Kia Picanto X-Line test drive: Make sure to check these features out

1. Bespoke, X-Line-specific design details

From the aggressive front bumper and full LED-headlamps to faux skid-plate detailing and LED light signature at the rear, the Kia Picanto X-Line looks ready to take on the city, the suburbs, highways, dirt, and gravel. Also check out the crossover-inspired body cladding, mud guards and the stylish 15-inch alloy wheels!

 

2. A new 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear-view camera

Smartphone mirroring and a rearview camera are must-haves these days. The X-Line comes fitted with these mod-cons as standard, but all the regular Picantos (except for the entry-level START models) also come equipped with these features.

 

3. Two-tone leather upholstery

This is X-Line specific and uplifts the general cabin ambience to new heights. Apart from looking contemporary and upbeat, it's also much easier to clean, especially if you have little ones driving along. Cleverly-placed storage binnacles for smaller items add to a fuss-free ownership experience.

 

4. Kia's much-loved 1.25MPI engine with 61 kW and 122 Nm

This engine offers a few more kilowatts than most cars in this segment, allowing for peppy performance and less-stressful overtaking maneuvers. The Picanto X-Line feels stable and planted at highway speeds, yet it's no heavy drinker. Kia's official figure for fuel usage is rated at 5.0 litres per 100 km for the manual and 5.9 for the automatic models.

 

5. Excellent road-holding and that fun-to-drive factor

The Picanto X-Line doesn't have higher ground clearance than the rest of the Picantos, unfortunately, but when you're hitting your favourite twisty road, this is a plus point. On my way from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond, Clarence Drive was completely deserted, and I could really let the Picanto's hair down in a succession of quick corners. This reminded just how well the Picanto has been engineered.

Safety is also taken care of thanks to a high-strength steel body-shell and solid torsional rigidity. ABS, ISOFIX, Datadot, and dual front airbags are standard features.

 

Current pricing for Kia Picanto and Kia Picanto X-Line models:

Picanto 1.0 Manual START	R187 995
Picanto 1.0 Automatic START	R201 995
Picanto 1.0 Manual STREET	R201 995
Picanto 1.0 Automatic STREET	R215 995
Picanto 1.0 Manual STREET	R211 995
Picanto 1.0 Automatic STYLE	R225 995
Picanto 1.2 Manual STYLE	R210 995
Picanto 1.2 Automatic STYLE	R224 995
Picanto 1.2 Manual STYLE	R220 995
Picanto 1.2 Automatic STYLE	R234 995
Picanto 1.2 Manual X-Line	R237 995
Picanto 1.2 Automatic X-Line	R251 995
Picanto 1.0 Manual Runner	R207 995

Please note that pricing is correct as per April 2021. Visit the KIA SA website for the latest pricing.