Kia Picanto 2017 Review

With the increasing demand for urban commuting, the A0-class microcar market remains popular due to its flexible commuting attributes. The 2017 Kia Picanto Public, as a popular choice in this segment, attracts many cost-conscious consumers with its budget-friendly positioning and practical features. The primary purpose of this test drive is to evaluate its overall performance in daily commuting and short-distance travel scenarios, and to see whether this small car can truly meet the core needs of urban users.

The exterior design of the 2017 Picanto Public leans towards a round and cute style, with a compact overall silhouette well-suited for navigating narrow urban streets. The front features Kia's signature "tiger-nose" grille, which is not very large in size, paired with oval-shaped headlights on both sides, offering decent recognition. The side profile is simple, with no overly complex design elements. The 14-inch steel wheels come as standard equipment and look fairly standard. At the rear, vertically-aligned taillights blend well with the rear bumper, and a small spoiler at the top edge of the trunk adds a touch of sportiness. Regarding the lighting system, the headlights utilize halogen bulbs, which, although offering average brightness, are adequate for nighttime driving. The tail lights are also halogen, and the brake lights illuminate quickly, providing effective alerts to vehicles behind.

Upon opening the door, the interior features a predominantly black color scheme, with the dashboard boasting a simple and clear layout. Due to cost constraints, most areas are covered with hard plastic, but the seam control is relatively consistent, so it doesn’t look overly cheap. The center console is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display with average resolution but decent operational smoothness. It supports Bluetooth connectivity and basic multimedia functions, which are sufficient for daily use. The steering wheel features a three-spoke design, with physical buttons on the left side for volume adjustment, Bluetooth calling, and more, making it convenient to operate. The seats are fabric-covered, and their cushions and backrests are relatively soft. The front seats support manual adjustments for forward/backward movement and backrest angle, providing basic support and comfort. The rear seat space is moderate, with a passenger of 170cm height having about a fist’s worth of legroom and three fingers of headroom. While fine for short trips, it might feel a bit cramped for longer journeys. As for storage space, the front door pockets can hold two bottles of water, and there’s a small storage compartment below the center console that can fit a phone or wallet. The trunk has a standard capacity of 255L, which can be expanded to 1010L with the rear seats folded down, sufficient for daily shopping or luggage for short trips.

In terms of performance, the 2017 Picanto Public is powered by a 1.0L naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum power output of 51kW (69PS) and a maximum torque of 96N·m, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the initial power output is relatively smooth, and it takes a moment after stepping on the accelerator to feel a response, making it suitable for users who prefer a stable driving experience. During acceleration, the transmission has clear shift logic, though there’s a slight jerk when shifting gears, particularly noticeable at low speeds. When overtaking, it requires a firm press on the accelerator to downshift; at this point, the engine rpm increases rapidly, providing a brief burst of power. However, this power surge doesn’t last long, making it suitable for short-distance overtaking within city roads.

In terms of handling performance, the steering wheel is relatively light, with decent precision and no obvious play. It is very nimble to operate when parking or making a U-turn in the city. The chassis uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension setup, which is tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, and the body does not exhibit significant bouncing. However, when encountering larger potholes, rear passengers may feel a certain level of impact. During high-speed driving, the body stability is average, and there is a slight feeling of floatiness when the speed exceeds 100 km/h. It is recommended to maintain driving within the speed limit.

In terms of fuel consumption, actual tests showed that the combined fuel consumption on urban roads is about 6.5L/100km, and about 5.8L/100km on highways. Overall, this performance meets the expectations for a microcar, offering decent fuel efficiency. Regarding noise control, the engine noise is relatively low at idle, but it becomes noticeably audible inside the cabin when the rpm exceeds 3000. When driving at high speeds, wind noise and tire noise are also quite obvious, requiring an increase in volume to clearly hear the car’s music. As for seat comfort, the fabric seats have good breathability, avoiding a feeling of heat during extended sitting. However, the backrest angle of the rear seats is relatively upright and lacks support, making long journeys prone to fatigue.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2017 Kia Picanto Public lie in its compact and agile body, practical storage space, and relatively economical fuel consumption. Compared with the Suzuki Alto of the same class, the Picanto Public offers a larger trunk space and more features. However, its performance in terms of power and fuel economy is slightly inferior to the Alto. This car is suitable for users who prioritize cost-effectiveness and primarily need it for city commuting and short trips, especially young consumers on a budget or as a second car for families.

In summary, the 2017 Kia Picanto Public is a city microcar with a clear positioning. Although it has some shortcomings in power and noise control, it adequately meets the daily travel needs of urban users with its nimble body, practical features, and economical fuel consumption. If you are looking for an affordable and easy-to-drive commuting vehicle, this car is worth considering.