Name: Kia Picanto (2017 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Kia Picanto
Rating: 60.0

Summary

The Kia Picanto is a small five-door city car first launched in its current generation in 2017 and updated in 2024. It remains one of the few new petrol-powered city cars still available in the UK, positioned as an affordable and easy-to-drive option for urban use.

Closely related to the Hyundai i10, the Kia Picanto has been widely praised for its tidy handling, sensible layout and good everyday usability. Interior quality is solid for the class, and higher-spec versions offer a respectable level of equipment for a small car.

However, safety has long been its weakest area. The Kia Picanto received a three-star Euro NCAP rating when new, rising to four stars with optional safety equipment, and that rating has since expired under current testing protocols. Safety performance now sits well below many newer rivals.

Where the Kia Picanto stands out is ownership strength. Reliability data is excellent, running costs are low, and Kia’s seven-year new car warranty remains one of the strongest in the industry.

As of February 2026, the Kia Picanto holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 60%. Excellent reliability, low running costs and strong warranty cover support the result, while weak safety scores and only moderate media reviews limit the overall grade. On the used market, the Kia Picanto performs more strongly with an A rating (75%).

More Kia Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Stuart’s view:

“The Kia Picanto’s ownership strengths are clear: excellent reliability, low running costs and one of the longest warranties available. However, its safety record deserves careful consideration. A three-star Euro NCAP rating when new was already below the class standard, and that rating has now expired as the car has aged. In a segment where many rivals achieved five stars, this is a notable compromise. Buyers prioritising long-term dependability may be reassured, but those placing safety at the top of their checklist should compare alternatives carefully.”

Stuart Masson

Editor, The Car Expert

Picanto highlights

Excellent reliability record
Low running costs
Strong seven-year warranty
Easy to drive in town
Practical for its size

Picanto lowlights

Very weak safety score
Media review scores only average
Limited power and motorway performance
Rear passenger space is tight

Key specifications

Body style: Small five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £13,665 on-road

Launched: Spring 2017
Last updated: Winter 2023/24
Next update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“As a dedicated city car, the Kia Picanto is a brilliant little machine. It’s great to drive, has plenty of standard kit and is well built. Plus, you get the reassurance of a seven-year warranty. But, the overall score is dragged down by an expired safety rating.”

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ‘2’

Score: 6 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

Stuart Masson

“The Kia Picanto looks great, costs peanuts to run and has a generous boot, but other city cars are better at carrying rear passengers and less strained on motorways.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

More reviews

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: Pre-facelift range
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The new Kia Picanto is improved in all areas and remains a top contender in the city car market.”
Author: Andrew Charman
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The facelifted Kia Picanto looks more premium and still features an impressive list of standard equipment. It drives like a bigger car, but it needs to because it’s more expensive than ever. For those in need of a tiny city car that don’t want to compromise on space, the Picanto remains a solid choice.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Picanto city car has plenty of kit and offers a grown-up drive to go with its sporty looks.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Picanto is a little car done properly. This is the second update of a model that first came out in 2017. In theory it should be on its last legs now, but Kia has given it one more facelift to give it a few more years on the road. Enjoy it while it lasts: it looks better than ever, still offers loads of value, and still serves up proper driving fun.”
Author: Mark Nichol
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“While its compact dimensions, light controls and tight turning circle ensure it’s a doddle to drive around town and park in the tightest of spaces, the Kia Picanto is also an impressively stable car on the motorway, making it feel considerably more grown up than many of its rivals.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re looking for a tiny city car, the Kia Picanto is just about the best non-electric one on sale today. We’ll take one over the similar Hyundai i10 because of its longer warranty, sharper styling and more competitive pricing – but we’ll forgive anyone for plumping for a Fiat 500 on account of how much cooler it is.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual 2
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kia Picanto has all the makings of an excellent city car. It’s small, nimble, cheap to run and punches well above its weight for refinement and standard equipment on higher-trim cars.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual GT-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“City-dwellers are spoiled for choice in the current small car market. Working in the Kia Picanto’s favour are an enjoyable driving experience, a practical, well-made interior and a strong ownership proposition.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Kia Picanto is a practical and polished city car, with great specs and infotainment options.”
Author: Charlie Harvery, Alastair Crooks
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Picanto is a compact city car with a spicy attitude and styling, but a sensible approach to practicality and interior design. It’s available as a five-door hatch with space for five, and petrol engines. We’ll save you the suspense of reading on, and say it’s a brilliant all-rounder and one of the best in its class.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Picanto continues to offer a fun and affordable option in the city car sector, backed up by the firm’s excellent long warranty.”
Read review

“The 2017 Kia Picanto is a bit special. So what have they done to make the car so good? Partly a new electric motor-assisted steering that replaces the rather dead and wooden system in the previous Picanto. And partly some clever rear suspension work.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Facelift range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Well made, great value and good to drive”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ‘2’
Score: 6 / 10
“The latest version of one of our favourite small cars still appeals, although disappointing child safety scores make it harder to recommend.”
Author: Alex Robbins

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“With the latest Picanto, Kia has seriously closed the gap on the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen Up.”
Author: Chris Knapman
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Kia Picanto is a fun and interesting city car, with something in the range for everyone’s taste.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: September 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 79%
Child protection: 64%
Vulnerable road users: 54%
Safety assist: 25%

Note on safety rating

The Kia Picanto was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a three-star rating, which is how the car is sold in the UK as the ‘1’ and ‘2’ spec models.

Standard on ‘3’ spec and upwards, and optional on ‘2’ spec models, is extra safety kit that upgraded the Picanto’s safety rating to four stars.

However, these ratings expired in January 2024 and are no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such ratings. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the ratings have now expired, the scores are still useful if you are comparing a used Picanto to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

It’s possible that Euro NCAP may re-test the Picanto at some point, since it looks like being on sale for several years longer at least.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2026, the Kia Picanto has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	52 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	122 g/km	B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	5	A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£129	A
Year 2	£345	A
Year 3	£537	A
Year 4	£713	A
Year 5	£961	A
Overall	£2,685	A

The Kia Picanto is an exceptionally cheap car to run. Its fuel consumption is very good, with a ‘B’ score, and that’s the worst result here. Road tax (which is based on CO₂ emissions), insurance and servicing are all excellent.

There are fewer new cars on the road that will cost you less to own than a Picanto, regardless of which version you choose.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 35
Average repair cost: £190.58
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Kia Picanto has an excellent overall reliability score of 93%, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy.

MotorEasy reports that Picanto drivers usually reported faults from two different claim categories. The first relates to the car’s braking system, although fortunately these tend not to be too expensive with an average repair cost of about £160. Warranty holders have also claimed for suspension repairs, which also cost around £130 on average.

If you’re looking at a used Picanto, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Kia Picanto

Overall ratingA85%
New car warranty duration7 years
New car warranty mileage100,000 miles

Kia’s new car warranty is one of the best in the new car market, and better than pretty much any rival brands in a similar price bracket to the Picanto.

The duration is seven years, with a limit of 100,000 miles. This is good news for both new and used car buyers, as it helps the residual value of the Picanto for new car buyers when they come to sell the car, and it gives near-new car buyers confidence that they are covered for years to come.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Kia Picanto

Date: May 2022
Recall number: R/2022/122
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2020 to 02/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 15,295
Defect: The audible warning when the rear fog lamp is left switched on the ignition is switched off and the driver’s door opened on some vehicles does not function.
Remedy: Update the dash cluster software to include an audible warning function.

As of October 2024 (our most recent data point), there has only been one DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Kia Picanto, which relates to a lack of audible warning when the rear fog lamp is left on.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Kia dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Picanto, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.