The second-generation Kia Picanto is now in Malaysia, with an official launch scheduled for the first half of next month. The A-segment five-door hatch was previewed at Naza Kia’s roadshow in Sunway Pyramid over the weekend, and we were there for a closer look and to dig for some info from the sales personnel.
UPDATE: Pricing for the Picanto has been confirmed – RM54,888 for the M/T and RM59,888 for the A/T, OTR with insurance. Test drive report here.
According to a friendly SA, the car you see here is the exact local spec car, which is officially classified as a locally-assembled model. Like big brother Rio, the Picanto will be delivered with Kia badges. The TA Picanto is powered by a 1.25 litre Kappa engine, which has 87 hp/120 Nm in the current and next-gen Hyundai i10.
This four-cylinder CVVT engine is paired to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox – yes, Naza Kia will be offering a manual here as well, which is pretty surprising given the traditionally low take up rate for stick shift variants. We’re not complaining.
Perhaps more surprising is the standard safety kit list, which includes ABS, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six airbags for BOTH the manual and the automatic, we were told, in addition to all-round disc brakes, which is uncommon in this segment.
As you can see from the cabin shots below (display car was locked), the Picanto will also come with steering wheel controls for the factory audio system. Phone buttons sit on the right steering spoke, hinting at the availability of Bluetooth pairing. We zoomed in and spotted manual air con and auto headlamps, too. LED DRLs and distinctive claw-style LED rear signature lighting add some pizzazz.
According to the SA, the estimated price range is from below RM60,000 to around RM64,000 for the auto. The cheaper manual is expected to lose out on some toys such as keyless entry with push start button. An ad of the new Picanto has appeared on our sister classifieds site oto.my, and you can view it here.
It all sounds pretty good for a small car, and the Picanto looks rather cute as well. What do you think?
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Too late, bought Myvi facelift. :(
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RM60K-64K price? Naza listen to market survey or MITI advice???
Must be Perodua don’t want them sell below RM60k
luckily you act earlier.
What is this, toy look alike car, kia is hiring small kid as designer…..
Better than the useless junk ugly Vios.
Big T… Small B (brain)
For sure it will tapau Dugong!hahaha…
It wouldn’t tapau dugong for sure…dugong is a different segment car.
This Kia Picanto would not sell due to people’s perception on Korean brand let alone its pricing.
-RM10K makes more sense.
Wrong,this car will sell well.You see,even an A-segment car have 6 airbags and ESP.Whereas that useless junk Vios?Nothing!!Well done Naza Kia,the most successful car distributor in Malaysia!!
The 2 drum brakes in the new Vios J told me stay away from it. Even my mum’s 1964 China made bicycle has drum brakes!
Only stupid Malaysians believe Korean cars are of bad quality. Times have change and Koreans made cars are now World beaters except in Malaysia.
fast fwd to now la bro… Korean cars now not the same like 20 yrs ago
How to tapau?! both r high quality import car so don’t fight!
what import? even camry is assembled here. assembled in Thai means nothing to “import”. it ‘s just like any other CKD cars assembled here.
Sorry, i mean the badge ^^ don’t u love import badge? i freaking love it!
Aiya….KIA also imported brand what..
6 airbags with toys and good look under 60K? Damn! It seriously kill Myvi sales.
I am more worried of The Mitsubishi Mirage/Attrage…MMM is depending on that car for their success.
Almera is too big of a car to compare with this.
Mirage??
dude, picanto is A segment..you can’t compare it with Almera..comparable comparison would be Nissan March but TC does not sell it locally..
You obviously didn’t understand his comment before commenting.
If you are used to being bullied and laughed at by your peers while growing up, this car fits perfectly for you.
Go ahead and drive this.
Then observe the amount of funny stares and smirks from other drivers when you maneuver this vomit inducing vehicle on the streets.
Naza should throw in a full face helmet for potential buyers to avoid being recognized in this car.
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Previous Kia picanto only cost rm38k – rm43k !
now this gen rm60k – rm64k just bcoz add on ABS, ESC and six airbag ?
Hehey,that price hike for this 3 things is well worth it,and also for the other stuffs too =D
My wife brought a Picanto at RM46K in year 2005, with only 1 airbag and basic accessories. At one time it was selling quite well worldwide and in Malaysia, with a waiting period of up to 6 months.
Subsequently due to complains from certain parties, the price shoot up to RM67K without any change to the car spec. The sales quickly went down to 0.
The quality of Picanto (CBU) is great, then Naza bring it to CKD become Suria, then it become suck!
Lol at least not like fiesta price hike up to 86k but airbag reduce to only 2.
what they think malaysian life is not valuable?
give excuse like almera that chassis is tough enough to absorb impact?
I’d like to think that it’s because Ringgit no more value… how sad.
“The cheaper manual is expected to lose out on some toys such as keyless entry with push start button”….I ain’t even mad
The fact it has 6-airbags, all round disc and VSC IN A MANUAL, only 3 I can think of has this, the old Fiesta 1.4, CRZ and the Swift Sport. In fact this has boosted high up in my consider list. And I’am sure the Jay Leno chin will grow on me.
PS: I just walked out of Pyramid a moment ago(parked my car there) and I didn’t see this, may take a look as I go back.
Go back to see??How??Kia on Tour event just end yesterday.
Ah….no wonder I didn’t see it just now.
Never mind,I manage to visit there yesterday.
Not bad brooo..
that is it. Myvi is doomed at that price. 6 airbags, ESC, all disc brakes?
Shut up and take my $$$. Well done Kia. Ford, take notes on your new Fiesta.
Unless it retaining 7 airbags for their Ecoboost version.
Although it appears dearer than most P1/P2 offerings given its class, but I must admit it’s reasonably priced for its rather complete safety kit list as standard.
Six airbags? SIX AIRBAGS!
SIX!
SIX!
SIX!
The power of 6 on this A-segment hatch is just awesome =D
Of course!!
Even a B-segment junky new Vios only have 2 airbags.
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Six airbags ?
Does it even inflate on the right time ?
Dudu, nobody can argue on that even for premium models by German Marquees
crash it and you’ll know lor
Aside from people reading auto blog, the general people on street have different criteria on how to spend the rest of their life paying loan:
– price above 55k will be too high for small car like this. They would go for myvi instead
– 2 air bag is enuf, they would prefer to have free high quality tinted instead of extra 4 airbags
– buttons on streering wheel n touch screen gps more important than esc
– push start button would give them more temptation
Good comment.
I noticed that almost all of the new Kias and Hyundais are more expensive (but also better on paper) than the ASEAN-made Japanese cars.
I think Naza/Kia/Hyundai know this, so they’re aiming for the niche & chic market. They know they’ll never be able to compete with the ASEAN Japanese cars because they don’t have the brand image and resale value, which is sad, but true. The only people who would consider a new and expensive Kia are teenagers and young adults (who come from a well-to-do background) because they want something fun and refreshing, and they don’t care about brand image or resale value. The average rakyat just won’t be able to take the price seriously; they still expect Kia and Hyundai to be cheap like the Forte, Atos etc..
I’d still buy this Picanto over a Vios/Almera any day. To me, safety is more important than brand image and resale value.
So you don’t buy Proton anymore? Pathetic hypocrite lah you! Ha Ha Ha
He did not actually say he doesn’t buy Proton anymore. Read carefully. He was just saying that given the choice, he would rather choose the Picanto over a Vios or Almera (note the conspicuous lack of the word Proton).
errmm.. i tend to agree with u…the trend is slowly moving this way, more safety features..
looking back at the old picanto, this new model has improved a lot and deserve some recognition.
having said that tho, i would think most of malaysian still will go for a japanese make with less features and proudly driving them..sad but true
I guess people taste may change. My company staffs, i am seeing more folks upgrading their vios to cerato, focus or even optima. Those who got more money to splurge, they are looking at vw golf/passat. This are working employees, not director or gm.
Resale value is king, erh? Sigh…
hmm i always thought the size/weight of the vehicle actually matter a lot in safety (crashes) due to additional crumple zones and airbags are supplement to the safety provided by the car structure. so a bigger car like vios with 2 airbags might actually be safer than a 6 airbags picanto.
BUT got to give credit for picanto paving the way to better safety level at the a-segment. myvi should also move in this direction WITHOUT much price increase – add safety kit instead of spoilers and blings. we know the myvi can be better equip as it is based on similar daihatsu/toyota models which have all these features. as usual we are shortchanged :(
I think Hyundai Malaysia should follow Kia’s step of adding safety features to their cars.. A CBU veloster only have 2 airbags… Apalagi CKD Sanata fe the badge already buruk.. Only 2 airbags…
Been seeing this car running around Taman Melati area for months now. It’s a yellow color unit with registration numbers and all. Thought that I was the one who missed the launching but then there aren’t any units at the showroom either. :)
Hope this will create more healthy competition to car market in Malaysia with better spec espcially those CKD Jap car. Cheers !
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don’t play play. mazda according to him can beat bmw specs and quality, LOL.
similar to vios that can fly, it does fly! LOL
hats off to Naza. At least they respect manual buyers…
I know people gonna bash me on comparing different segment but to me for premium price better go few grants and get Preve, apart from missing only 2 airbags (but for a big car, its relatively safe as well) got all the toys packed plus more spacious. In this beloved country,
most who buy Kia usually torn between buying the brand or go for Proton anyway..
errmm… this is a city car bro, preve is not…
so get both, picanto for city/daily driver and preve for balik kampung…hihihi
Yeah…but in this time economy, demographically most targeted users in this beloved country prefer to own single car and use it on multipurpose basis..
If people are into proton brand, no matter what price or airbags or even no airbags, people will buy proton.
But looking at the trend, if there’s a budget for people to own non-national brand (yeah people aint patriotic nowadays), they will bite it else why you see even vios with 2 airbags can sell so well knowing it’s a milo tin on 4 wheels when you could have bought other much better safety spec car.
Six airbag? Well done KIA. Whoever is saying that this car with all the safety features is expensive, then i think your life itself is not worth more than 60k…
Sadly, had arguments with my uncles and aunties and most them opt on Resale Value more than ‘Life Value’
Just test drive the new Cerato yesterday and already make a booking. KIA today is not like 5 or 10 years ago. Their quality improve by leaps and bounds. Dun believe? Go test drive yourselve…
Thats why I am one of the new Rio owner.
Lifestyle Rio-lution.
Another Hailat face heading down the low RV path
Their quality may have improved.
Reliability, Durability is more or less the same as before
Resale Value – even lower than 5 years back
Months back saw this car online, it was WOW. Now, it looks tired and outdated.
so small the car. after airbag all come out make feel squash like sandwich
Squash by airbag or squash by metal and glass. You choose.
I was thinking..such a small car with so many airbags…does it really helps?? When kena squash kaw-kaw in accident (touch wood, wish all of you well!), whatever airbag also burst liao…Got use???
This Picanto won the Top Gear Super Mini category for 2012. Imagine, Clarkson and his boys singing praise to a Korean car. This is almost unheard of, but then again, they are expert car critics that only reports the truth about any cars. Unlike some car critics that hold back due to sponsorship obligations. Well, the Top Gear guys feed back was very positive about this Picanto, and I totally agree with them. But not with Naza’s pricing though. Way toooooo overpriced. If priced in the region of RM52k for the top spec model, that would be fair. Cheers!
top gear is rubbish la…even the E60 M5 aso kena bash kaw2… it may suits the brits, but not global market
4AT?
mirage still better
Mirage only have 2 airbags lor,not save.
Kia Picanto better,or Rio.
If you have budget for less than rm80k, then rio lor. If your budget only 60k++ then get a picanto.
Of course this doesn’t apply if you want proton. Proton Suprima S is not bad for it’s price rm80k if you are into proton brand.
Good. Now make the Rio SX a manual as well. I will buy it.
This picanto is 2012 model which has been on the market in other Asia countries long ago, while the next gen i10 is truly the new ones. Anyway, six air bags for a small car really kills myvi
It wouldnt even touch proton sales let aside myvi..60-64k for tiny korean 1.25cc engine?So what if have 10 airbags still prone to crushes.I rather buy myvi 1.5 rather than this overprice midget.The pricing shoud range between 50-53k if theyre serious about sales,60k might as well i top up another 12k go for swift 1.4 much better
you can topup go ahead.
this is for people have money for RM60k range
swift is no much better. better topup 5k for vios
p/s:This is a sarcasm if you get what i mean
1.4 swift ??? better buy rio then. More features than bland looking swift.
Way to show the world you judge the book by the cover. How do you even know that it is prone to crushes?
yes, cute car. in terms of price, I believe kia have their target buyers. with 6 airbags seem safer.
i like it, i seen a lot of these in korea (no shit)
The standard equipments certainly is tempting but i have a feeling this is designed for females because damn how much cuter can it gets! I meant it as a compliment but i bet guys gets a bit embarassed being seen driving one of these.
Bravo Naza-Kia, ady released two years ago, now only want to bring here.
ngok!!!.. kecik mcm ni 60k
I found here a lot ppl like to compare safety. Nothing wrong. But… Why don’t compare driving experience? This is the thing everyday I can feel.
Wow ! I never thought that I’ll live to see the day that a A-seg car has the same safety features as in developed countries.
Kudos Naza. You guys aren’t that bad after all …
Proton is heading the right direction starting with Subprima S. Let’s hope that it will be replicated to all their models.
T & H will have to buck up. A whole new generation of buyers that place more importance on safety is coming, and they WILL place safety first over resale and brand.
Disclosure. I drive a T, and the only reason I bought it, is because it is the only model with all safety features in all them. 7 airbags and the works.
Let me guess.. A prius?
Drove my boss’s Prius from office back home for the first time. Verdict, Toyota don’t make cars like they used to. The whole interior rattles and the cheap plastics all over the car, even my own Waja feels much more classier. The audio/radio system sucks, tried pushing the bass up, the whole door rattles. Shit! And the driving experience, hah confirm like driving a lemon. Comparing the car on battery mode, my son’s China made play car got more torque. Dunno why people so dumb, still think Toyota is that great and good resale value. I won’t buy this lemon when the warranty expires. Now i know why most Prius drivers love to hide their face.
Been long waiting for this model but the price certainly high to us. I thought around myvi pricing.
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6 airbags? HAHAHAHAHA! but still this car will struggle to reach 110km/h and drives like a boat on highway .
They put 6 airbags in a KOREAN car and all the fools kena con thinking its a damn good car. After buy the car, then regret cuz drives and handles like crap . That time , the 6 airbags oso havent even use yet cuz the car is too damn slow.
Then when u want to change anything in service centre,they ask you to wait for 1 month for your spare part. Got LONG warranty but whats the point when u keep sending in the car to SC? KOREAN reliability is crap.Trust me on this. Alot of people here JUST see number of airbags lah,number of speakers lah, keyless entry lah . All this are useless things which after a while become forgotten items.
Then 5 years down the road, u try to trade in for a bigger car and 2nd hand dealer values ur car at a pathetic 15k. Reason? CUz nobody is going to ever buy this kinda KOREAN car 2nd hand.
You all can say whatever u want about TOYOTA and HONDA but lets face it, these two always produce cars that is fun and nice to drive with outstanding reliability. They have a long track record unlike KIA & HYUNDAI .
Besides, korean cars dont last that long! So stop being silly and fooled by 6 airbags cuz its a silly marketing tactic that is used to fool silly people like some KOREAN fans here.
Wake up people! Yes KOREAN cars have come a long way,but dont forget ! Japanese cars have progressed even further away from Korean cars.
Stop buying KOREAN cars for the love of GOD!
Korean car does handle like crap
Handling is a technical aspect which the Koreans can improve.
They will never be able to improve their RV
I don’t want to argue….Except VIOS is not fun to drive is only meant for Auntie go pasar buy vege. I don’t know which side of your brain came to conclusion Japanese car got good handling…Without prejudice, Proton cars beats the crap out of them in terms of R&H. It’s a fact. Live with it.
Yes, I couldn’t believe it that my Waja still drives better than a Prius. I will never consider Vios, cause its a tin can on 4 wheels. You wont find Vios in Japan, they wont qualify that as a car, more like a toy. Now this Proton Suprima maybe a good buy, if I can still still tolerate any potential power window failure. As for Picanto, for kids only lah, not family car.
Above….. Did you drive picanto before? are you sure it not able to reach 110km/h? previous old module only 1.1 the new one 1.23… you still dreaming? Time to wake yourself up!
too expensive!
prefer this picanto..6 airbags!yeah..suprima s?preve?hello..vios?all this model doesn’t get any euroncap star..even our road transport prefer the euro regulations before licensing the cars..asianncap?haha..
I dont know much about car, can anyone tell me if this car is bigger than the old Hyundai Getz? Or the size similar to MyVi? Or it is bigger than i10?
Thanks ;)
wat so fuzz bout 6 airbag..? like u excident everyday.. my 5 year old perdana dunno got airbag or not yet still fine til today… dun think airbag can always save ur life cuz death can happen everywhere.. like u open car door without alerting then got bike collide with u yet u are dead although got 15 airbag in the car
if price around 50K, i will trade in my myvi
fuel consumption? anybody know
21km/l as listed in boucher.
market strategy by the korean examples the samsung handphone which is now widely accepted by most people in the world slowly the car market will be dominant and accept by most people. from japanese car people will drive and travel with korean cars.