The Kia Picanto is a neat, reliable, and fun-to-drive little car that's been awarded multiple accolades. It was a finalist in the 2018 SA Car of the Year competition too. With stylish looks and a vast amount of safety and tech in the more expensive models, the Picanto is sure to satisfy modern city dwellers. But what if those dwellers include children or babies?
Currently, there are no less than thirteen models in the South African line-up, and they come equipped with a 3-cylinder 998 cc engine and a 4-cylinder 1.25-litre (1248 cc) engine. (Read Safest small cars for new drivers here.)
Here's what a new Picanto will cost you in South Africa, in *August 2019:
- Picanto 1.0 Start: R158 995
- Picanto 1.0 Street: R165 995
- Picanto 1.0 Start auto: R 172 995
- Picanto 1.0 Style auto: R189 995
- Picanto 1.0 Style: R175 995
- Picanto 1.0 Smart: R198 995
- Picanto 1.2 Start: R168 995
- Picanto 1.2 Street: R180 995
- Picanto 1.2 Start auto: R182 995
- Picanto 1.2 Style: R190 995
- Picanto 1.2 Style auto: R204 995
- Picanto 1.2 Smart: R214 995
- Picanto 1.2 Smart auto: R228 995
Safety & practicality
Because Start derivatives don't come equipped with ABS, we wouldn't even consider it, and even less so if we are to drive our precious children around. The rest of the Picantos all have ABS and EBD as well as 2 airbags, except for the Start model that only has one. All Picantos have Bluetooth for safe hands-free calling, together with a USB port and auxiliary input.
Smart models have a high-quality, user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen where the rear-view camera image is displayed when you slot the gear lever into reverse. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well, and there are satellite buttons on the steering wheel, including one for voice control.
All Picantos (bar the Start) have remote central locking. Style and Smart models have front fog lights.There are ISOFIX anchorage points on the outer rear seats, but I have heard from more than one parent that slotting the car seats into the anchor points isn't easy, because they're quite hard to find in the seat upholstery. You can read our 2017 Kia Picanto launch report here which walks you through the tech and spec in each derivative. (Also read 10 Kia Picanto accessories you didn't know you needed.)
Space
If space is what you're after, maybe the Picanto isn't your best bet. Very tall drivers will struggle to find their ideal driving position, also because the steering wheel is not telescopically adjustable. If you're a young mom with a little one in a baby seat, you won't be uncomfortable, though. If there are very tall passengers in front, there had better not be tall passengers in the rear or they will feel very cramped back there. Thanks to five doors, at least access to the rear is easy, but I don't see children taller than about 1.6 metres being comfortable in the back on longer journeys.
As for storage space, the glovebox is tiny, but the door pockets in front are large enough for 1.5-litre bottles of water. The rear doors sadly have no storage space at all. There's a small storage binnacle under the front armrest for items such as wallets or keys, and in front, there's a tray for your phone.
What about that pram?
The Picanto's boot is bigger than one would imagine, and you'll get quite far with 255 litres when doing your weekly grocery shopping and such. However, very few baby strollers will fit in there unless it can be folded like an origami swan and the wheels removed. However, if you have a rear-facing baby seat in front and no rear passengers, you can always stow the stroller on the back seat, although this isn't the safest option unless it can be safely secured so it doesn't become a deadly flying object, should you have to slam on the brakes one day.
The rear seat can be split and folded, so if you do need to transport longer items like that baby buggy, it should be possible. The Picanto's boot floor is adjustable and lifting heavier items into it is easily done.
Verdict
While we do love the Picanto for what it is and what it offers, we see it as more of a student/young adult's car. While it's just you and your one baby and perhaps one primary school child, the Picanto will suffice if you don't travel with the stroller (many moms opt for a baby carrier instead to save themselves the hassle), but there are a multitude of other compact cars out there that may cause less of a headache when you are folding and stowing prams and child seats. The other downside to this specific Kia is that there's no service plan. However, it has a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
(*Please bear in mind that prices are subject to change, but were correct at the time this article was published.)
