Kia Picanto

AI-gathered · checked 21 Oct 2026

3.6 MotorClash rating Car 3.6 · from web reviews so far

Starting price

AED 53,550

UAE retail, base 1.2L LX (aggregator-listed; other portals show AED 43,000–57,000)

Max power84 hp
Seats5
Powertrain1.2L naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol, 4-speed automatic
DrivetrainFWD
Top speed161 km/h

Compare with its rivals Get the best price

Where to buy in 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Al Tayer Motors - KiaDubai

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Premier Motors (Al Tayer Group) - KiaAbu Dhabi

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Overview

The Kia Picanto is a small five-door city car. It has a 1.2L petrol engine, a 4-speed automatic and an 8-inch touchscreen, and it suits tight city streets and low running costs. It is not fast and its crash-test rating is modest, but the boot is bigger than most rivals' and it costs little to run.

Pros

Compact and easy to park
Very low running costs, about 6 L/100 km
255 L boot, big for the class
8-inch touchscreen and rear camera on the LX in Saudi Arabia
Long warranty (5 years in Saudi Arabia)

Cons

Slow and strained on highways
Euro NCAP 2017 rating of only 3 stars (79% adult, 25% safety assist), and the rating has expired
Tight rear seat
Basic cabin and manual seats
Prices have risen from older AED 43,000 / QAR 49,000 levels, so it is no longer clearly the cheapest in its class

SWOT

Strengths

Low purchase and running costs
Compact size, practical boot and easy city driving
Strong reliability reputation and a long warranty

Weaknesses

Modest Euro NCAP result from 2017
Weak performance and limited refinement
Limited rear space and basic seats

Opportunities

Dealers often discount or bundle servicing on entry cars, so ask for current offers
Cheap insurance and tyres suit first-time buyers and second cars

Threats

Aggregator prices differ widely, so confirm the final on-road price with the dealer
Rivals such as the Suzuki Swift and Hyundai i10 offer more modern safety kit or space
Official availability varies by market: Kuwait shows 'coming soon' and Oman shows no current price

Key specs

Price & basics6

Body type: Hatchback · City car (A-segment hatchback)
Dimensions: 3595 × 1595 × 1485 mm · 2400 mm wheelbase
Seats: 5
Powertrain: 1.2L naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol, 4-speed automatic
Drivetrain: FWD
Cargo space: 255 L

Performance & range8

Max power: 84 hp
Torque: 122 Nm
0–100 km/h: Not disclosed
Top speed: 161 km/h
Combined range: Not disclosed
EV-only range: n/a
Consumption: 6.0 L/100 km combined, automatic (claimed, Australian spec); GCC listings show about 16.4 km/L (about 6.1 L/100 km)
Charging: n/a

Safety3

Airbags: 6
Driver assistance: The six airbags are confirmed for UK/EU spec, so check the GCC trim before buying. UK/EU cars have standard AEB, lane departure warning and tyre pressure monitoring. GCC listings show a rear camera, ABS and stability control. Full GCC driver-assist content is not published.
Safety index: 5.5/10

Ownership1

Warranty: Saudi Arabia: 5 years / 150,000 km per CarSwitch (another Saudi portal lists 100,000 km). UK: 7 years / 100,000 miles. UAE, Qatar and Oman terms were not found.

Tech & comfort3

Screens: 8-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring and a reversing camera. Australian-spec cars also have a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display.
Speakers: 4
Comfort highlights: Compliant ride over city roads and a narrow body that fits tight spaces. Rear space is tight, so it works best as a four-seater. Front seats are manually adjusted with no heating or ventilation, and refinement and highway performance are basic.

Reviews2

MotorClash rating: ★ 3.6 / 5
Summary: Reviewers praise the Picanto's compact size, tidy handling, generous 255 L boot for the class, good standard kit and low running costs. They criticise the very slow, noisy small engine, tight rear seats, basic cabin features and a dated platform with a weak crash-test result.