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Kia brings turbo power to its city car in range-topping trims. Does it become a credible rival to the Volkswagen Up GTI?

What is it?

This is the latest and arguably greatest Kia Picanto, a Kia city car now with added turbocharging.

It was inevitable, really. City cars used to be bare-bones, unpretentious transport for pootling about town in an unhurried manner, with few concessions made to straight-line performance. But as their prices and exterior dimensions have increased, their targeted remit has become broader. 

The rise in contract hire and leasing deals has increased the popularity of top-spec models across the board. After all, why settle for an entry-level variant when, for an extra £20 a month, you can have the bigger engine or the more lavish trim level?

It’s why Volkswagen has returned to the small warm hatch formula with the Volkswagen Up GTI, and why, if you want to, you can now pay nearly £15,000 for a Picanto. Yes, this flagship GT-Line S variant is knocking on the door of a mid-spec supermini price-wise, but it packs a punch to justify it.

Kia has shoehorned in the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol motor used in a number of its larger models, including the Kia Rio. Here, it makes 99bhp and a healthy 126lb ft of torque. Ordinarily, these aren't numbers worth shouting about, but in a car weighing slightly over a tonne, it’s promising.

Unlike the Up GTI, though, this isn’t a bone fide sporting model. There are no suspension or steering changes, just a smattering of visual faux-sportiness and a faintly staggering kit list for a car at this level. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and even a wireless smartphone charger are just some of the big car features thrown in on this range-topper. 

What's it like?

The Picanto 1.0 T-GDi is more of an Volkswagen Up TSI rival than a fully fledged Up GTI worrier. The third-generation Picanto impressed us when we first drove it last year, and this new turbo variant builds on that in a couple of areas.

Let’s start with the obvious: this Picanto is within striking distance of actually being called brisk. A sub-ten-second 0-62mph time is par for the course for high-level superminis, but it’s still a rarity in a city car. The in-gear performance is even more worthy of note. 

Kia picanto turbo 2018 225

Like most forced induction small capacity engines, it starts to pick up steam once it’s spinning beyond about 2000rpm, feeling strong and muscular with the characteristically thrummy (but not overbearing) three-pot warble accompanying it. As a result, the Picanto is much less troubled by inclines or overtakes, so, as well as being more enjoyable at lower speeds, it’s more relaxing over long distances. 

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Unfortunately, the power delivery tails off noticeably for the last 1000rpm before it hits the limiter, meaning diesel-like short-shifting takes precedence over rev-chasing fun. That’s not something the higher-tune 118bhp version of this engine suffers from, so it’s a pity Kia didn’t go all-out with that unit and create a Picanto GT.

With less need to wring the Picanto’s neck to keep up with the general traffic flow, it’s also more refined on the move, with the engine complimenting the markedly well-damped interior. The only disturbance is caused by the 16in wheels, which can introduce a touch more tyre drone over coarse surfaces than lesser rims. 

But that’s a small price to pay, many would argue, for the more youthful stance at which Kia is aiming this car. Those wheels and the resulting tyre profile also help give the Picanto enough grip for the increased cornering speeds afforded by its engine. 

The GT-Line S Picanto feels surprisingly well tied-down given its upright body and short wheelbase. It’s not thrill-a-minute, but body control is assured and tight, the steering feels pleasingly direct and naturally weighted and there’s none of the high-speed instability that can plague short-wheelbase cars. It trades in some of the big-sidewall softness of lesser Picantos, but the ride is still composed enough that you might think you’re in something from the class above.

Should I buy one?

We’d understand if you took one look at the Picanto’s sticker price and let out a snort of derision. After all, it’s a full £1600 more than the similarly powerful and good to drive Up and even pricier than the five-door Up GTI. 

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The seriously impressive kit tally almost makes up for that (you couldn’t spec the Up to the same level even if you wanted to), although even the more reasonably priced GT Line version of the Picanto is hardly sparse. That would be the pick of the bunch for us unless a tempting monthly finance deal made upgrading to the S a no-brainer.

Whether or not the racy aesthetics and punchy engine of this flagship model are enough for the Picanto to shake off its rather anodyne image remains to be seen. But its spacious and well-made interior, punchy engine and sorted driving dynamics mean that, cost aside, this is a very capable city car. 

Kia Picanto 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S 

Where Berkshire Price £14,720 On sale Now Engine 3cyls, 998cc, turbo, petrol Power 99bhp at 4500rpm Torque 126lb ft Gearbox 5-spd manual Kerb weight 1020kg Top speed 112mph 0-62mph 9.8sec Fuel economy 55.4mpg CO2 117g/km Rivals Volkswagen Up, Renault Twingo GT

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Beauvais 14 November 2018

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275not599 13 November 2018

It would be nice if you could

It would be nice if you could have the extra kit without someone going crazy with the red highlighter.

 

gavsmit 13 November 2018

At last!

At last someone has reviewed this car with the 1.0 T-GDi engine - it has been ignored by every motoring publication in the UK since it was launched whilst the Up GTi seems to get a new review every other week!

Although the review briefly mentions the lower spec GT-Line trim (i.e. not the GT-Line S here), that is far more comparable to the Up in terms of equipment levels versus list price. And if you know where to look, you can get a new one from an online broker for less than £11k. I'm seriously tempted myself after experiencing VW's usual dealership 'charm' when looking at an Up GTi.

The longer warranty, competitive servicing packages and the absence of a very long waiting list just make the case against the Up stronger.

It might not be the last word in sports driving, but I'm after a go-faster city car that can do a few other things which this car fits the bill well - if I wanted a true sports car I'd buy something much more focused on that brief.

But it is a shame they didn't drop the more powerful 118bhp turbo lump in it (as also mentoned in the review) - maybe Hyundai will do that with an 'N' version of the next i10  which I think is due next year.......

FMS 14 November 2018

gavsmit wrote:

gavsmit wrote:

At last someone has reviewed this car with the 1.0 T-GDi engine - it has been ignored by every motoring publication in the UK since it was launched whilst the Up GTi seems to get a new review every other week!

Although the review briefly mentions the lower spec GT-Line trim (i.e. not the GT-Line S here), that is far more comparable to the Up in terms of equipment levels versus list price. And if you know where to look, you can get a new one from an online broker for less than £11k. I'm seriously tempted myself after experiencing VW's usual dealership 'charm' when looking at an Up GTi.

The longer warranty, competitive servicing packages and the absence of a very long waiting list just make the case against the Up stronger.

It might not be the last word in sports driving, but I'm after a go-faster city car that can do a few other things which this car fits the bill well - if I wanted a true sports car I'd buy something much more focused on that brief.

But it is a shame they didn't drop the more powerful 118bhp turbo lump in it (as also mentoned in the review) - maybe Hyundai will do that with an 'N' version of the next i10  which I think is due next year.......

 

Of the H/K brands, Kia seem to be the "sporty" one, eg Stinger, Proce'ed GT, Picanto GT-Line S, so perhaps not an i10N, but guessing that Kia have already thought of Picanto GT, with the 118bhp engine and might let it out next year. The Rio with this engine/ GT-Line S spec is Ins Gp 10, so again, looking good for decent running costs.