2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line Review

Headlining the list of Picanto upgrades is a sharp new styling package, added equipment and a much-improved list of active safety gear that makes it far more competitive than the outgoing Picanto range.

These upgrades have, however, been accompanied by some price hikes that mean the Picanto has relinquished the title of Australia’s most affordable car.

Just how well does the 2024 Kia Picanto stack up as an affordable hatchback for Australian buyers, and which is the best variant in the range?

We got behind the wheel of the range-topping Picanto GT-Line automatic to see whether it’s worth stretching your budget for the flagship Picanto experience, or if you’re better-served by the base model.

Kia Picanto Competition

How Much Does the Kia Picanto Cost?

The Kia Picanto GT-Line automatic that you’re looking sits atop the Picanto pile with a sticker price of $21,290 before on-road costs are applied.

There’s also a manual version of the Picanto GT-Line which is priced considerably lower at $19,690 before on-road costs.

Prices for the entry-level Picanto Sport Manual kick off from $17,890 while the Picanto Sport Automatic is priced at $19,490 before on-road costs are applied.

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Kia Picanto GT-Line Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Kia Picanto GT-Line Have?

Sitting at the top of the range, the Picanto GT-Line picks up some noticeable upgrades over the entry-level Picanto Sport.

Headlining the list is a set of 16-inch alloys, as well as LED headlights paired with LED daytime running lamps and LED tail lights, a sportier GT-Line exterior styling package, leatherette upholstery, power-folding mirrors, metallic pedals, a sports steering wheel and six-way, manually-adjustable driver’s seat.

The Picanto GT-Line also picks up key features from the Sport like cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, LED fog lights, central locking, a TFT instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch information display, a day-and-night rear-view mirror and a space-saver spare tyre.

Kia Picanto Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Kia Picanto GT-Line picks up the same infotainment system you’ll find in the entry-level Picanto Sport.

It’s an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that sits atop the dashboard, and while it’s not necessarily the flashiest unit on the market, for the price point, it’s a solid offering.

Kia’s infotainment system is super easy to navigate thanks to a set of shortcut buttons beneath the display, as well as rotary dials for the volume and tuning functions.

It’s reasonably fast when tasked with basic functions, with a resolution that certainly doesn’t lead the segment, but looks crisp enough when displaying navigation or media information.

In terms of the Picanto’s Hi-Fi setup, the GT-Line receives the same sound system you’ll find in the base model, which means there’s a four-speaker setup with two tweeters at the front of the cabin.

There’s a lot to be desired when pushing the sound system to its limits, though again, at this end of the market- it’s difficult to land any legitimate criticisms without being overly knit-picky.

Does the Kia Picanto Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers will be very pleased to know that both the entry-level Kia Picanto Sport and the flagship GT-Line receive wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

This is a generous move from Kia and makes a world of difference when it comes to simply stepping inside the cabin, turning the key and hitting the road with easy access to your tunes, navigation and contacts wirelessly.

The process of connecting your Android device or iPhone to the Picanto’s infotainment system is a quick process via the connectivity settings and, in our experience, the connection was seamless without any drop-outs.

@onlineauto.com.au The compact 2024 Kia Picanto is big on style, with bold design elements and a sporty flair that makes it perfect for trips around town. Discover the standout exterior features that help place the Picanto in the conversation of best valued car in Australia. Hit the link in our bio to read our full review. #KiaPicanto #OnlineAuto #CarReview #TestDrive ♬ Sunrays - Lo'tus

Is the Kia Picanto GT-Line Comfortable to Drive?

You can’t help but love the Picanto’s honesty and eager nature.

After a few hours behind the wheel, the Picanto proves itself a great first car and a user-friendly A-to-B vehicle for more experienced drivers alike.

This is largely because the Picanto is incredibly forgiving and, thanks to its lightweight stature, surprisingly agile when pushed.

Around town, the Picanto is one of the easiest cars you can drive, with its short-wheelbase platform able to squeeze into just about any vacant carpark and healthy visibility all around.

The handling package is fantastic, with its sharp steering rack and barely any weight to lug around making it light on its feet and a pleasure to navigate tight quarters in.

Throw the Picanto around aggressively and it stays composed, with impressive grip at the front axle making it a great little handling package.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a pint-sized 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol unit that produces just 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque, paired with your choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. 

We will say that it’s definitely a shame that Kia has removed the previous turbocharged three-cylinder engine from the Aussie lineup.

Regardless, when you flatten the throttle it takes quite some time for the Picanto to kick into action, though, the zip-up to city speeds of 60km/h is reasonable enough to keep up with traffic.

The docile transmission aims to keep things simple around town, though you do need to rev the engine out quite a bit which, combined with the four-speed automatic transmission, means you’ll find yourself stretching out the engine revs quite high.

In terms of the ride quality, Kia has kept it pretty simple with the Picanto, which means there’s not much in the way of support over choppy country roads.

Having said that, around the majority of the urban jungle, the Picanto is comfortable and due to the fact there’s barely over a tonne of weight to lug around.

Pick up the pace and you’ll notice the Picanto revs its absolute heart out at highway speeds, sitting around the 3,200rpm mark at 110km/h.

While that doesn’t sound fantastic on paper, Kia has done a great job in keeping the engine noise isolated so you won’t notice it screaming away under the bonnet.

Somehow, fuel economy doesn’t suffer dramatically, either.

What you will notice, though, is a fair dose of road noise entering the cabin, especially on coarser country roads and highway stretches, though this is a relatively small catch that can be mitigated with some music or a podcast.

All up, the Kia Picanto is a refreshing reminder of the simple things in motoring, with its no-frills nature proving a hit on a daily drive around town where it remains one of the most user-friendly packages on the market.

Is the Kia Picanto GT-Line Fuel Efficient?

Great fuel economy figures have always been one of the hallmarks of pint-sized hatchbacks like the Picanto.

In 2024, the Picanto remains one of the most fuel-efficient new cars on the road, consuming 5.4L/100km on a combined cycle with a manual transmission, increasing to 6.0L/100km in the thirstier four-speed Picanto automatic.

In our time behind the wheel of the Picanto, we were able to better Kia’s claimed economy figures, averaging 5.4L/100km on a mix of town and country driving and long stretches of highway kilometres.

At no point did we go easy on the throttle pedal, replicating normal driving behaviour that involves quite a bit of revving for the little 1.2-litre engine.

Even still, the Picanto managed to consume a very frugal 5.4L per 100km, making it a great little hatchback for fuel-conscious buyers who might not be able to stretch out to a hybrid vehicle.

If you’re after the Picanto variant with the best outright fuel economy figures, the Picanto with a manual transmission is your best option.

How Much Fuel does the Kia Picanto use Around Town?

• Picanto Manual City Consumption: 7.7L/100km

• Picanto Automatic City Consumption: 6.8L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Kia Picanto Use on the Highway?

• Picanto Manual Highway Consumption: 4.6L/100km

• Picanto Automatic Highway Consumption: 5.1L/100km

Is the Kia Picanto GT-Line Practical and Spacious?

While it shares the footprint of a matchbox, the Kia Picanto offers a surprising amount of space.

The main event is no doubt in the front of the cabin, which in this top-spec GT-Line variant, picks up some special touches like leatherette upholstery, metallic pedals and a sports steering wheel that make things feel more premium.

Step inside and first impressions of the Picanto GT-Line’s cabin are pleasant.

There’s more than enough headroom for tall drivers and decent adjustment in the driving position and tilt adjustment for the steering wheel.

Forward and side visibility is great thanks to the tall roofline and windows, while ergonomics are fantastic with the simple button layout remaining within reach.

The same can’t be said for the infotainment display which requires a bit of a stretch to make inputs on the fly, while some cheap plastics can’t help but showcase the Picanto’s value-centric nature.

Having said that, the Picanto in GT-Line form definitely ticks all the important boxes in the front of the cabin and justifies its price premium over other members of the range.

In the front of the cabin, the Picanto offers a storage tray hidden beneath the rotary AC controls, another tray at the base of the console with retractable cupholders that make way for another large storage tray.

There’s also a neat little storage cavity beneath the handbrake lever that, in many cases, would go unutilised, but not in the Picanto which proves a great place to hide a phone away, with a compact glovebox and folding armrest as well as door bins rounding out its storage options.

All up, Kia has done well to maximise space and add as many practical touches in the front of the Picanto’s cabin which offers more interior space than it appears from the outside looking in.

Move to the rear and things get a little more cramped, but not prohibitively so.

Any tall passengers in the rear will have their knees up against the front seats, though headroom is healthy.

While there are three seatbelts in the rear of the Picanto, adults will struggle to comfortably sit three abreast, though you’re unlikely to hear any complaints from kids back here.

On the topic of kids, the Picanto’s rear bench is fitted with a pair of ISOFIX anchors and trio of top tether mounts to securely fit forward and rear-facing child seats, though the latter can prove quite bulky for the compact interior.

Amenities in the second row are limited to a USB-C charging port, map pockets and door bins, a testament to the Picanto’s value-centric nature.

All things considered, we think Kia’s done a pretty good job in making the pint-sized Picanto a usable hatchback for Aussies, with the GT-Line picking up some much-needed premium touches that justify stretching the budget a little.

How Big is the Kia Picanto GT-Line’s Boot?

As you might imagine, the Picanto isn’t a heavy-hitter when it comes to boot space, though it does the best that it can.

Boot space figures for the Picanto total 255L with the rear seats standing, which is pretty compact, but this is a microscopic little car.

Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and you’ll unlock 1,010L of boot space when it’s time to lug around surfboards, sports gear or make a dash to the airport.

The Picanto’s rear seats do not fold flat, with both the seat bases and seat-backs protruding up from the boot floor.

The boot does, however, sink quite deep into the body and while this means there’s a noticeable lift to get cargo out, you also have a neat little cubby to keep a supermarket run safe and upright.

Is the Kia Picanto GT-Line Safe?

One of the major upgrades for the 2024 Picanto lineup has been an overhaul of the safety equipment suite.

While the outgoing Picanto left buyers high-and-dry when it came to active safety tech, all members of the range now pick up some much-needed features that make it more competitive than ever when it comes to safety.

As standard, the Picanto range receives autonomous emergency braking with vehicle detection, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, cruise control, lane-follow assist, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, rear occupant alerts and leading vehicle departure alerts.

The introduction of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts in particular is a welcome addition to the range, especially in the base model, while lane-keep assist helps to make highway cruising far more relaxing.

For the money, you can’t argue with just how generous Kia has been with its safety equipment list for the MY24 Picanto lineup, especially considering that no features are reversed for the range-topper.

Does the Kia Picanto GT-Line Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Kia Picanto’s previous four-star ANCAP safety rating expired at the end of 2023, with the MY24 Picanto range remaining untested by ANCAP.

For reference, the previous Picanto’s four-star rating was secured after scoring the following marks in its 2017 testing.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 87%

• Child Occupant Protection: 64%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 54%

• Safety Assist: 47%

What Warranty Does the Kia Picanto GT-Line Come With?

Kia remains at the head of the pack when it comes to warranty coverage, with the Picanto retaining the company’s outstanding ownership package.

Every Picanto is packaged with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, with seven years’ worth of capped-price servicing on offer.

Service intervals for the MY24 Picanto range stand at 12-months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Picanto GT-Line Worth it?

While it might be one of the cheapest cars on sale in Australia, the 2024 Picanto GT-Line doesn’t look or feel it on the road.

Behind the wheel, the little Picanto is easy to drive around town while its fun-loving nature offers surprising handling and lightweight stature means it sips fuel responsibly.

While it commands a sizable premium over the base model, the Picanto GT-Line picks up enough premium touches that make the upgrade feel worthwhile, but not an outright necessity.

Some of Kia’s biggest upgrades for the MY24 Picanto, namely the styling overhaul and massively updated active safety equipment suite are available on all members of the range, which means there’s a lot to like about the Picanto, especially in base form.

Is the Picanto GT-Line worth it? Yep, absolutely, but buyers will be pleased to know that the entry-level Picanto is even more attractive with its outstanding value proposition which is the one we’d be throwing our money behind.

For that matter, the Picanto GT-Line Manual is $1,600 cheaper and offers even more impressive fuel economy figures and the same equipment list which is, in our mind, the pick of the bunch.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can take the stress out of the buying process and help find you the best possible price.

Five Kia Picanto Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions

3. 5.4 - 6.0L/100km fuel economy figures (manual v automatic)

4. 255L boot expands to 1,010L with rear seats folded

5. Expired four-star ANCAP safety rating