Kia Picanto 2021 Review

The A-segment small car market has always been the first choice for entry-level users and city commuters in Malaysia. With its flexible body, low operating costs, and adequate configuration, this type of vehicle has consistently maintained high attention. The 2021 Kia Picanto Public, as a popular player in this segment, has attracted a lot of attention with its more youthful design, upgraded smart features, and stable power performance. This time, we got a test car, and the main purpose is to see whether it can truly meet the actual needs of local users in daily commuting, city parking, and occasional short trips.

From a distance, the overall style of the 2021 Picanto Public looks more aggressive compared to the previous generation. The front adopts Kia's family-style "Tiger Nose" grille, but its size has been adjusted. Paired with sharp front headlights on both sides, the front end appears wider and more sporty. The headlights integrate LED daytime running lights, which are highly recognizable when lit, making this feature a highlight in the same class. The lines on the side of the body are simple and neat, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, complemented by 14-inch alloy wheels (although the size is not large, the design is quite refined). The overall proportions are harmonious and do not give off a "cramped" feeling. The rear design is relatively simple, with horizontally arranged taillights that also incorporate LED elements, echoing the front. The black plastic trim on the lower part of the rear bumper and the hidden single-side exhaust add a touch of youthfulness to the rear. Overall, the exterior design of the Picanto Public balances the agile attributes of an A-segment small car and enhances its stylishness through detailed adjustments, perfectly catering to the aesthetics of young users.

Sitting inside, the first impression is that the interior materials and craftsmanship are better than expected. The dashboard uses a lot of hard plastic, but the surface has been textured, avoiding a cheap look. Silver trim is added around the air conditioning vents, center display, and gear shift area, enhancing the sophistication of the interior. The center console layout is very intuitive. The 8-inch touchscreen is located above the dashboard with decent resolution and smooth operation. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity—a very practical feature for local users since daily navigation and music listening heavily rely on phone integration. The air conditioning control area below retains physical buttons and knobs with moderate resistance, making blind operation very convenient without needing to lower your head to look for screen buttons while driving. The seats are wrapped in fabric material, with ample padding. The backrest and seat cushion provide good support, making long periods of sitting comfortable without feeling fatigued. The driver's seat supports manual height adjustment, while the passenger's seat offers four-direction manual adjustments, meeting basic posture adjustment needs.

In terms of dimensions, the 2021 Picanto Public measures 3595mm/1595mm/1485mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 2400mm—a typical A-segment car size. The front space is completely adequate for passengers up to 175cm tall, with about a fist of headroom and sufficient legroom. The rear space is a standard A-segment performance: a 170cm tall passenger has about two fingers of legroom and a fist of headroom. This is fine for short trips, but long trips might feel a bit cramped. As for storage capabilities, the front door pockets can fit two bottles of water, and there is a storage slot with a USB port under the center console for placing a phone. The capacity of the central armrest box is not large but can hold some small items like keys and wallets. The trunk has a standard volume of 255L, which can fit two 20-inch suitcases. If you need to load larger items, the rear seats can be folded down, expanding the volume to 1010L. This makes it suitable for occasionally carrying small furniture or luggage. Notably, the rear is equipped with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port—rare features in this vehicle class that cater to the comfort and charging needs of rear passengers.

In terms of power, the 2021 Picanto Public is equipped with a 1.2L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, with a maximum power of 84PS and a maximum torque of 115N·m, paired with a 4AT gearbox. This power combination is fully adequate for urban commuting. The power response is quite brisk during startup, and the acceleration is noticeable when you step on the pedal, without feeling "sluggish." While driving on urban roads, maintaining a speed in the range of 2000-3000rpm provides sufficient power reserves, making overtaking or changing lanes effortless. However, on highways, the power performance becomes somewhat lacking — accelerating beyond 100km/h requires stepping deeper on the throttle, with the engine revving up to over 4000rpm, and the noise becomes significantly louder. Nevertheless, it can still reach a cruising speed of 120km/h, though the acceleration process is not as smooth. There are two driving modes to choose from, Normal and Eco. In Eco mode, throttle response becomes somewhat mellow, making it suitable for congested road sections and helps to save fuel consumption to a certain extent.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel feels light, making it easy to park at low speeds, even with one hand for female drivers. At high speeds, the steering becomes steadier, and the directional control is fairly accurate. When turning corners, the vehicle's follow-through is quite good. The suspension system is a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, tuned more towards comfort. While driving in urban areas, it absorbs speed bumps and minor jolts effectively, allowing for a smooth ride without significant vibrations felt inside the cabin. On bumpy roads, the suspension quickly absorbs shocks without causing excessive wobbling of the car body. However, when taking sharp turns, due to its relatively high body and soft suspension, there is noticeable body roll and one needs to slow down. The brake pedal offers a linear feel, and braking force is released evenly. During emergency braking, the car remains stable and does not veer off course.

Fuel consumption is a concern for many. In our test drive, which was mainly urban commuting with some highway driving, the average fuel consumption was approximately 6.2L per 100km. In heavily congested urban traffic, fuel consumption rises to about 7L, whereas on highways it can drop to around 5.5L. These results position it at an above-average level among vehicles in the same class, keeping everyday running costs low. In terms of noise control, the cabin is very quiet when driving at low speeds, with minimal tire and engine noise. Once the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise starts to intrude from the A-pillar and the side mirrors, and tire noise gradually increases as well. However, it does not interfere with normal conversations and remains within an acceptable range.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2021 Kia Picanto Public are evident: stylish appearance, solid interior build quality, practical features (especially smartphone connectivity and rear air vents), sufficient power for urban commutes, and good fuel economy. Compared to the Perodua Myvi in the same class, the Picanto Public boasts a younger and more stylish design as well as a better interior texture. Compared to the Proton Iriz, it offers lower fuel consumption and more affordable maintenance costs. Overall, it is very suitable for young users with limited budgets who value practicality and fuel efficiency, such as fresh graduates or small families for daily commutes. It can fulfill the needs of commuting, grocery shopping, and even short family outings on weekends. If you're looking for an easy-to-drive, easy-to-park car with adequate features and low costs, the 2021 Kia Picanto Public is worth considering.