Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Kia Picanto

What's on this page

Kia Picanto Review, Colours, For Sale, Interior & News in Australia

The Kia Picanto sits below the Rio as Kia's smallest (and cheapest) offering in Australia.

Competing against the Fiat 500 and Mitsubishi Mirage in size as well as the bigger MG3 in price, the South Korean sub-B supermini is available in base S, sporty GT-Line and rorty GT Turbo. The cheapest grade starts from $17,890, rising to $21,290 for the most expensive version.

The first Picanto released in Australia was the last of the TA series, launched here in early 2016 but internationally five years earlier. It only lasted a little over a year, replaced by the third-generation model, the JA, in 2017.

The Picanto is also known as the Kia Morning, Kia EuroStar, Naza Suria, Naza Picanto internationally, with the line commencing as a European-focused city car back with 2004's SA series.

Kia Picanto Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Kia Picanto varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $17,890 and going to $21,290 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2024 Hatchback 1.2L, —, 5 SP MAN $17,890 $21,290
2023 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $13,090 $22,330
2022 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $12,870 $22,000
2021 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $11,550 $21,560
2020 Hatchback 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $10,010 $19,030
See All Kia Picanto Pricing and Specs

Kia Picanto Colours

  • Aurora Black
  • Clear White
  • Signal Red
  • Titanium Silver
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website. Shown above are the colours for the Kia Picanto 2019.

Kia Picanto Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Kia Picanto here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • What car should I buy to replace my 2006 Toyota Corolla?

    There are still plenty of great small cars around within your budget, Agnes, and they all have good safety packages (or we wouldn’t recommend them). Look at offerings such as the Suzuki Swift Navigator (with the optional autonomous emergency braking) for around $17,000 (plus on-road costs) or the Kia Rio S at around $19,000 or Kia Picanto S (one size smaller than the Rio) at closer to $16,000. Both the Kias also feature the brand’s excellent seven-year warranty, capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance which is great peace of mind.

    The Volkswagen Polo is a classy drive but a little more expensive at closer to $21,000 for the 85TSi Comfortline. Actually, to be honest, you’ve missed the boat on bargain small cars by a couple of years. Firm favourites such as the Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 have both been updated relatively recently and have recorded big price jumps in the process. The cheapest Yaris with an automatic transmission is now around $23,000 (it was less than $17,000 back in 2018) while the Mazda 2 Maxx went from being a sub-$17,000 proposition in 2018 to a $23,000 car by the time you add an automatic transmission in 2020.

    Show more
  • What is the cheapest Kia?

    The cheapest new Kia is the Picanto S Manual listed at $14,190. For more info on the latest models check out our pricing and specs page, and you'll find all Kia reviews and news here. 

    Show more
  • Which small hatch should I buy for $15,000?

    The Holden Spark has been discontinued in Australia, with the company citing low volume as the main issue. But if that doesn't deter you, it's still a solid buy at under $15,000. Dealers have plenty of stock still on showroom floors, and you can get really good prices on 2017-plate models for less than $15k, drive-away. Shop for the LT if this is the car you like most, because it has a better features list than the LS.

    Probably best to steer clear of the regular Barina, which is admittedly bigger, but definitely not better. The current-generation model could find its way to the automotive graveyard this year, too. 

    The Mirage isn't as good as either the Barina or Spark, so unless you just want a very inexpensive car, it's not high on our recommendation list. The Yaris is lagging behind the times in terms of features, but there's a reason it's a go-to for many budget car buyers: it's a strong offering for space and comfort. 

    All of that said, the Kia Picanto is the budget car we'd most likely recommend, because it has a strong and long warranty and is the only one in the mix with auto emergency braking (AEB). Plus it has a reversing camera as standard (the base model Spark doesn't). 

    Show more
See All Kia Picanto Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Kia Picanto Interior

The Picanto's interior is light on fancy trims, but high on technology. This small car sports an impressive touchscreen and a plethora of connectivity options, despite being one of the most affordable new vehicles in Australia. Base cars get largely plastic trims, while higher spec levels get leather-look seats and extended soft-touch materials on the doors.

Shown above are interior details for the Kia Picanto 2021.

Kia Picanto Dimensions

The dimensions of the Kia Picanto Hatchback vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2024 Hatchback 1485x1595x3595 mm 141 mm
2023 Hatchback 1485x1595x3595 mm 141 mm
2022 Hatchback 1485x1595x3595 mm 141 mm
2021 Hatchback 1485x1595x3595 mm 141 mm
2020 Hatchback 1485x1595x3595 mm 141 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Kia Picanto Dimensions

Kia Picanto Accessories

For the 2021 model year the Kia Picanto features an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a colour multifunction display in the dash cluster, 14-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, and auto emergency braking as part of its base fitment on the S. The GT-Line adds 16-inch alloy wheels, projector headlights, a more aggressive bodykit, leather-look seats, and re-styled interior trims with a centre console box.

Shown above are the accessory details for the Kia Picanto 2021.

Kia Picanto Fuel Consumption

The Kia Picanto is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by — and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 5.5L/100km for Hatchback /— for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2024 Hatchback 5.5L/100km 1.2L 5 SP MAN
2023 Hatchback 5.5L/100km 1.2L 5 SP MAN
2023 Hatchback 5.5L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
2022 Hatchback 5.5L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
2021 Hatchback 5L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
2020 Hatchback 5L/100km 1.2L ULP 5 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Kia Picanto Pricing and Specs for 2024

Kia Picanto Wheel Size

The Kia Picanto has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 175x65 R14 for Hatchback in 2024.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2024 Hatchback 175x65 R14 175x65 R14
2023 Hatchback 175x65 R14 175x65 R14
2022 Hatchback 175x65 R14 175x65 R14
2021 Hatchback 175x65 R14 175x65 R14
2020 Hatchback 175x65 R14 14x5.5 inches 175x65 R14 14x5.5 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Kia Picanto Wheel Sizes

Kia Picanto Seats

Despite its small dimensions, the Kia Picanto makes the most of its footprint with impressively packaged seats which can comfortably seat a 182cm tall adult in every position bar the middle. Seats are manually adjustable regardless of variant

Every Picanto has two ISOFIX and three top-tether child seat mounting points across the rear seats.

Kia Picanto Seats
Shown above are seat details for the Kia Picanto 2021.

Kia Picanto Speed

Despite its modest 62kW and 115Nm the Picanto weighs in at around 1.0-tonne, you can expect the diminutive Kia to accelerate from 0-100km/h in around 13 seconds for the auto, and maybe a little quicker in manual form.

Shown above are speed details for the Kia Picanto 2021.