2020 KIA Picanto Start
Quick Facts
- Price: From R167 995
- Engine: 1.0-liter petrol
- Power/Torque: 49 Nm/96 Nm
- Transmission: Manual and Auto
- Fuel consumption (claimed): Under 5.0 L/100 km
A perennial favorite among the young and young at heart since the first-generation model debuted in 2003, the current, third-generation model made its South African debut in July 2017. Along with the KIA Sportage, Picanto remains one of KIA’s most popular models globally and in South Africa.
Being one of the best cars you can buy in the budget segment, the revised KIA Picanto is a constant hit among many people who want affordable cars and the revised 2020 model should not struggle to surpass the numbers put up by its predecessors.
The most notable revision in the 2020 KIA Picanto START model is the addition of a front passenger airbag and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) to the entry-level START derivatives. The addition means that two front airbags and ABS are now a standard feature across the Picanto range, as is ISOFIX child seat anchors. With 44% of its bodyshell cast now in Advanced High-strength Steel (AHSS), the KIA Picanto's structure of the car has been strengthened, Overall, 67 meters of joints throughout the body structure have also been reinforced with structural adhesive, improving the Picanto’s torsional stiffness by 32% over its predecessor, making this the safest car in the budget segment in my opinion.
Other standard features across the START range include power steering, an adjustable steering column, manual air-conditioning, as well as a radio with RDS and MP3 capability, Aux and USB connector jacks, Bluetooth connectivity and two speakers, to name but a few. The Picanto START retains its 13-inch steel wheels with stylish wheel covers.
The KIA Picanto START is powered by a three-cylinder 1.0 MPI engine which produces 49 kW at 5 500 r/min and 96 Nm torque, KIA claim that the 1.0 three-cylinder engine is reliable and fuel-efficient with figures of under 5l/100km. The KIA Picanto START is offered with a choice of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.
My final Verdict - Having such a great track record in the budget car segment globally and locally and their five-year unlimited kilometer warranty (inclusive of Roadside Assistance) is a sign that KIA Motors is confident with their offering. The KIA Picanto has earned its stripes and paved the way for other budget cars in the market right now and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a budget car, however, the price is quite steep and with the list of other budget cars offering Android Auto and Apple car play as well as electric windows, I would choose the Automatic Renault Kwid 1.0 Climber AMT which is R174 900 and has quite an exciting interior, Android and Apple Car Play as well as electric windows. You only get the latter in the KIA Picanto STREET which starts at R188 995 for the Manual & R202 995 for the Automatic.
2020 KIA Picanto START Pricing:
- KIA Picanto 1.0 START Manual R 167,995
- KIA Picanto 1.0 START Automatic R 181,995
All Picanto models ship as standard with KIA’s industry-leading Unlimited Kilometre, 5-year warranty (inclusive of Roadside Assistance), as well as a 2-year / 30,000km service plan.
