2018 Kia Picanto

KIA’S Picanto, also known as a New Morning in some countries, has certainly dawned as a very bright light in the city car segment.

The sturdily-built and cute-as-a-button hatchlet is a big improvement on the earlier model and comes pretty much fully loaded with features, a rarity in its price category.

Also, it has a 7-year warranty, with unlimited distance, and no other car on the market, let alone in the sub-$20K class, comes within cooee of that.

Refreshingly, there’s just one choice of Picanto: five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, with respective drive-away prices of $14,190 and $15,690.

Check out previous review of 2017 Kia Picanto

For 2018 the car has a wider, more aggressive-looking grille, restyled head and taillights and a smoother body.

But the main changes are inside.

The wheelbase is now 15mm longer and clever packaging has resulted in more head, shoulder and legroom for front seat occupants and a considerable increase in boot capacity.

The cargo area has been boosted by 55litres to 255, and if you collapse the 60/40 split rear seat, it opens to 1010litres, up a massive 140litres on the earlier car.

The longer wheelbase has also improved ride and comfort, and the dash has been vastly improved with a ‘floating’ 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full smartphone integration.

It includes a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, backed up by rear parking sensors.

Other standard bits are cruise control, auto-on headlights, halogen daylight running lights and keyless entry, USB and aux sockets and heated mirrors.

The front wheel drive cutie is powered by a 62kW/122Nm 1.25-litre petrol unit which produces a modest 62kW, and a slightly improved 122Nm.

The test car had the four-speed auto, which would be the pick for the nation’s increasingly congested roads,

But the manual would certainly be sportier and quicker.

However, it’s a car designed for city use, and as such it’s a beauty.

It’s lively enough around town and the suburbs, uses very little petrol (5.8litres/100km) and has a composed feel on the road.

It’s also easy as pie to park and visibility in all directions is very good.

In the safety department there are six airbags and Vehicle Stability Management with Electronic Stability Control to ensure you stay upright through the corners.

Also, the car is much stronger than before with double the proportion of Advanced High Strength Steel used in its construction.

The Picanto also gets capped price servicing and roadside help throughout its 7-year warranty period.

Verdict: More than a New Morning, it’s a new era in its class. Love it.