SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Still piquant: 2017 Kia Picanto 1.25 Smart

Almost handsome

Pics by Kia@Motorpress
Posted: 19 October 2017

The numbers
Price: R195 995
Engine: 1248 cc DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder
Power: 61 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 122 Nm at 4000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 10.7 seconds
Maximum speed: 173 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 5.8 l/100 km
Tank: 35 litres
Luggage: 255 – 1010 litres
Warranty: 5 years, unlimited km
Roadside assistance: 3 years unlimited km
Service plans: 2 years/30 000 km at about R4000 to 5 years/90 000 km at about R16 800


A line in an old movie ran: “When the light strikes him in a certain way, he’s almost handsome.” Much the same could be said of Kia’s recently remodelled Picanto city car. Where the old one was deeply sculpted and chunky, with an almost Hitler-esque moustache for a grille, the new car is altogether smoother with remodelled lights, grille, lower air intake, side panels and rear end. The inside boasts new instruments and vents, updated equipment and restyled dash and steering wheel. One could almost call this Generation-3 model handsome. Almost.

Whereas the previous range consisted of seven models using two engines and was spread over three equipment levels, Kia SA decided to bet on more purchasers being obliged to buy down. That’s why you now have a choice of 11 Picanti spread over four trim levels and the same pair of engines, now down-rated slightly (it’s only on paper). The new range, like the old, offers automatic transmission on three versions. Both top-level Smart versions, one-litre and 1.25, come only in five-speed manual.

Prices range from R135 000 for a basic 998 cc, three-cylinder Start to R196 000 for the 1248 cc, four-cylinder Smart. Start level provides either engine coupled with two airbags, ISOFix anchors with top tethers to accept the new iSize chairs, manual air conditioner, fabric upholstery, 13” steel wheels, electric power steering with tilt adjustable column, split rear seats, a trip computer, high mounted stop lamp and a two-speaker RDS radio with MP3, Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary.

By the time you get up to Smart level (again, either engine but still with only two airbags) you will have acquired voice activation, remote central locking with alarm and immobiliser, elevation adjustment for the driver’s seat, an adjustable centre armrest, steering wheel remotes, electric window winders, mud flaps, 15” alloy wheels and vanity mirrors on the visors. The driver’s one is lit.

Lighting and safety kit includes ABS, front fog lights, DRLs, bi-function projection headlights with automatic control, LED rear lamps, heated and folding side mirrors with indicator repeaters, rear parking distance control and reversing camera with guide lines. Other neat stuff includes a supervision cluster, 7” Multimedia audio system with six speakers and Apple CarPlay (Android Auto isn’t available in SA yet) and combination leather/cloth upholstery.

As expected of advancing technology, the new shell is stronger and more rigid. Unexpected is that its wheelbase is 15 mm longer although body length stays the same. Front overhang is now 25 mm shorter (cuts 20 centimetres off your turning circle for easier manoeuvrability) but that means the rear overhang grew by 10 mm – like you’re going to notice it?  Usable benefits include more interior space, a dash lifted by 15 mm to make life easier for shorter drivers, 55 litres more luggage room and a lower step height to make entry and exit easier.

Suspension modifications help it handle better and reduce nosedive while a quicker steering ratio makes it easier to drive. Noise and vibration reduction measures have made it the quietest vehicle in its class – only 39 dB at idle and 68 at cruising speed.

So what is it like to drive? The 1248 cc Kappa ll engine in our test car develops 61 kilowatts of power at 6000 rpm and 122 Newton metres of torque at 4000. This sounds like a common sort of combination but the secret is in the delivery. Although torque output peaks at 4000 rpm, the engine maintains a very useful 100-plus Nm between 2000 and 5800 revs.

It isn’t a flat band such as you would find in a turbo motor; it does still curve upward and then down again, but it maintains a steady surge of energy until power peaks in a flat line from about 5300 to 6200 rpm. It pulls like a carthorse; possibly not a Clydesdale but maybe a plucky little Shetland pony like those that hauled coal out of Welsh mines way back when. What it means to you is a perky little car that feels quick and unstoppable.

Helping it on its way, the five-speed manual box shifts quickly and smoothly with each gear clicking quietly into place. The conventional hand brake is, after that, a bit
disappointing. It works well enough but feels sloppy. And while we’re being picky we found that the car’s high waistline makes it almost impossible to reverse park between painted lines in parking lots. That’s when you’ll be glad you found the extra money for a Smart version with its back-up camera.

On the plus side, however, the Picanto is solidly built and well finished, has plenty of luggage space for a small car and is pretty well equipped for its price. It’s also stylish if not quite handsome, although when the light strikes it in a certain way…

Test unit from Kia Motors SA press fleet

We tested its X-Line successor in 2021



What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

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Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

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