Road test: Kia Picanto GT 2019 review

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An engaging drive, with spirited performance and agile handling. It’s affordable and well presented.

The recipe is simple. Take a very basic but successful micro car. Dress it up with a body kit, twin-exhaust tip and body accents to further complement the mid-level GT-Line’s smart-looking 16-inch alloy wheels, premium red-accented sports seats, alloy pedals and chunky steering.

Then, most importantly, add a smaller-capacity but more powerful 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-charged, direct-injected petrol (GDi) engine that produces 74kW at 4500rpm and 171Nm from 1500 to 4000rpm. Offering it in manual form only is designed to enhance the sporting image, with a five-speed gearbox delivering drive to the front wheels. Steering and suspension upgrades improve the on-road dynamics and a GT badge on the back rounds off the package. Job done!

Kia already employs disc brakes all round with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and forward-collision warning standard across the Picanto range, whereas most other micro-class cars, and many in the light car category, have stuck with the older-style front disc/rear drum combination.

The standard equipment is similar to the GT-Line, and better than most would expect in this category. While the Picanto’s suite of advanced safety features is one of the best in the class, its safety-assist score fell just short of the requirements to meet the revised ANCAP for vehicles released in 2017 to achieve the latest five-star rating.

Kia Australia has kept the GT affordable with a drive-away price of $17,990, while the seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty adds to the value.

Parking at the local shopping centre next to a Mazda2 was a reminder of just how small the Picanto is, as it made the Mazda look like a much bigger car. For its size, however, the Picanto’s limited interior space is used efficiently.

The front seats provide better-than-expected comfort and support. Instrumentation is basic but clear and easily read, while the controls are all conveniently placed and simple to use. Seating three across the back, even if they are quite small children, is going to be a real squeeze. Adults will find the rear leg room is tight, but there’s good head room.

Boot space is also modest, however the split-fold rear seat adds versatility. It was disappointing, although not surprising, to find the Picanto carries only a tiny temporary-use space-saver spare wheel.

On close inspection there is some evidence of the budget focus, but for the class, it's solidly constructed, and the trimming looks smart and durable.

Spirited performance and involving on-road dynamics are key to the GT’s appeal, and the level of enjoyment this brings will depend on the driving environment. It is more of a warm hatch than a hot hatch.

The tiny lightweight body, excellent response of the 1.0-litre turbo engine when working in its broad peak-torque band and a background of engine and road noise – along with the agile, almost go-kart-like handling created by the sharp steering and a firm but controlled ride – tends to magnify the feeling of speed. Keeping the car flowing smoothly in stop-start traffic, however, requires frequent gear swapping and focus on the throttle response and clutch engagement.

Official fuel consumption is a pleasing 4.8L/100km. Operating in its natural environment, mainly around the city and suburbs, our car averaged a disappointing 8.5L/100km. That said, the GT’s fun-to-drive nature does not really encourage the light throttle use conducive to good fuel economy.

The verdict

Picanto GT’s improved performance and sharper dynamic brings an interesting touch of sporting flavour to the budget-focused micro-car class.