2024 Kia Picanto Sport Review | Polished city-car is more than just Australia’s cheapest new vehicle

Aussies continue to buy SUVs in unprecedented numbers, but it’s the humble micro-car that remains the unsung hero for first-car buyers and downsizers alike.

But while they’re affordable, economical and – in this instance – fun to drive, micro-cars are an endangered species in Australia, where just two remain on sale if you count the Fiat 500, its hotter Abarth 695 derivatives and the all-new battery-electric Fiat 500e as one model.

The other is the Kia Picanto, a well-equipped five-door, five-seat hatchback that punches well above its weight – especially in Sport form, as tested here – and will soon be the only new vehicle available in Australia priced from under $20,000, once the aged MG3 is replaced by a pricier new hybrid model.

At just $17,890 plus on-road costs in manual form, the Kia Picanto Sport is also the cheapest new car money can buy today – but it’s far from the worst, as Nadine Armstrong discovers here.

Fast Forward
00:00 Intro
00:46 Pricing and specs
02:02 Interior review
03:14 Infotainment & safety
03:53 Passenger space
04:32 Luggage space
05:00 On the road
06:45 Verdict

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[Denistone]

The more the Picanto ages, the more I admire it, as all its cheap, fun, lightweight rivals disappear.

[Denistone]

I don’t understand why digital gauges are seen as an improvement over traditional analogue gauges. Like a wrist watch, I’d prefer analogue for legibility and style.

[letsseeif]

We just ordered a Sport Picanto because although we have plenty of money we just wanted a comfortable ride with the fat tyres as a second car as it's mainly for shopping and a city A to B and the occasional short trip. We've got it now, and 'the lane centering' makes driving a dream.

[wrigzzx]

Honestly, you see these on the road and wonder how they can be so cheap particularly in GT-Line. Really think there should be a 1.0 turbo available though

[zarapestcontrolandcleaning]

Minimalist interior is fine less cluttered but that dark interior makes the car feel so claustrophobic

[DyslexicWorkersUntie]

You mentioned the rear doors, good for ingress/egress? Do they open 90 degrees? why not open them to demonstrate.
Sorry how tall are you..? 5'1'?, 5'7? Trying determine if i can fit teenagers in back.

[rimloch]

For a tiny car, $3069 divided by 7 years would be an average of $438 per service, i agree that's very high co$t

[NSW]

Is the Suzuki Ignis in the same micro-car class ?

[egl]

I really wanted to get a picanto but my 6'2 partner didn't fit unfortunately

[electro_sykes]

my parents said they will give me their 2018 kia picanto

[stevenhicks]

Gutless!! No turbo…old gt line s is much better with 16 inch alloys

[wolfgang]

Kia should be taken to court for omitting 360 cameras in 2024

[Paul-fvno]

Ridiculously high service costs for a car of this size.