CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 34.4%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 4.3 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 1,300
Average Price: Around £10,300

Kia Picanto (2017-2026) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Decent-sized boot for a city car	Ride could be smoother
Long warranty from new	No electric version
Low running costs	Entry-level trim lacks key equipment

Quick Summary

The Kia Picanto (2017-2026) is a funky-looking city car that delivers excellent value without sacrificing creature comforts or safety. This third-generation model has received two facelifts (2020 and 2024) to keep it fresh, offering a wide choice of trim levels and engine options across its lifecycle. The 255-litre boot is one of the largest in its class, expanding to 1,010 litres with the rear seats folded. Build quality is solid for the price point, and the spacious interior provides decent headroom, though some rivals offer more legroom.

Early models offered a choice of 1.0-litre (66bhp) and 1.25-litre (83bhp) petrol engines, with a turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDi (99bhp) introduced in 2017 for those seeking warm hatch performance. The 1.25-litre was discontinued at the 2020 facelift, and the turbo followed at the 2024 update, leaving the standard 1.0-litre as the sole option today. Real-world fuel economy averages around 50mpg from the smaller engine and 45mpg from the turbo. Insurance premiums are very affordable, sitting between groups 1 and 11 of 50. The Picanto's ride is comfortable though not the smoothest, and steering is light for easy town manoeuvring. Running costs are low, with servicing required every year or 10,000 miles.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a well-equipped, practical city car with excellent warranty coverage and low running costs, and those wanting a warm hatch alternative (turbocharged models).

Not ideal for: Drivers prioritising the smoothest ride quality or those seeking an electric city car option, or buyers wanting maximum equipment on entry-level trims.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Picanto if: You're seeking a well-equipped, practical city car with excellent warranty coverage and low running costs, or looking for an affordable warm hatch option (turbocharged models).

Consider alternatives if: You prioritise the smoothest ride quality, require an electric city car option, or want maximum equipment on entry-level trims.

Competitive Position: The Kia Picanto (2017-2026) is a strong contender in the city car market, offering excellent value, a spacious interior, and low running costs. Whilst the Hyundai i10 edges ahead with a smoother ride and higher expert rating, and the Nissan Qashqai offers more deals, the Picanto delivers a complete package with its long warranty, solid build quality, and wide engine choice on earlier models. It's a legitimate alternative to the Volkswagen Up and outperforms the Suzuki Celerio, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers who don't want to compromise on comfort or equipment.

Read our full Kia Picanto Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.