2021 Kia Picanto joins the cute crossover crowd

Don’t get too excited, though: this is essentially a high-spec Picanto in hiking boots, with some new jewellery attached mainly to the ends. Pretty much the same recipe as followed by other compact hatch-crossovers in its segment, then, but the boxy little Picanto and its frowning face take particularly well to this treatment. It’s mechanically unchanged, though, so the driving experience is just like you’d have had from the outgoing Picanto 1.2 Smart range-topper – in short, very nice and suitable for the task at hand, but not really ready for anything more serious than the occasional stretch of gravel road.

Related: We compared the Kia Picanto’s running costs to those of two competitors, to highlight another Picanto strong suit.

 

Exterior enhancements

It starts off with a new bumper and X-Line-specific LED headlights in front, with a skid-plate-like protrusion and a redesigned “tiger nose” grille (now with the kind of knurled finish you'd find on a Seltos) adding extra scowl to the normal third-generation Picanto frown. The rear end also receives a new bumper and LED lights, and it’s all connected by black cladding around the wheel arches and down the bodysides.

The combined effect is quite intriguing, downright cute in the metal, and absolutely non-threatening, in spite of its angry face. The add-ons are pretty tastefully applied, and projects a quietly upmarket image along with some visual distancing from its humbler siblings. Ten colours are available, of which my favourite at the socially-distanced launch event was the bright “Shiny” Red (yes, that's what they call it!), which offsets the black and silver detailing most dramatically.

 

Range-wide changes

The big news inside the 2021 Picanto’s cabin is a new 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rear-view camera with moving guidelines. This is standard on all variants except the 1.0 “Start” trim, which receives a normal Bluetooth/USB-enabled audio system instead. For the rest, it all remains largely the same as before.

The baseline 1.0 Start is now, in fact, quite well-equipped for an entry-level car. Standard kit includes air-con, power steering, ABS and two airbags (both recently introduced as part of a range-wide safety update), rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, and the aforementioned Bluetooth/USB audio system. This entry-level variant is only available with the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine (49 kW and 95 Nm), but buyers have a choice between 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearboxes (this applies across the entire range).

One step up gets you the “Street” derivatives in both 1.0- and 1.2-litre flavours. The main additions here are the new infotainment system, remote central locking, electric rear-view mirrors, and electric windows all round. Style trim (again available with all drivetrain combinations) adds 14-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, and a rear windscreen wiper.

The X-Line replaces the previous “Smart” trim level in the Picanto line-up, and can only be had with the 1.2-litre engine (61 kW/122 Nm). It has the most comprehensive equipment list of the lot, with 15-inch alloy wheels, those sexy LED headlamps, and artificial leather seat upholstery added for visual and tactile differentiation, while a sunroof is optional.

Related: Top 10 Kia Picanto features that stand out from the competition.

 

And its party trick?

It’s mostly about the semi-premium environment inside the cabin, really. While there’s no soft-touch plastic to be found, the dashboard and door cards have a nicely grained texture and almost a matte appearance, and the switchgear feels solid to the touch. This is an area where the Picanto X-Line probably trounces most of the aforementioned opponents, and adds to a more-upmarket impression behind the wheel.

The front seating area is comfortable and spacious, with plenty of hidey-holes and cupholders, making it easy for two large people (or four smallish ones) to share in the relative plushness inside. The boot is usefully voluminous in this (third) generation, too, and roughly comparable to those of its opponents at 255 litres.

Related: In this video review of the 2017 Kia Picanto 1.2 Smart, we found a surprising value proposition in this range-topper.

 

A small car that acts bigger

Another notable Picanto characteristic is its “grown-up” road manners. While performance from the 1.2-litre non-turbo engine is adequate rather than sporty, the suspension tuning strikes a really nice balance between control and comfort in normal driving conditions. Further evidence of sophistication can be found in the lightweight gearshift and clutch actions, along with light but precise steering.

Noise suppression and overall refinement are at also a level where open-road cruising becomes a viable option, and its directional stability is commendable for something so stubby and tall. The engine isn’t very big on torque delivery, but it’s willing to rev its little rings should you prod it to life with the gear stick.

It’s a very small car that behaves like a larger one, which, combined with the nice furnishings inside and striking looks outside, offers a unique set of virtues in its market segment. And, with Kia’s strong warranty for 5 years with no mileage limit, and a pre-paid service plan for 2 years or 30 000 km, ownership should be as hassle-free as it's always been.

Related: New vs used (second-generation) Kia Picanto – what are the top 5 differences?

 

2021 Kia Picanto 1.2 X-Line prices:

1.2 X-Line manual: R 237 995

1.2 X-Line automatic: R 251 995

 

 

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