When the first generation Kia Picanto hit sales in 2004, it was a very decent car which actually did good things for Kia.
It wasn't really sensational though.
That wasn't the same for the second generation Picanto, which arrived in 2011.
Exactly the era in which Kia and Hyundai were moving up in the world.
Back then, the Kia Picanto and its twin, the Hyundai i10, we're the best cars in the A-segment.
And that was something we had never seen before, seeing a Korean car, or even two Korean cars...
...leading the segment and winning multi tests wherever they could.
In AutoWeek at least...
So that's nice. It wasn't a coincidence either,
Kia really did their best to get their game up globally, but also in the Netherlands.
If you take the Netherlands, you'll see Kia is the best selling Asian brand,
they're number one in private sales, they're in the top 5 of total car sales,
and the second Kia Picanto even was the best selling vehicle in the Netherlands.
And here's a completely new generation; the third Kia Picanto.
Of course, Kia was still happy with the success of the previous generation,
so they haven't drastically changed it.
So you might wonder if it's a new one, or maybe a very radical facelift.
But it is a completely new car.
Even though it is a new car, the measurements are nearly the same.
It's just as wide and long as its predecessor, but it's a tad higher and the wheelbase has been extended,
which improves the legroom for the rear passengers.
The previous Picanto looked pretty good as well, especially for an A-segment car.
It had a tough, wannabe-nose with a tiger nose-grille, but with this, they step it up even more.
Sure, this is the GT-version. A GT-Line... On a Picanto... Yep...
You can recognize the GT by checking the grille, which has red inserts,
bigger air vents, tougher looking fog lights,
and more agressive looking headlights. Stuff the normal Picanto doesn't have.
Of course, space is very important in a A-segment car.
Sure, it's not very spacious, and that's something you may expect from a car like this,
but look at this. I'm behind myself now.
Sure, I'm relatively far to the front for a good steering position, and even though my knees hit the seat, I'm good in here.
If I put up the head rest, I'll be able to cope back here.
Even for long distances.
Sure, a vacation down south might be a bit extreme, but it's pretty doable with my 1,83 m.
So that's good.
If the driver likes to put his seat more back, it's a whole other story. Something for you guys to fight about.
Even though the car hasn't been lengthened, the boot has been improved when it comes to litres.
It now fits 255 litres. It's not very big, but it fits a crate.
In a lot of A-segment cars they want to have so much room in the rear, the boot almost becomes non-existent.
In this however, there's just enough space left.
It's very handy that you can move the rear seats forward, that way you control the luggage space.
In this segment, this is above average.
One of the things the previous Picanto really scored some points with, was the interior.
The finishing was very good and you couldn't really see the body anymore.
Everything was covered neatly. Sure, you could say it was all cheap plastic,
but then again; it's still the A-segment.
It was quite the step when compared to its rivals though.
With this third generation Picanto, Kia uses the same trick again.
If you look at what this car gives you for an A-segment car... The finishing is very good and I even have leather seats.
Also, the climate control looks very good. Or the AUX-ports; USB as well as a mini jack port.
Then, the multimedia system. Of course, it isn't standard, just like a lot of other things in this GT version.
The leather steering wheel, or armrest for example.
But a system like this in a A-segment car, it really lifts this car up to the next level.
Kia knows they beat a lot of rivals on this aspect.
Also, the seating position is quite good. You're positioned relatively low,
which is nice. You've got slightly more room for your knees,
because they've raised the edges of the dashboard a little, which gives you a very spacious impression,
even though it's such a small car.
The seats themselves are decent, although I find them a tad small.
Like they're not aimed at tall Europeans.
The drivetrain then. Right now, there are two engines available.
You've got a 1.0-litre engine producing 66 horsepower, and a 1.2-litre which produces 84 horsepower.
Right now we're driving the 1.2, and that's the engine you want.
Especially if you're going to use the car for commuting, or as a first family car.
If you're only going to use it as a second car for in the city, the 1.0-litre might be worth a consideration,
but the 1.2-litre is a very nice engine, if you have to go on the motorway for example.
This fall, a 1.0-litre turbo producing 100 horsepower will also become available. Of course, that's going to be a very nice engine,
and I could say 'that's the one you should want', but we're waiting for the prices.
100 horsepower is quite a lot for a car like this. Sure, it's fun, but it isn't really necessary.
And maybe it'll get too expensive, which makes the 1.2 a more attractive alternative.
We'll have to wait and see.
I've always been quite enthusiastic about the Picanto, but of course there were some drawbacks.
That was mostly because of the feeling. The steering was light and it didn't really give a lot of feedback,
the gearbox was a little bit soft... Stuff in which the Volkswagen Up and Seat Mii felt more grown up in.
That's something Kia took into consideration, which means this car has improved on those grounds.
The steering is more direct than it was. It gives you more feedback and more feeling.
Also, the understeer has been rectified. Especially on wet surfaces, it was quite understeered.
You might've noticed, that isn't something I was able to test in this weather.
It was partly because of the tyres, but generally speaking, the damping has improved as well now,
so there's more traction on the wheels. I expect it to be better, no matter what tyres the car wears.
Then, the gearbox. It was a lot more soft than it is now.
Sure, it isn't the best in its class now, but you do notice it's got more feeling to it now.
And that shows how Kia and Hyundai take care of things.
They make a product, they deliver it, they ask the press and the public what they think of it,
then, it receives criticism or improvements are pointed out, Kia and Hyundai listen,
they improve the product, and then they present the improved product to us again.
They really incorporate the feedback into their new cars.
That system of trial and error is the reason...
...Kia and Hyundai have been moving up in the world in the past 10 years.
Also, that's why this Picanto has stepped up a notch in the A-segment again.
I'll admit it isn't the best car in the segment, take the Opel Karl for example, that's very good.
The new i10 as well. This is in the top range though.
It can absolutely fight for the 'Best in Class'-crown.
Especially when you take the space in consideration.
We'll have to wait for the turbo, but the engines are good as well. Also, the finishing, the spaciousness...
...it just has everything nice you want to expect from a A-segment car.
I'm pretty certain current Picanto-drivers won't be disappointed, if they were to get a new one like this...