KIA Picanto – Model Year 2025

Country of Manufacture
The KIA Picanto MY2025 for Europe is produced at the KIA plant in Seoul, South Korea.
Brief Description
The KIA Picanto MY2025 is a five-door city car—one of the most compact and agile in its class—designed for those seeking practicality, low fuel consumption, and affordable running costs. The facelift brings a more modern look, with LED headlights, a redesigned "tiger nose" grille, and new bumpers. The interior offers more technology than before, including an up to 8" touchscreen, digital cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plenty of storage compartments, and good-quality materials for its class. The engine range includes efficient three-cylinder petrol units with manual or automated manual (AMT) transmission. Safety has been improved with key standard ADAS features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.
2025 Powertrains
| Version | Power / Torque | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | 0–100 km/h | Avg. Consumption* |
|---|
| 1.0 MPI | 67 hp / 96 Nm | 1.0 3-cylinder | FWD | 5-speed manual/AMT | 14.6 s | 5.0 l/100 km |
| 1.2 MPI | 84 hp / 118 Nm | 1.2 4-cylinder | FWD | 5-speed manual/AMT | 12.3 s | 5.3 l/100 km |
*WLTP combined cycle data.
Dimensions and Capacity
| Length | Width | Height | Boot Capacity |
|---|
| 3,595 mm | 1,595 mm | 1,485 mm | 255–1,010 liters |
Main Trims
Picanto Urban: 14” steel wheels, 8" display, manual air conditioning, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, emergency braking, lane keeping assist.
Picanto Style: 15” alloy wheels, rearview camera, parking sensors, digital cluster, two-tone interior.
Picanto GT Line: 16” alloy wheels, sporty details, leather seats and steering wheel, premium audio, full LED headlights.
PROS
| PRO | Why it stands out |
|---|
| Agility and maneuverability | Small dimensions and tight turning circle: perfect for city driving. |
| Low fuel and running costs | Efficient engines, low maintenance, low insurance. |
| Updated onboard technology | Touchscreen, digital cluster, ADAS even on base trims. |
| Above-average boot | Generous boot space for the city car class. |
| Easy parking | Simple to maneuver even in the tightest spots. |
CONS
| CONS | Noted detail |
|---|
| Modest performance | Mainly suited to city use, less for long trips or highways. |
| Limited comfort on bumps | Suspension is firm on rough roads. |
| Spartan base trim | Entry-level versions are quite basic. |
| Non-premium interior materials | Hard plastics in the lower cabin. |
| Road noise at speed | Soundproofing could be better at highway speeds. |
Indicative Prices
| Version | List Price* |
|---|
| 1.0 MPI Urban | €15,700 |
| 1.2 MPI Style | €17,400 |
| 1.2 MPI GT Line | €18,900 |
*VAT included; registration tax and delivery fees excluded.
Summary
The KIA Picanto MY2025 is one of the most practical and modern city cars on the market: super agile in the city, economical to run, now safer and more high-tech thanks to recent updates. Less suited for those who drive many extra-urban miles, but the ideal choice for anyone seeking a reliable, spacious, and easy-to-use small car.
Verdict — Kia Picanto (Model-Year 2025)
Kia Picanto 1.0 MPi 67 hp · 1.2 MPi 84 hp · GT-Line
The Kia Picanto is the brand’s compact and lively city car, designed for those seeking maximum agility in the city, low running costs, and a youthful, personal style. The design is refreshed with the new LED light signature, sharp lines, sporty GT-Line touches, 14" to 16" wheels, bright colors, and chrome details. The interior focuses on practicality and tech: durable materials, central 8" touchscreen, partial digital cluster, intuitive physical controls, and plenty of storage compartments.
On the technical side:
1.0 MPi: 3-cylinder petrol, 67 hp, 5-speed manual or automated manual, 5.2 l/100 km WLTP.
1.2 MPi: 4-cylinder petrol, 84 hp, manual or automatic, 5.4 l/100 km WLTP.
Agile suspension, light steering, ultra-tight turning circle (9.4 m), comfortable ride over bumps and cobbles.
| Aspect | Where it excels | Where it matches | Where it lags |
|---|
| Design & Image | Playful lines, new LED signature, vivid colors, sporty GT-Line details, 16" wheels. | “Tiger nose” grille, two-tone roof, chrome accents. | Less iconic than Fiat 500, basic interiors on entry versions. |
| Comfort & NVH | Comfortable seats, good sound insulation for the segment, intuitive controls, A/C. | USB port, plenty of storage, solid materials. | Firm ride on GT-Line, rear space limited for three adults. |
| Real-world Efficiency | Very low consumption (1.0 MPi), low maintenance costs, cheap tax and insurance. | Euro 6e compliant, Start&Stop. | 1.2 MPi thirstier in town, no hybrid or electric version. |
| Dynamics | Extremely agile in the city, super easy to park, ultra-light steering, precise manual gearbox. | Safe braking, stable setup for urban traffic. | Modest out-of-town performance, limited long-distance power. |
| Practicality | 5 doors standard, 255–1,010 L boot, split rear seats, plenty of useful storage. | Low load lip, good modularity. | Small boot compared to larger superminis. |
| HMI / Infotainment | 8" touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, physical climate controls. | Optional nav, multiple USBs, rear camera. | Basic system on entry-level, simple graphics. |
| ADAS & safety | Auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, hill start assist. | Parking sensors, cruise control, eCall. | Advanced ADAS only on high trims, no autonomous driving. |
| Running Costs | 14–16" tyres (from €55 each), 7-year/150,000 km warranty, 15,000 km service intervals, cheap insurance. | Low tax, affordable spare parts. | Quick depreciation, less attractive on the used market than hybrids. |
| Depreciation | Always in demand as a second car or city car, affordable even when new. | — | Base versions depreciate more, less “premium” badge than some rivals. |
Who it’s for
City dwellers looking to save — Picanto 1.0 MPi: minimum fuel use, easy parking, ultra-low running costs.
New drivers, young people, students — agile, safe, well-equipped, and always easy to drive.
Anyone seeking a versatile, practical city car — 1.2 MPi and GT-Line: livelier, sportier look, full features.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone wanting iconic style or premium finishes → Fiat 500, Mini, Toyota Aygo X.
Anyone seeking hybrid or electric options → Suzuki Swift Hybrid, Renault Twingo Electric.
Those doing lots of out-of-town driving → Kia Rio, Dacia Sandero, Hyundai i20.
Recommended configuration
Kia Picanto 1.2 MPi GT-Line + 8" display + rear camera + 16" wheels + ADAS pack: the perfect choice for those wanting a peppy, safe, and well-equipped city car.
Avoid the entry trim if you want advanced infotainment, extra comfort, or evolved ADAS.