Kia Picanto review - Reliability and safety

Kia has built a hard-earned reputation for reliability over the past two decades, cemented by a bold seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. In our 2020 Driver Power survey, the maker finished 2nd out of 30 brands with feedback focusing on how Kia provides comfortable, reliable, high-quality cars. The Picanto finished in 29th position in a list of the 75 best cars to own.

Euro NCAP crash tested the Picanto in standard and safety pack-equipped guises in 2017, and they earned three and four stars respectively. Automatic Emergency Braking features on the safety pack-equipped cars, and this uses a long-range radar to detect slowing vehicles, first playing an audible warning, before applying the brakes to prevent a collision. Cruise control and Rear Park Assist also feature.

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Warranty

All Kias – including the most basic Picanto – come with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. While most people won’t keep their car that long, it shows impressive confidence in the product – backed up by a solid performance in our annual Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. It also means that, depending on how long you keep the car before you sell it on, the Picanto will have the extra appeal of still having a bit of warranty cover left. Rivals like the VW Up! get a three-year warranty, while even Hyundai (Kia’s sister brand) can only manage a five-year guarantee on the i10.

Servicing

Kia Care is the manufacturer's service plan package, which provides fixed servicing costs specific to the age and mileage of your vehicle. Kia also offers its Drive Now, Pay Later scheme where customers are able to pay 25% of servicing costs up front, with 0% interest on the remaining balance for 3 months.