The 2025 Kia Picanto, a well-known veteran on Australian streets, kicks off the year with subtle adjustments without losing its essence: being the cheapest new car in Australia. After a significant refresh in 2024, the 2025 model arrives with minimal changes, focusing primarily on a price adjustment and a small increase in driver comfort. The South Korean brand continues to position the Picanto as a gateway to the automotive world, especially for those looking for a compact, agile, and above all, economical vehicle.
Despite the slight price increase, the 2025 Kia Picanto reaffirms its prominent position in the market, remaining an attractive option for consumers who prioritize value for money without compromising on modern design and essential features. This article details the changes for the 2025 model, explores the available variants, standard equipment, safety features, and the Picanto’s positioning in the competitive Australian automotive landscape, and why it remains relevant even amid market evolutions.
Prices and Positioning: Does Economy Still Speak Louder?
The 2025 Kia Picanto starts its range with the manual Sport version, priced at $18,290 AUD before on-road costs, or $21,190 in the “drive-away” mode (including taxes and fees). This price represents a $400 increase from the previous pricing table, and a $500 increase in the final “drive-away” price, an adjustment that Kia Australia justifies as an “economic adaptation.” Even with this increase, the Picanto firmly remains at the top of the list for the most affordable cars in Australia, a coveted title that is crucial in a price-sensitive market segment.
It’s crucial to contextualize the Picanto within its segment. Technically, the model is “outpriced” by the previous generation MG 3, but the latter is in the process of stock depletion, expected to last only until the end of the year. The “drive-away” price of the old MG 3 ranges from $20,330 to $20,836, depending on the Australian state or territory. In contrast, the new generation of MG 3 represents a significant price jump, exceeding $25,000 “drive-away” across all states and territories. This price difference further reinforces the Picanto’s position as the most economical choice, especially considering it fits within the micro-car category, a segment below models such as the MG 3, Mazda 2, and Suzuki Swift.
Within the micro-car category, the Picanto competes with models such as the Fiat 500, the new electric Fiat 500e, and the sporty Abarth versions, which, however, are positioned in a considerably higher price range. This segment distinction is key to understanding the Picanto’s appeal: it offers the practicality and economy of a compact urban car, with an unbeatable price, in a market where affordable options are increasingly rare.
What Changed in 2025? Targeted Adjustments to Refine the Experience
For 2025, the main update for the Kia Picanto is the addition of height adjustment for the driver’s seat. This seemingly simple change represents an increase in comfort and ergonomics for the driver, allowing for better adaptation of the driving position for different heights. Considering the Picanto’s focus on urban use and its proposal as a practical everyday vehicle, this adjustment to the driver’s seat contributes to a more enjoyable driving experience, especially on longer trips or for drivers of varying profiles.
In addition to the seat adjustment, Kia Australia justifies the price increase as an “economic adaptation.” Such adjustments are common in the automotive industry and reflect inflationary pressures and production costs affecting all manufacturers. While the price increase may be seen as a downside, it is important to note that it is relatively modest and does not compromise the Picanto’s main competitive advantage: its affordability. In a market context where new car prices have been consistently rising, maintaining its status as the cheapest car, even with a slight increment, is a notable achievement.
It is worth emphasizing that aside from the driver’s seat adjustment and price change, the 2025 Kia Picanto remains essentially unchanged compared to the 2024 model. This means that consumers already familiar with the Picanto or those who considered the 2024 model can expect a similar vehicle in terms of design, equipment, and performance, with the minor improvements and new price as the main points of attention.
Recapping the 2024 Refresh: Revitalized Design and Features
Although the changes for 2025 are minimal, it is essential to recall the substantial refresh the Kia Picanto received in 2024. The 2024 facelift brought an exterior design inspired by the electric SUV EV9, giving the compact a more modern look aligned with Kia’s visual identity. This aesthetic update was one of the main highlights of the refresh, making the Picanto visually more appealing and competitive in a segment where design is also a crucial buying decision factor.
In addition to the revamped exterior design, the 2024 facelift also brought a significant increase in the list of standard equipment. Kia added important safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. In terms of comfort, the 2024 Picanto gained a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter. Of course, these equipment additions came with price increases in 2024, with the “drive-away” price of the base version rising by about $3,000. The top-of-the-line GT version with a turbo engine was discontinued in the 2024 refresh, simplifying the Picanto’s lineup.
The 2024 refresh represented an important step for the Kia Picanto, raising the level of equipment and modernizing the design, which contributed to keeping the model relevant and competitive in the market. Even with the price increase in 2024 and the adjustment in 2025, the Picanto continues to offer a good package of equipment for its category, especially considering its entry price.
Safety: Standard Equipment and Expired ANCAP Rating
The 2025 Kia Picanto offers a comprehensive standard safety package, including features like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, forward collision warning, rear occupant alert, rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. The list of safety equipment is considerable for a compact car and demonstrates Kia’s commitment to the safety of occupants, even in an entry-level model.
However, it is important to note that the Kia Picanto no longer has an ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) safety rating. The four-star rating obtained in 2017 expired earlier this year. The expiration of the ANCAP rating does not necessarily mean that the Picanto has become less safe, but rather that the original rating is no longer valid under the more recent and stringent evaluation criteria of the ANCAP program. For consumers who prioritize ANCAP ratings as a decisive factor in their purchase, the absence of an updated rating may be a point to consider.
Despite the lack of an updated ANCAP rating, the 2025 Kia Picanto maintains a good level of passive and active safety, with the aforementioned standard equipment. The purchasing decision should take into account individual safety needs and the importance attributed to the ANCAP rating.
Variants and Equipment: Sport and GT-Line – Choosing the Ideal Picanto
The range of the 2025 Kia Picanto in Australia consists of two main variants: Sport and GT-Line. The Sport version is the entry-level option and already offers a satisfactory list of standard equipment for its category. Highlights of the Sport version include 14-inch alloy wheels, automatic halogen headlights, halogen daytime running lights, electrically folding exterior mirrors, a 4.2-inch instrument panel, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4-speaker sound system, air conditioning, fabric seats, a 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with height adjustment (new for 2025), a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, and two front USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C).
The GT-Line version adds a sportier and more sophisticated touch to the Picanto, with 16-inch alloy wheels, reflector LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED light bar, LED taillights, glossy black grille and badges, chrome detailing along the beltline, heated exterior mirrors, “Premium” upholstery seats, soft central armrest, height-adjustable front seats, alloy foot pedals, “D-Cut” steering wheel, glossy black interior trim, and an additional USB-C port at the rear of the center console. The GT-Line offers a distinctive look and additional comfort and aesthetic features aimed at consumers seeking a more complete and sporty Picanto.
The choice between the Sport and GT-Line variants will depend on individual preferences and available budget. The Sport version is an excellent option for those looking for the most affordable Picanto with essential equipment, while the GT-Line provides a more complete and visually appealing package, at an additional cost.
Colors and Finishes: Personalizing Your Picanto
The 2025 Kia Picanto features a predominantly black interior in both variants, with the GT-Line distinguishing itself by gray detailing on the seat upholstery. The standard exterior color is Clear White, at no additional cost. The following metallic colors are offered as options, with an extra cost of $520: Sparkling Silver, Astro Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, Signal Red, Sporty Blue, and Adventurous Green. The color palette provides options for different tastes, from neutral and classic colors to more vibrant and modern tones.
The ability to choose optional colors allows buyers to personalize their Kia Picanto and express their individuality. Color choice is an important factor for many consumers, and Kia offers a range of options to meet different aesthetic preferences.
Does the 2025 Kia Picanto Maintain Its Relevance?
The 2025 Kia Picanto, even with the slight price increase and minimal changes compared to the previous model, continues to be an extremely relevant option in the Australian automotive market. Its primary competitive advantage, affordability, remains intact, securing its title as the cheapest new car in Australia. The 2024 refresh brought a modern design, more safety and comfort features, solidifying the Picanto as a complete and attractive urban compact.
For those looking for a practical, economical car with a good equipment package for its category, the 2025 Kia Picanto continues to be a smart choice. Despite the absence of an updated ANCAP rating, the model offers an adequate level of safety and a range of variants that cater to different needs and budgets. In a market where new car prices are consistently rising, the 2025 Kia Picanto reaffirms its position as an accessible and valuable option for Australian consumers.
