2019 Kia Picanto 1.2 EX AT Review

The Malaysia A-segment market has always been a core choice for urban commuters and small families. Vehicles in this category need to balance practicality, features, and price within a limited size. The 2019 Kia Picanto 1.2 EX AT has attracted considerable attention with its class-leading features like 6 airbags and keyless entry, all at a price of less than RM50,000. In this test drive, we focus on evaluating if it can simultaneously meet the convenience of daily commuting, the safety needs of family use, and the flexibility for urban parking.

From its appearance, the design of the Picanto 1.2 EX AT leans towards being youthful and dynamic. The front adopts Kia's family signature "tiger-nose" grille, paired with blacked-out fog lights, giving it high recognizability. The side profile is simple, with 14-inch tires and a vehicle length of 3595mm that is well-proportioned and doesn’t look too thin. The sharp design of the LED combination tail lights at the rear complements the front design, making the overall styling memorable within the A-segment category. As for lighting features, automatic headlights and daytime running lights come as standard, making it convenient for daily use.

Sitting inside, the interior is predominantly black, with a clear layout of the center console. A touchscreen is equipped in the central area, offering moderate operation smoothness and supporting basic multimedia functionalities. The audio quality from the 6 speakers is decent for its class and sufficient for daily music enjoyment. Regarding materials, due to cost constraints, most areas use hard plastics, but places like the door armrests, which are frequently touched, are wrapped with soft materials, giving it a decent texture. The standout features include keyless entry/start, which saves the hassle of searching for keys, 6 airbags (including front and rear curtain airbags) that are rare in the A-segment category, and ISOFIX mounts, which make it more convenient for families with children.

Space performance is a key aspect of A-segment vehicles. With a 2400mm wheelbase, the Picanto 1.2 EX AT ranks as mainstream in its class. The front-row seating provides enough space for passengers around 175cm tall, with about a fist's worth of headroom and legroom. The rear seats are comfortable for two adults, though the slightly raised floor in the middle lessens the long-term comfort for the center occupant. The trunk offers 255L of storage capacity, which fits two 20-inch carry-on suitcases easily. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split to increase space for larger items. In terms of storage capability, the door pockets can hold two bottles, and there is a small storage compartment under the center console, suitable for phones or loose change, meeting basic practicality needs.

In the power department, the 1.2L turbocharged engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 84PS with peak torque output at 4000rpm, paired with an AT gearbox. During daily driving, the initial response is not particularly quick, but it provides smooth trailing in congested city traffic. After accelerating to 60km/h, the power output becomes more linear. However, overtaking requires pressing the throttle harder and the gearbox has a slight delay in downshifting, but it is entirely adequate for typical A-segment commuting scenarios. There is only a standard driving mode without many options, but it aligns with the car's positioning.

The handling and chassis performance lean towards comfort. The steering wheel feels light, making parking or U-turns very effortless, and it becomes slightly heavier at higher speeds, offering decent stability. The suspension system is softly tuned, effectively absorbing speed bumps or small jolts in urban environments, but there is some noticeable body roll during cornering, making it more suitable for steady driving. In terms of braking, the front ventilated disc and rear disc brakes deliver linear braking force, providing sufficient confidence for daily use.

In fuel consumption tests, the actual fuel consumption for urban driving (a mix of traffic congestion and ring roads) is approximately 6.2L/100km, and about 5.5L/100km at highway speeds (90-110km/h cruising). This is slightly higher than the official figure of 5.8L/100km but remains within the normal range for vehicles of this class, considering real-world urban commuting conditions. Regarding noise control, tire and engine noise are not particularly noticeable below 60km/h, and wind noise increases at higher speeds, but it remains within an acceptable range and does not interfere with conversations inside the car.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2019 Kia Picanto 1.2 EX AT are its "class-leading features" and "balanced practicality." Compared to competitors like the Perodua Myvi or Proton Iriz, its features such as 6 airbags and keyless entry are more standout, while the price is kept below RM50K, making it very cost-effective. It is clearly suitable for a specific group of people: city commuters with limited budgets who prioritize safety features, or users looking for a second family car that’s easy to drive and park. If your needs include daily commuting, occasionally carrying family members, and placing importance on safety and convenient features, the Picanto 1.2 EX AT is a reliable choice within the A-segment.