Kia Picanto
 (4.5/5)
expert rating
 (4.2/5)
owner rating
No Longer On Sale
from RM 628.01 /month
from RM 47,079.43 to RM 59,888.00
Buy Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto JA (2018-Present) Owner Review

Share your experiences with the Kia Picanto - Write an owner review

Do you own the Kia Picanto? As the owner, you have literally sat in the driver's seat and discovered the ups and downs as you go about your everyday life.

Share your experiences with the Kia Picanto and help others in the market for a car like this.

7 Owner Reviews
Date Reviewed
27 June 2023
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
Adi Hizami
1.2 EX AT (2018)
Bought new, Owned for 4 Years
Fuel Economy: 15.0 km/litre (6.7 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 300 km/month
    -Cheapest car with android auto / apple car play in 2019
    -Cheapest car for non national car maker
    -6 aibags
    - Reasonably comfortable
    - Very respectable fuel efficiency. I live and drive mostly in a city and can get around 15km/l per tank. I drive mostly during non-peak hours and try to avoid high traffic areas.
    -interior look good
    -better handling rather than car at the same price bracket
    - Road and wind noise quite intrusive.
    - high RPM during high speed
    - 4AT gearbox sometime have jerking
    -small booth
To Improve
-the gearbox need to be improve
-Bermaz Malaysia should consider to bring the facelift model to Malaysia
Yes, I would recommend this car
Date Reviewed
20 June 2023
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
Sarah
1.2 EX AT (2018)
Bought new, Owned for 5 Years
Fuel Economy: 21.0 km/litre (4.8 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 250 km/month
    1) Affordable price: The 2018 Kia Picanto continues the model�s tradition of being competitively priced, offering good value for the features and quality it provides.

    2) Fuel efficiency: The Picanto is known for its fuel efficiency, making it an economical choice for daily commuting and city driving.

    3) Compact size: The small size of the 2018 Picanto makes it easy to navigate through traffic, park in tight spaces, and maneuver in urban environments.

    4) Modern features: Many 2018 Picanto models come with desirable features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, rearview camera, and available safety features like autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.

    5) Warranty: Kia offers a generous warranty package, which typically includes a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, providing peace of mind to owners.
    1) Limited space: Like most subcompact cars, the 2018 Picanto has limited rear passenger and cargo space, which may not be ideal for those needing more room.

    2) Engine performance: While the Picanto is adequate for city driving, the engine�s power may feel underwhelming during highway merging or when carrying a full load.

    3) Limited features: The base trim levels of the 2018 Kia Picanto may lack certain advanced features found in higher trims or competing models, such as advanced driver-assistance systems or premium audio options.

    4) Noisy at higher speeds: Due to its small size and compact design, 2018 Picanto can be noisier on the highway, with more wind and road noise compared to larger vehicles.
To Improve
1) Interior quality: Some owners have mentioned that the materials used in the interior of the 2018 Picanto could be of better quality. Upgrading the interior materials and finishes would enhance the overall feel and appeal of the cabin.

2) Engine performance: Although the Picanto performs adequately for daily city driving, some owners have expressed a desire for more power, especially during highway driving or when carrying heavier loads. Enhancing the engine performance and acceleration could provide a more engaging driving experience.

3) Noise insulation: As mentioned earlier, the 2018 Picanto can be noisy at higher speeds due to its small size. Improving noise insulation measures, such as better soundproofing materials or aerodynamic enhancements, would help reduce wind and road noise, resulting in a quieter cabin during highway driving.

4) Advanced safety features: While the 2018 Picanto offered some safety features, such as a rearview camera, some owners wished for a more comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Including features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist would further enhance the safety offerings of the vehicle.
Yes, I would recommend this car
Date Reviewed
18 December 2020
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
Jia Wei
1.2 GT-Line AT (2019)
Bought new, Owned for 2 Years
Fuel Economy: 14.0 km/litre (7.1 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 2,000 km/month
    - Great safety feature. 6 airbags, ABS, VSC, and automated braking. Not to mention rear disk brake whereas Axia only have rear drum break.
    - Great NVH. No obvious noise and vibration even at highway speed (110km/h).
    - Infotainment is loaded with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. I'm using Android Auto for navigation and it works fine.
    - Decent fuel consumption. Usually I got 400km driving with 70% city driving.
    - Great driving performance from 84hp car. Once it past 60km/h, you can feel the acceleration from the car.
    - For A Segment car, expect the rear space will be small. But this is not a problem for me as I drive alone most of the time.
    - The boot is small. It cannot fit a 20" luggage in the boot.
To Improve
1.0L turbo will be nice but 1.2L NA we got here is not bad. If got blind spot info system this car would be perfect. But then again we cannot ask for more for 60k car. In conclusion, a better alternative than Myvi if rear space is not your main concern.
Yes, I would recommend this car
Date Reviewed
2 August 2019
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
Abi
1.2 EX AT (2018)
Bought new, Owned for 2 Years
Fuel Economy: 14.8 km/litre (6.8 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 5,000 km/month
    - Handling wise, above expectation as it just a small car so i dont expect much but it did suprised me!
    - Performance wise, above expectation as i don't expect much from 82hp car. 0-60kmh is not quick (maybe tuned to save fuel) but after 60kmh, easy to climb to 170kmh compare to my wife myvi 1.5H. opss sorry but truth hurts. it tops at 185kmh (dont tell pdrm/jpj)
    - Safety wise, front and rear disc brake + 6 airbags for A-segment car. you judge!
    - Fuel consumption, expected not as good as axia but more or less the same as myvi. around 400-420km for 30litres tank = 90% city driving. the problem is i always drive fast on free way so it might consume more. what to do.. drive 140kmh feels like 100kmh.
    - Infotainment, very good very satisfied. it comes with apple carplay. hey siri call my wife! hey siri open waze! hey siri open spotify!
    - Reverse camera? A lot better than my brother's camry hybrid reverse camera ;)
    - NVH? Also better than my father's vellfire :D
    - Seating position and steering feels is great but this is subjective as i like to seat low (i dont like seeing the car hood) and the steering feels premium. stim!
    - Well, expected small space. it is not spacious as myvi and slightly tighter than axia. but i always drive alone so i dont mind. obviously not practical for those who always bring people.
    - Factory tyre is not so quiet. some get kumho but i got nexen hd blue plus. good grip but not so quiet. change to conti cc6 or michelin xm2 to reduce tyre noise.
    - Aircond is cold and i always put max on 2 in hot day. but somehow for some people who like snow, note that the middle vent is slower than the side vent. u might put it on 3 or 4.
To Improve
I dont know what as i just wanted a daily small car for work but this car is above my expectation. i booked myvi before i even know Picanto. No regrets and i feel thankful to God for changing my mind to Picanto haha owning it for almost 1year 6months already. I dont consider Iriz because i dont like the cvt gear. boring, feels like scooter but yes Iriz>Myvi (if u dont mind the cvt gear). manual? good luck everyday at least 1 hour stuck in traffic :D

but hey, there's always room for improvement! like.. more power please! because this car is stable at high speed.
Yes, I would recommend this car
Date Reviewed
17 July 2019
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
VIJAYENDRAN
1.2 EX AT (2018)
Bought new, Owned for 1 Year
Fuel Economy: 13.0 km/litre (7.7 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 1,200 km/month
    handling and performance
    space too small at behind
To Improve
more leg room for rear and boot space
engine capacity
Yes, I would recommend this car
Date Reviewed
23 October 2018
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
Zen
1.2 EX AT (2018)
Bought new, Owned for 1 Year
Fuel Economy: 12.0 km/litre (8.3 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 800 km/month
    - Very good build quality. Fit and finish is better than your typical local/CKD models at this price point. Plastics used in the interior are high quality.
    - Ride and handling is refined :
    i) Very good suspension. Absorbs bumps and road imperfections very well with stock rims and tires.
    ii) Car doesn't feel floaty at high speeds (120km/h +/-)
    iii) Sound insulation is well sorted.
    iv) Handling is direct and precise. Very close to what you would expect from a European car.
    v) Transmission and engine response is smooth and quick. Minimal jerkiness except under low speeds at rare occasions.
    - Integrated DRL makes the car looks more expensive than it seems.
    - Respectable safety specs for the price.
    - European inspired interior design with floating touchscreen
    - Very good infotainment system, with integrated Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Responsive UI and reasonably good audio quality.
    - Despite the small leg room (depending on your front seat adjustment), the rear seats are reasonably comfortable because of the long bench and slightly angled position.
    - Rear boot space is rather good for a car this size.
    - Slightly intrusive road noise (can be improved with better tires)
    - Engine power is sufficient but not great. Car will have difficulty picking up speed under certain occasion like overtaking, resulting in more revving , which in turns affects fuel consumption and more engine noise in the cabin (not too bad).
    - Depending on your driving style, fuel consumption is rather high for a 1.2L engine. Averaging 11 - 12km/L under 80% +/- city driving conditions in KL.
    - Cabin space is not great but expected from a car of this size. Fetching 3 adults at the back will be quite a squeeze.
    - Audio quality is good but slightly lacking in bass.
    - Steering wheel have no telescopic adjustment.
    - Lack of center armrest. (aftermarket solution available)
    - Lack of fabric/leather at door armrest.
    - Lack of autonomous safety features.
To Improve
This car only needs a better engine for better power and fuel consumption. A 1.0/1.2L turbo will be perfect. The 4 speed transmission is great but 6 speed is desirable. Autonomous emergency braking should be included.

However, end of the day, we can't ask for everything for 49k ...
Yes, I would recommend this car
Date Reviewed
24 April 2018
Performance
Ride & Handling
Comfort
Safety
Space
Value
KEAN
1.2 EX AT (2018)
Bought new, Owned for 1 Year
Fuel Economy: 13.0 km/litre (7.7 L/100 km), RON95, Mileage: 300 km/month
    1) Equipped with 7 inch floating infotainment system with reverse camera and Android Auto.
    2) Quality speaker output and bass and radio signal receiving is good.
    3) Good ride and handling, able to absorb road bump and less feel when car run over uneven road.
    4) Nicely wrap steering, look premium and comfortable to hold at this price point.
    5) Above average interior built quality and good plastic material use although not soft touch but doesn't look cheap.
    6) Nice looking exterior especially the front with Projector headlamp and DRL and U shape position lamp, and LED signal. Kia improve on DRL when handbrake engaged DRL turn off, this increase privacy when parking in Mall and trying to rest in Car.
    7) First in class safety features for car at this price point: 6 airbag, 4disc brake, VSM, 5 ELR type seatbelt with 5 seatbelt fasten reminder to name a few.
    8) Good NVH suppression
    1) No leather seat, consider Axia and Myvi have it at about the same price point.
    2) No built in touch and go reader, which I think is very practical and convenience (Myvi have it).
    3) No front parking sensor (at least two at right and left side)
    4) Rear legroom is critical, it is a tight affair for passenger above 175cm, with front passenger also around 175cm.
    5) FC not as good as expected compare to Axia or Bezza maybe due to heavier body weight (increase 44% AHSS), but still within acceptable range.
    6) Black and white infotainment display is boring.
To Improve
1) Use colour infotainment display
2) Improve rear design, make the exhaust pipe visible.
3) Add on rear passenger bottle holder at both rear doors.
4) Can add on leather seat as option.
5) Can built in touch and go reader.
6) Can add front parking sensor
Yes, I would recommend this car

Kia Picanto's Competitors