Three-door Kia Picanto

When the new generation Picanto was unveiled at the beginning of the year, Kia said that a three-door would also be joining the range for the first time. Well now it’s here, and UK sales are due to start on the 1st of September.

Kia Picanto 3-Door (2012) Front Side

Kia is launching the extra body style because it estimates that globally around one-third of city car buyers want a three-door. That’s a big chunk of a big market, which previous versions of the Picanto were excluded from.

Efforts have been made to give the new arrival a distinct look compared to the existing five-door model, and overall the effect seems to work well.

Up front, the grille opening - which comes with either a silver or red surround - is larger, and the front apron has been redesigned to give it a lower, wider appearance. At the back there are twin chrome exhausts and a black central section for the rear bumper, with both devices intended to add to the sporty image.

Kia Picanto 3-Door (2012) DashboardKia Picanto 3-Door (2012) Side

Not that the Picanto has any pretensions of being a performance car. There are two small capacity petrol engines on offer, and given the target audience the emphasis is quite rightly on economy and low emissions.

Customers can choose from four trim levels, all of which get electronic stability control, numerous airbags and Kia’s seven-year / 100,000 mile warranty package. UK prices start from £7,795.

2012 Kia Picanto three-door
Trim Engine Power Torque CO2 Economy* Price**
1 1.0 68 bhp (51 kW / 69 PS) 95 Nm (70 lb/ft) 99 g/km 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km) £7,795
1 Air 1.0 68 bhp (51 kW / 69 PS) 95 Nm (70 lb/ft) 99 g/km 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km) £8,395
Halo 1.25 EcoDynamics 84 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) 120 Nm (89 lb/ft) 100 g/km 65.7 mpg (4.3 l/100km) £11,695
Halo 1.25 Auto 84 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) 120 Nm (89 lb/ft) 125 g/km 53.3 mpg (5.3 l/100km) £12,295
Equinox 1.25 84 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) 120 Nm (89 lb/ft) 109 g/km 60.1 mpg (4.7 l/100km) £11,695
* Combined cycle fuel consumption.
** UK on the road prices.

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2012 Kia Picanto revealed

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