The Kia Picanto – Kia’s smallest car – gets a three-door body, for the first time in its history, mainly to meet the demands of the European market which tends to like 3-door A-segment cars just as much as their more practical 5-door siblings.
According to Kia, the market for A-segment cars (Picanto-sized city cars) will be about 2.4 million units in 2014, and 3.3 million by 2015. And about a third of this demand will be for 3-door A-segment cars, so without this 3-door Picanto, Kia will have no car to offer to this 1 million odd buyers. In the UK, the split between 5-door and 3-door are even closer 55 to 45 between the 5 and 3 door.
Kia did not simply remove 2 doors and replace them with fixed sheet metal. The main grille opening is larger than that on the five-door and is available with silver or red trim surrounds. The front bumper has been re-profiled to make the car appear wider and lower. There are also new doors, rear panels and glass aft of the A-pillar. The rear bumper has a faux diffuser design as well.
There are two petrol engine options – a 1.0 litre and a 1.25 litre from the Kappa family, making 68hp/95Nm and 84hp/121Nm respectively. Look after the jump for a small gallery of the Picanto 3-door.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments mostly praise the Kia Picanto 3-door for its stylish design, compact size, and suitability for city driving, with many fans excitedly requesting the launch in Malaysia. Some highlight the car's good fuel efficiency, modern features like start-stop ignition, and improved interior. There are positive remarks about its reliability, affordability of spare parts, and overall value compared to other models. A few discussions mention the recall of earlier versions due to fuel meter issues and maintenance concerns, but these are generally overshadowed by enthusiasm for the latest model. Overall, sentiments are generally favorable, emphasizing the Picanto's appealing look, features, and suitability as a city car, with some comparing it favorably to other hatchbacks like the Myvi and Vios.