Picanto (above).
08-02-2021:
Kia Picanto reported to have had both front suspension springs replaced under warranty.
January 2017
Kia revealed first images of all-new Picanto
A 15mm-longer wheelbase (2,385 mm to 2,400 mm) also pushes the wheels further out into each corner for a more confident appearance. The Picanto’s colour range is more vibrant than ever, with a range of bold paint colours designed to make the car stand out.
Inside, Picanto’s suite of high-tech comfort, convenience and safety features is underscored by a modern and refined new cabin design. At the heart of the cabin is a new ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system, making the latest in-car technology available to occupants. here is just about enough room inside for four average height passengers, but 6 footers will have trouble sitting behing each other. There is a proper well for a full sized spare wheel.
Buyers of the all-new Picanto will enjoy smarter packaging efficiency than ever before, with more cabin and cargo space than rivals in the segment. In spite of its extended wheelbase, the Picanto retains its characteristically compact dimensions.
Inside, the 2017 Kia Picanto's high-quality, high-tech cabin features a ‘floating’ 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. New in-car technologies and connectivity features including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a wireless smartphone charger. The new model also offers buyers greater potential for customisation than ever before, with 11 exterior paint colours and a range of interior colour packs for buyers to choose from.
April 2017
Prices announced for 2017 Kia Picanto
Picanto ‘1’ 69HP 5-speed manual £9,450
Picanto ‘2’ 69HP 5-speed manual £10,750
Picanto ‘2’ 85HP 5-speed manual £11,250
Picanto ‘2’ 85HP 4-speed torque converter auto £11,900
Picanto ‘GT-Line’ 66HP 5-speed manual £11,950
Picanto ‘GT-Line’ 83HP 5-speed manual £12,450
Picanto ‘3’ 85HP 5-speed manual £12,650
Picanto ‘3’ 85HP 4-speed torque converter auto £13,300
Picanto ‘GT-Line S’ 85HP 5-speed manual £13,950
September 2017
Picanto X-Line revealed
The rugged design is highlighted by contrast colour packs and raised ground clearance (to 156mm, 15mm higher than the standard Picanto), which also gives the driver a clearer view of the road ahead. The new derivative benefits from Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, making it the most powerful Picanto ever.
The all-new Picanto X-Line is powered by Kia’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI engine. Previously only available in the cee’d model family and new Rio, the lightweight, compact new engine is available with a Picanto variant for the first time.
The 1.0-litre T-GDI engine produces 100PS and 172Nm torque. The new 1.0-litre T-GDi engine is also being introduced to the sports-inspired Picanto GT-Line, with identical performance and power and torque outputs.
February 2018
Kia Picanto X-Line now in UK with Picanto X-Line 1.25 priced at £12,595 on the road.
July 2018
Picanto 1.0 T-GDi launched
The new engine develops 99bhp and 171Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Picanto ever. It can accelerate to 60mph in just 9.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 112mph.
The latest engine to join the Picanto range is available exclusively in ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ grades and further broadens the appeal of Kia’s city car. Larger sports bumpers and red highlights within the upper grille, side air intakes and side sills deliver a sporting edge, with the dynamic look completed by a rear diffuser, twin exhaust tailpipes and 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres.
Bi-function projection headlights deliver a racier look, alongside LED daytime running lights at the front and LED lamps at the rear. Inside, the sporty appearance continues with black and red faux leather upholstery, stainless-steel pedals and satin chrome interior door handles.
‘GT-Line S’ models also feature an electric sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, a smart key with engine start/stop button and cruise control with speed limiter, while satellite navigation, Kia Connected Services with TomTom and a wireless mobile phone charger are also standard.
Prices start at £13,320 for the ‘GT-Line’ model, with the 'GT-Line S’ version costing £14,720. The new powerplant already exceeds the latest Euro 6d TEMP emissions regulations, with CO 2 emissions of 117g/km and a combined fuel economy figure of 55.4mpg.
The T-GDi engine accelerates the Picanto from standstill to 60mph in 9.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 112mph. The new engine exceeds the latest Euro 6d TEMP emissions regulations, with CO2 emissions of 117g/km and a combined fuel economy figure of 55.4mpg.
January 2019
Picanto Wave special edition revealed
Said to be inspired by sunny beaches and blue skies, a new Picanto special edition is now on sale called the Picanto Wave. Powered by the 1.0-litre petrol engine, developing 66PS at 5,500rpm and 96Nm torque at 3,500rpm, the Picanto Wave is finished in Celestial Blue premium paintwork with blue Denim-style cloth and faux leather upholstery.
Standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, privacy glass for the rear windows and tailgate, a reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines, a six-speaker audio system with 7.0-inch touchscreen display with RDS and DAB radio, Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM with voice control and a wireless mobile phone charger. In addition, there are white accents to the lower centre console trim, air vents and door armrest, together with satin chrome interior door handles and a centre console that features a storage box and sliding armrest.
The Picanto Wave costs £11,895 and has a five-speed manual transmission. Its combined fuel economy is 49.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 115g/km. Acceleration to 60mph is achieved in 13.8 seconds, with a top speed of 100mph.
October 2019
Updates for 2020 Kia Picanto
The Picanto now features Integrated Stop & Go (ISG) on all vehicles equipped with a manual gearbox. At the same time, the Picanto 1.0-litre now features four-seats, in place of the previous five-seat arrangement, and the entry-level model gets a style upgrade with a new design of wheel trims for the ‘1’ grade.
January 2020
Kia Picanto Zest special edition announced
Priced from £12,650 and features bold Lime Light premium metallic paint as standard. Power comes from the entry-level 67PS 1.0-litre petrol engine combined with a five-speed manual gearbox.
Further standard kit includes 15-inch alloy wheels, grey faux-leather seats and a reversing camera. LED daytime running lights and rear lights are also included, as is rear privacy glass. The inside features black high-gloss trim and a seven-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
June 2020
Updated Kia Picanto launching in the third quarter of 2020
The facelifted Kia Picanto line-up uses the same 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines as the outgoing model, but both have been updated to meet the latest WLTP CO2 emissions regulations. Updates include a new engine management system, a revised fuel injection system and improved exhaust gas recirculation lines.
The 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine offers 67PS and 96Nm of torque, while the 1.2-litre four-cylinder has an output of 84PS and 122Nm of torque. Kia says changes to both engines improve their fuel efficiency, but haven't published any mpg figures for the 2020 Picanto.
At the top of the Picanto line-up sits a revised version of the city car's turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit, which produces 100PS and 172Nm of torque and can switch between different combustion cycles depending on the driving situation.
All three engines come fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox - with a five-speed automatic gearbox available as an optional extra. In terms of safety updates, the 2020 Picanto will offer automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blindspot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and a driver attention warning.
Inside, the Volkswagen Up rival has a new 4.2-inch digital dashboard and an eight-inch infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers also have a choice of either cloth or faux-leather seat upholstery and a range of interior colour packs - lime, orange, red and green.
October 2020
Updated Kia Picanto priced from £10,745
The updated Kia Picanto has gone on sale today with a new automated manual transmission and new Smartstream engines.
The Picanto is Kia’s smallest model and its revised looks make it appear chunkier than the outgoing car – high-end GT-Line and X-Line models get a textured grille and red or black highlights to help them stand out from the range's lower reaches. Revised rear LEDs complete the look, you can choose from eight paint finishes and alloy wheels 14-16 inches in size.
Inside, ’3’ models and upwards get a larger infotainment screen – up from seven to eight inches – and it can connect wirelessly to two phones, not one as before.
It’s a fully connected system giving you live traffic updates and fuel prices, as well as allowing you to connect to the car remotely using Kia's UVO app to check things like the car's location or to set a postcode in the sat-nav before you set off. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also fitted so you can mirror your phone's apps on the car’s big screen.
Engines have also been improved. The Picanto's offered with two petrols – a 99PS 1.0-litre with a turbocharger or a 66PS 1.0-litre without. All but basic ‘1’ models have a five-speed manual gearbox that can be swapped for a five-speed automated manual.
Safety has also been boosted with ‘2’ models and upwards coming with an automatic emergency braking system that can detect people as well as cars. All models get seven-airbags including an airbag for your knees.
The new range is priced from £10,745 for a 66PS Picanto ‘1’ rising to £15,795 for a top-of-the-range 99PS GT-Line S model.
December 2021
Kia Picanto Shadow special edition announced
Kia UK has revealed the Kia Picanto Shadow, a special edition model now available to order from Kia dealers and priced from £13,845 on-the-road.
For £895 more than the equivalent ‘2’ model, the Kia Picanto Shadow features 15-inch alloy wheels (up from 14-inch alloys), privacy glass, LED daytime running lights and bi-function projection headlamps, rear LED lights and front fog lamps. The body is also finished in premium Astro Grey metallic paint.
Inside, the Shadow features a six-speaker audio system, 8.0-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a centre console storage box with sliding armrest, and a reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines. Furthermore, the black cloth upholstery from the ‘2’ is replaced with exclusive new black faux leather upholstery with light grey stitching.
The Picanto Shadow is powered by Kia’s popular 1.0-litre DPi (Dual-Port injection) petrol engine, producing 66bhp and paired with a five-speed manual transmission.