Kia Picanto Overview: Generations, Specs and Which Version to Buy

A guide to Kia Picanto generations from 2003 to present: power ranges, gearboxes and the standout versions of this micro-class city car.

The Kia Picanto is a micro-class city car produced from 2003 to the present, with outputs ranging from 60 to 100 hp across all versions — this overview of kia picanto generations covers its specs and the versions worth choosing. All Picantos are front-wheel drive, which keeps the lineup simple, and the car suits drivers who need a compact, easy-to-run machine for urban traffic. Over more than two decades the model went through three full generations and four restylings, and every one of them stayed in the micro body class with front-wheel drive only — the changes came in engines, gearboxes and the number of modifications on offer.

Kia Picanto generations

1 generation (2003–2007)

The first Kia Picanto was built from 2003 to 2007 as a micro-class car with 60–75 hp, offered with Automatic and Manual gearboxes across 6 modifications. The mass-market choice was the 1.1 AT (64 hp) with a 1086 cc engine and 0–100 km/h in 17.9 seconds, while the top version was the 1.1 MT (75 hp) diesel with a 1120 cc engine, 15.7 seconds to 100 km/h and fuel consumption of 4.2 l/100km. That diesel manual was notable in being both the most powerful and one of the most frugal cars of the generation at the same time.

1 generation, restyling (2010–2011)

The restyled first generation, sold in 2010–2011, kept the 60–75 hp range and FWD layout, growing to 7 modifications with both Automatic and Manual gearboxes. The common 1.1 AT (65 hp), still on the 1086 cc engine, accelerated to 100 km/h in 17.5 seconds and consumed 5.8 l/100km. The range was topped by the 1.1 AT (75 hp) diesel with a 1120 cc engine, while the economy choice was the 1.1 MT (75 hp) diesel on the same 1120 cc unit, returning 4.2 l/100km with a 16.1-second sprint to 100 km/h.

2 generation (2011–2015)

The second Kia Picanto ran from 2011 to 2015 with 69–85 hp across 6 modifications, again with Automatic and Manual options and front-wheel drive only. The standout is the 1.3 MT (85 hp) with a 1248 cc engine and 10.7 seconds to 100 km/h — a strong figure for a micro-class car; the same engine and gearbox combination is also listed with an 11.6-second time. The economy pick was the 1.0 MT (69 hp) with a 998 cc engine, returning 4.2 l/100km and reaching 100 km/h in 14.4 seconds.

2 generation, restyling (2015–2017)

The 2015–2017 restyling widened the lineup to 9 modifications spanning 65–85 hp, the broadest choice of any Picanto generation. The mass version 1.0 MT (67 hp) with a 998 cc engine did 13.9 seconds to 100 km/h at 6.2 l/100km, the 1.3 MT (85 hp) with a 1248 cc engine accelerated in 11.9 seconds with 4.7 l/100km, and the 1.0 MT (65 hp) was the frugal option at 4.5 l/100km with a 14.6-second sprint. A 1.0 AT (65 hp) on the same 998 cc engine joined as the newest variant of the lineup.

3 generation (2017–2020)

The third generation, produced from 2017 to 2020, spans 67–100 hp across 8 modifications with Automatic and Manual gearboxes. The volume version was the 1.3 AT (84 hp, 1248 cc) with 13.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 5.4 l/100km. The 1.0 MT (100 hp, 998 cc) is the quickest Picanto in the data at 10.1 seconds to 100 km/h — the only version to reach a three-digit power figure — while the 1.0 MT (67 hp) sipped 4.4 l/100km and needed 14.3 seconds for the sprint.

3 generation, restyling 1 (2020–2023)

The 2020–2023 update narrowed the range to 67–84 hp across just 4 modifications and introduced an Automated manual gearbox alongside the Automatic and Manual. The 1.2 AMT (84 hp, 1197 cc) was the mass version at 15.7 seconds to 100 km/h, the 1.2 MT (84 hp) on the same engine did 12.5 seconds, and the freshest addition, the 1.0 AT (67 hp, 998 cc), reached 100 km/h in 17.2 seconds.

3 generation, restyling 2 (2023–present)

The current Kia Picanto, on sale since 2023, offers 67–84 hp with Automated manual and Manual gearboxes across 6 modifications; the conventional automatic left the lineup. The mass version is the 1.2 AMT (79 hp, 1197 cc) with a 16.5-second sprint to 100 km/h; the 1.2 MT (84 hp) on the same 1197 cc engine tops the range.

Which Kia Picanto to buy

For a used purchase, the long 2003–present production run means plenty of examples across seven generations and restylings, and the consistently simple FWD-only layout with mostly manual and conventional automatic gearboxes keeps the choice straightforward — later cars from 2017 onward offer the widest 67–100 hp spread. Buyers watching running costs should note that several manual versions across generations — the diesel 1.1 MT at 4.2 l/100km, the 1.0 MT (69 hp) at 4.2 l/100km and the 1.0 MT (67 hp) at 4.4 l/100km — all stay under 4.5 l/100km, which is a key part of kia picanto specs that makes the car cheap to keep.

Which Kia Picanto to avoid

Within the 3 generation, restyling 1 (2020–2023), the 1.2 AMT (84 hp) is dominated by the 1.2 MT (84 hp): identical 84 hp and 1197 cc engine, but the AMT needs 15.7 seconds to 100 km/h against 12.5 seconds for the manual. If shifting yourself is acceptable, the 1.2 MT (84 hp) is simply the better car on the numbers.