2021 Kia Picanto public Review

The 2021 Kia Picanto Public is an A0-class microcar aimed at the urban commuting market. Currently in the Malaysian market, it attracts young consumers with limited budgets and users looking for short city trips due to its practicality and versatility. This test drive aims to comprehensively evaluate its practicality, performance, and value-for-money under local road conditions to see if it can stand out in the highly competitive entry-level market.

In terms of exterior design, the 2021 Picanto Public continues Kia's family-style design language, with an overall compact and agile shape that fits the positioning of a mini car. On the front, the "tiger-nose" grille is moderately sized, paired with sharp headlights on both sides, enhancing its visual identity. The side of the car features simple and smooth lines, and the short wheelbase along with its compact size make it easier to navigate narrow urban streets. The rear design is compact, with horizontally arranged taillights echoing the front design, while the black plastic cladding below the rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness. As for the lighting system, the front headlights use halogen bulbs, which are not as striking as LED lights but are sufficient for daily usage.

Inside the car, the interior adopts a clean and practical design style, with a clear layout for the dashboard, and all function buttons within easy reach. The upper part of the dashboard is covered with hard plastic material, in line with the material standards for this vehicle class. While it lacks a luxurious feel, the overall craftsmanship is considered decent. The central control screen measures 7 inches and supports Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring features, with acceptable operation fluency. The seats are wrapped in fabric material, which, although lacking the texture of leather, performs well in terms of support and comfort for short trips. In terms of configuration, the car is equipped with manual air conditioning, USB charging ports, and a multifunction steering wheel, meeting basic daily needs.

Regarding space, the 2021 Picanto Public has dimensions of 3595×1595×1485mm, with a wheelbase of 2400mm, which is typical for a microcar. Front row space is acceptable; a 175cm passenger seated in the driver's seat will find some headroom and legroom, though not very spacious. The rear row, on the other hand, is relatively cramped; it can feel a bit crowded for two adults and is more suitable for short trips or for children. As for storage space, the trunk capacity is 255L, performing moderately within the same class of vehicles. It can handle daily shopping or short trips, and folding down the rear seats expands it to 1010L, meeting occasional needs for transporting larger items. Additionally, the car features multiple storage compartments inside, convenient for small items such as phones and wallets.

In terms of powertrain, the 2021 Picanto Public is equipped with a 1.2L naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum power of 84 hp and a peak torque of 122 Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. This test drive features the automatic transmission version, which shows slightly delayed power response during start-up, especially when climbing hills or with a full load, requiring a heavier foot on the accelerator to achieve adequate power output. During low to medium speeds, the power performance is stable and suitable for congested urban conditions. However, at high speeds, overtaking requires sufficient preparation time. As for driving modes, the car offers both Economy and Sport modes. In Economy mode, the power output is smoother and suited for daily commutes; in Sport mode, throttle response is more sensitive, and power output sees slight improvement.

In terms of handling performance, the steering wheel feels light, making it suitable for female drivers or city driving, but it lacks road feedback, and the steering wheel feels slightly unstable at high speeds. The suspension system adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, which is tuned for comfort, filtering out most road vibrations. However, when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, rear-seat passengers will feel noticeable vibrations. The chassis performs relatively solid overall, with body roll during cornering controlled within acceptable limits, and the stability during daily driving is decent.

Regarding fuel consumption performance, actual tests show that in urban congested conditions, fuel consumption is approximately 7.5L/100km; on highways, it is about 5.8L/100km, and the combined fuel consumption is around 6.5L/100km. For a 1.2L microcar, this fuel consumption is at a medium level compared to similar models. As for braking performance, the brake pedal travel is moderate, the braking force output is linear, and the vehicle remains stable during emergency braking without significant nosedive.

In terms of driving comfort, the vehicle's noise control performance is average, with noticeable wind and tire noise during high-speed driving, which can affect conversations inside the car. The seat support is somewhat insufficient during long-distance drives, which may cause fatigue. Additionally, the automatic transmission shows slight jerking during gear shifts, especially when driving at low speeds, which affects the overall driving smoothness to some extent.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2021 Kia Picanto public are its compact and flexible body size, practical configurations, and relatively affordable price. Compared to competitors in the same class, its space performance and power output are at a medium level, but it stands out in terms of brand reliability and ease of maintenance. This car is more suitable for young consumers or family users with limited budgets who primarily use it for urban commuting, especially those who need to park frequently on narrow streets. If you value practicality and cost-effectiveness in a vehicle and do not have high demands for power and space, the 2021 Kia Picanto public is a worthy choice to consider.