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Photo of a Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto

The city car that passed 250,000 UK sales before turning 20.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 29 sources

Also called

  • MorningSouth Korean market name, also used in Hong Kong and Chile.3
  • EuroStarTaiwanese name for the first generation.3
  • Naza SuriaMalaysian name for the locally assembled first generation.3
  • Naza PicantoMalaysian name adopted when the Naza Suria was updated on October 30, 2009.3

At a glance

0100200
60–106 hpPower
07.515
9.1–12.4 s0–60 mph
0100200
150–180 km/hTop speed
0150300
86–172 N·mTorque
07501,500
836–1,119 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.31011121314

Engine
1.0–1.25 L gasoline I3/I4; Mk1 also had a 75 hp 1.1 L turbo-diesel I33
Layout
Front engine, front-wheel drive3
Built at
Primarily Donghee, Seosan, South Korea3

The story

The Picanto succeeds the Visto as a city car shaped for European tastes and safety standards, while fitting Korea’s tax-favored light-car limits: under 3,600 mm long and 1,600 mm wide.23

2003: Frankfurt debut on Getz foundations20032004: First-year sales clear 110,00020042011: Schreyer redesign adds a three-door20112015: Bigger brakes: 37 m from 100 km/h20152017: Third generation debuts at Geneva20172020: Smartstream power and a dry-clutch AMT20202023: New lights and digital instruments20232025: MY26: one UK engine, 67 hp2025 Kia Picanto (first generation) (BA/SA): 2003–2011BA/SAKia Picanto (second generation) (TA): 2011–2017TAKia Picanto (third generation) (JA): 2017–presentJA 20052010201520202025
GenerationsMilestones3471423
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2003–2011Kia Picanto (first generation) (BA/SA)
2011–2017Kia Picanto (second generation) (TA)
2017–presentKia Picanto (third generation) (JA)
2003Frankfurt debut on Getz foundations
2004First-year sales clear 110,000
2011Schreyer redesign adds a three-door
2015Bigger brakes: 37 m from 100 km/h
2017Third generation debuts at Geneva
2020Smartstream power and a dry-clutch AMT
2023New lights and digital instruments
2025MY26: one UK engine, 67 hp
  1. 2003

    Frankfurt debut on Getz foundations

    The first generation is revealed at Frankfurt, using a shortened Hyundai Getz platform and a five-door body.3

  2. 2004

    First-year sales clear 110,000

    Morning, sold as Picanto in Europe, records more than 110,000 sales in year one after taking over from the Visto.2

  3. 2011

    Schreyer redesign adds a three-door

    Peter Schreyer’s Frankfurt redesign adds the first three-door. European 1.25 models offer ecoDynamics stop-start.34

  4. 2015

    Bigger brakes: 37 m from 100 km/h

    Optional 252 mm front brakes shorten the 100 km/h stop to 37 m, a 2 m gain, alongside new bumpers and a revised grille.5

  5. 2017

    Third generation debuts at Geneva

    The new generation brings optional safety-pack AEB. The standard car scores 79% for adult protection in its Euro NCAP test.36

  6. 2020

    Smartstream power and a dry-clutch AMT

    European cars gain Smartstream engines; non-turbo 1.0 and 1.2 L models can use an automated manual with a single dry clutch.7

  7. 2023

    New lights and digital instruments

    The redesign brings a new front light signature, an 8-inch navigation touchscreen and a 4.2-inch digital instrument display as standard.8

  8. 2025

    MY26: one UK engine, 67 hp

    Kia announces a simpler UK MY26 range for September delivery: Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S, all with a 67 hp 1.0 GDi and manual or AMT.9

Every generation

  • Kia Visto
    Kia Visto
  • Kia Picanto (first generation)
    BA/SA2003–2011
  • Kia Picanto (second generation)
    TA2011–2017
  • Kia Picanto (third generation)
    JA2017–present

Power over the years

From 84 hp to 99 hp in 4 years.

0255075100 2014201620182020202220242026 hp 2015 · 84 hp · Chilli 1.22017 · 66 hp · Mk3 1.0 gasoline2017 · 83 hp · Mk3 1.25 gasoline2019 · 99 hp · 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S2020 · 66 hp · Smartstream 1.0 (67 PS)2020 · 83 hp · Smartstream 1.2 (84 PS)2024 · 77 hp · UK Shadow 1.22026 · 67 hp · UK MY26 1.0 GDi 99 hp 1.0 T-GDi GT-Line S 84 hp Chilli 1.2
179121516
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
201584Chilli 1.2
201766Mk3 1.0 gasoline
201783Mk3 1.25 gasoline
2019991.0 T-GDi GT-Line S
202066Smartstream 1.0 (67 PS)
202083Smartstream 1.2 (84 PS)
202477UK Shadow 1.2
202667UK MY26 1.0 GDi

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    LX / EX; Picanto / 2 / Ice / 3 (first generation)

    2004–2011

  • Standard

    Pure (UK, MY26)

    2026

    67 hp
  • X-Line / X-Line S

    Standard

    X-Line / X-Line S

  • Performance

    GT-Line / GT-Line S 1.0 T-GDi

    2019

    99 hp

  • Performance

    GT (Aussie specification)

    2019

    99 hp

  • Special

    Domino

    2010

  • Special

    City / White / VR7 (second generation)

  • Special

    Chilli (Originals)

    2015

    84 hp

  • Special

    Wave / Titanium / Zest / Shadow

  • Special

    Quantum

    2014

  • Limited

    R-Cross

    2013

    500 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Second-generation three-doors wear silver or red front-grille trim.3
  • 2020 GT-Line and X-Line cars have four-bulb LED daytime running lights.7
  • The GT Line revealed in 2023 uses an enlarged tiger-nose grille.8

Year by year

  1. 2008 (first generation)

    Teardrop headlights, ringed taillights and a smaller honeycomb grille; UK turn signals move to a left-hand stalk.31417

  2. 2011 (second generation)

    Three-door and five-door bodies share the range for the first time; three-door cars get different bumpers and grille trim.34

  3. 2015 facelift

    Reworked bumpers and grille, a new 14-inch alloy design and optional sport pack; dashboard gains chrome around the instruments and vents.5

  4. 2017 (third generation)

    A familiar outline conceals all-new panels; LED headlights and a redesigned cabin distinguish the new generation.22

  5. 2020 (GT-Line and X-Line)

    Four-bulb LED daytime lights, new LED taillights, slimmer rear fog lights and sharper bumper creases identify the refresh.7

  6. 2023 reveal / 2024 UK

    New light signature, bumper, hood and fenders reshape the nose; redesigned rear lights and tailgate reshape the rear.89

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Kia Picanto
    Picanto
    Photo of a Fiat Panda
    Fiat Panda

    Fiat Panda

    The 2004 Picanto has a puppy-dog face and small minivan proportions; the Panda has more utilitarian lines.10

  • Photo of a Kia Picanto
    Picanto
    Photo of a Daewoo Matiz
    Daewoo Matiz

    Daewoo Matiz

    The 2004 Picanto has a wider body: it measures 100 mm more across than the Daewoo Matiz.10

Against its rivals

  • Picanto vs Volkswagen up! 1.0 75 beats

    List price lower is better

    Picanto10,750 £
    Volkswagen up! 1.0 75 beats11,430 £
    13

  • Picanto vs Hyundai i10 1.0 SE

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    Picanto12.4 s
    Hyundai i10 1.0 SE13.2 s
    13

  • Picanto vs Volkswagen High up! 1.0 90

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    Picanto9.1 s
    Volkswagen High up! 1.0 9010 s
    12

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “250,000 UK sales before its 20th anniversary”
    • “Record grid: 31 drivers in 24 cars”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. KIA INTRODUCES NEW PICANTO, STONIC AND SPORTAGE ‘SHADOW’ SPECIAL EDITIONS - Kia kenbrownmotors.co.uk
  2. Morning (1st Gen.) | The City Car That Reshaped the A-Segment, 2004 | Kia Heritage Archive worldwide.kia.com
  3. Kia Picanto - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Picanto prod2-press.kia.com
  5. Picanto prod2-press.kia.com
  6. Euro NCAP | Kia Picanto euroncap.com
  7. The upgraded Kia Picanto prod2-press.kia.com
  8. New Kia Picanto brings progressive design for drivers to enjoy their freedom prod2-press.kia.com
  9. Kia UK simplifies important Picanto and XCeed line-ups - Kia suttonparkgroup.co.uk
  10. Kia Picanto review | Car Reviews | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  11. Kia Picanto GT 2019 Review - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  12. Kia Picanto vs Volkswagen up! | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  13. Kia Picanto vs Volkswagen up! vs Hyundai i10 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  14. Kia Picanto BA/SA – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  15. Kia launches Special Edition models of the Picanto and Sportage | Cars UK carsuk.net
  16. Used Kia Picanto review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. Kia Picanto (2004-2011) — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  18. Used Kia Picanto buying guide: 2013-2017 (Mk2) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  19. Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition - Autoblog autoblog.com
  20. Kia Picanto Quantum on sale now | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  21. Gelimiteerde stoerdoenerij: Kia Picanto R-Cross autoreview.nl
  22. Geneva show: Kia has designs on new Picanto | GoAuto goauto.com.au
  23. Picanto prod2-press.kia.com
  24. Stop-Motion Fingernail Art Animation Created For Kia Picanto Ad laughingsquid.com
  25. Kia Picanto TA – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  26. Watch a Guy in a Man Bun Sing About Kia thedrive.com
  27. The Grand Tour: Ford GT e Kia Stinger protagoniste del secondo e terzo episodio auto.everyeye.it
  28. Kia Picanto GT Cup arranca com recorde de inscritos | FPAK 2020.www.fpak.pt
  29. Kia Picanto Rally Cup chega em 2020 com 4 provas e oferta de todos os pneus! crm-motorsport.com
  • kenbrownmotors.co.uk
  • worldwide.kia.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • prod2-press.kia.com
  • euroncap.com
  • suttonparkgroup.co.uk
  • carenthusiast.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • carsuk.net
  • newcarnet.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • autoblog.com

Photo credits

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