The second-generation Kia Picanto (factory code TA) marked a true revolution for the Korean manufacturer in segment A (mini-city cars). Designed under the direction of Peter Schreyer, it abandoned the plump lines of the first version for an assertive, dynamic, and mature design. Available in 3 and 5-door body styles, it made a spectacular leap forward in terms of finish quality, equipment (automatic air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, heated steering wheel on high trims), and road handling. Based on the same platform as its cousin the Hyundai i10, it benefited from a facelift in 2015, bringing slight aesthetic touches (bumpers, refined 'Tiger Nose' grille) and Euro 6 compliance for its engines. It is a model renowned for its great mechanical reliability, supported at the time by
The Kia Picanto II (TA) is a master choice for anyone looking for a reliable, economical, and well-equipped used small city car. Unlike some European competitors of the same era that suffered from timing chain or oil consumption issues, the Picanto's naturally aspirated engines (1.0 and 1.25) are true models of robustness. Buying advice: Opt for the 1.25 MPI 85 hp engine if you plan to drive outside urban areas; its flexibility and quietness transform the Picanto into a very capable small road car. The 1.0 MPI 69 hp will be perfectly sufficient for strictly urban use. Avoid models with a juddering clutch or no service history, although the mechanics are quite forgiving. Facelifted versions (post-2015) are the most refined.