Is the Kia Picanto the forgotten gem of the small car world? | ReDriven used car review

Cheap and cheerful. Few motoring nameplates fit the bill quite as neatly as the Kia Picanto.

The Korean marque’s smallest and cheapest model arrived in Oz in third-generation guise in 2017.
For such a small package there’s a lot to like. The is a struggler on the open road, but its tuned-for-Oz suspension packages are fit and fun, appointments are thoroughly modern for the sort of money Picanto commands on the used market, and they’re all still covered by Kia’s long factory warranty.

What do you look for and what’s to avoid? Check out the full video and let us know if we missed anything!

00:00​​​​​​​ - Intro
01:12 - What is it?
02:51 - Does it look good?
04:36 - How's the interior?
06:19 - How's the tech?
07:01 - Is it practical?
08:00 - What goes wrong?
10:08 - Is it safe?
10:45​ - What's it like to drive?
12:51 - How much is it?
13:32​​​​​​ - Fuel use, warranty & servicing
13:59 - Should you buy it?

#kia
#picanto
#redriven

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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.

Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.

Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.

So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.

We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.

Find us on:

[ThAnthr]

My girlfriend bought a GT-line in white just like the shown when it was new back in 2017 with every extra option available, except sun roof. So after almost 8 years let me tell you what broke so far: One park distance sensor. The Kia dealership replaced all 3 as warranty two years ago. Nothing else. Annual service and the 2 front tires got replaced last year. Thats it. What an incredibly reliable car.

[alanngli]

Dusk sensing wipers? I know I might cry looking at a beautiful sunset, but I didn’t know the Picanto is that emotional too.

[pianistsdream]

We bought a new one three years ago. Here in the EU we also get auto airco and heated seats etc. We drive every year to the south of france (1200 kms) and happily cruise at 140/150, so it is not just a city car. We love it and are about to order a new one. A great car!!!!

[keanutax]

I love to see the succes of this channel. For me it stands out because it's not about all the latest and greatest tech and the newest version of expensive German cars, instead it's about cars that have been around for a while, cars more people will probably consider buying. Good job and nicely done on selling your handy cheat sheets. Oh no that's right they are for free, how amazing!!!

[ashc]

Just bought a Picanto to use as a cheap commuter but I’ve grown to love it! Fantastic little car and is a joy to drive in manual form.

[andyhowlett]

We've owned a Mk3 1.0L Turbo for over 3 years and it's a great little car. It's not going to set the road on fire (0 - 60 in 9.9) but it is considerably quicker than most other small cars available here in the UK. It feels solid and is good fun to drive and so far we have had no trouble. It'll do 60 mpg on a m'way run as long as I take it easy.

[dyanichristie]

I’ve had a 2019 Kia Picanto GT line for 2 1/2 years not and it’s absolutely amazing. Super fuel efficient and great to drive!! Also easy to keep clean bc it’s little 😂

[anthonygrimshaw]

Such a great review, open honest, tonnes of humour, best car review we have see by far of the Picanto's, and we have watched a lot...

[YoureNowOnTV]

What an ingenious idea for a motoring channel! Thank you for answering questions for people that would require hours of research to find. Legends!

[markaustralia]

Having driven 1960's Mini's I understand the fun of driving small hot hatches... loved this review but my comment is about the rear legroom with the front seat in your ideal driving position ... I would suggest that on the rare occasions you might have more than one passenger in the front seat that it is possible to create more rear legroom for that 0.01% of the time

[TOPDCK]

Really appreciate seeing South Africa included in the international pricing🤝

[Veezyjung]

I bought a brand new GT with a manual gearbox and am waiting for it to arrive, so I'm happy to see that this thing seems to be getting good reviews all round. I wasn't expecting to get a track ready car, but a nice little daily driver that turns into a pocket rocket when you down shift. I test drove the GT Line with the 1.2L inline four with an auto gearbox, and it was a bit lacklustre, which is why I went for the 1L turbo three banger with a manual. Can't wait to receive my car and take it onto a windy mountain road.

[michaelbourke]

just what every car needs, "dusk sensing wipers", does it also have rain sensing lights? Another entertaining re-review :-)

[johnhele]

Purchased a new 2021 Picanto GT Line in auto, not a lot of power but gets all the fundamentals right. Great for general running around, looked briefly at a Suzuki Ignis glx but it just didn’t tick enough boxes, new car drive away for $20k, wait time for the picanto ordering new in 2021 was 6 to 8 weeks.

[jamiefrangos]

Bought the base S model (1.2 auto)BRAND NEW in late 2017.
Six airbags, cruise control, electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with forward collision warning, hill start assist, anti-lock brakes, four-wheel disc brakes.
It now the sixth year of ownership and has 56, 000km on the clock WITH zero issues. (only battery and tyres replaced) It was $15, 750 AUD and they had a discount of $750 for 1 week.
So out the door at $15, 000 inclusive of 12 months rego and 7 years road side assist and capped servicing costs. Expect 10 years from it and should be around 100-110, 00klm at which point will be the perfect car for my son getting his licence.
Run the $numbers...that's value right there. (With safety)

[ozhelendee]

I have a 2020 GT line & love it. Purchased new. Its so much easier than most small/micro cars to get in & out of. Yes I am a Senior & 5'8". I live on Sunshine Coast QLD & there are a lot of traffic lights & some hills. I have found the car performs better on 98 fuel for the steep hills and hill starts. I have done a couple of long road trips. one from Sunny Coast to Albury & big mistake because of floods went via Newell Hwy. Yes it was stressful because of the potholes however it survived really well. returned to Qld via Hume & Pacific HWY & it was great as it did the steep hills North & south of Sydney really well. & was the sole occupant with some luggage. The other trip was to Coffs Harbour with 2 people plus 2weeks of luggage. it did great again. Yes cabin noise can be annoying, am thinking of trying different tyres when I need to renew. Not expecting a huge change though. I get about 6.5Ltrs local driving, got about 5.5 to 6ltr on long trips. I used to own a Impreza then a 2012 Forrester so yes I had been spoiled but am more than happy with my downsizer.

[Beermug]

Got a 1.0 turbocanto throttle box and a chip tuning its a real pocket rocket, love it to bits....and it can leagaly fit 5 persons.👍..not many cars that size that can do that...power to the Canto's 🤪👍

[TheAthavanleon]

Love small cars man.. They are awesome. Just cool tool that is been used by many.

[PlattLaneEnd]

As a whinging pom, I love watching anything Australian. Funny, down to earth and no nonsense!

[fanBladeOne]

"Crap and shit down there", "More bits and pieces" 🤣 Like I'm watching a Rick-and-Morty commercial