The Kia Picanto is officially the cheapest new car in Australia. What about cheerful?

Kia and MG have spent the past couple of years side-bumping each other like toddlers on a park bench.

First it was Kia who laid claim to offering the cheapest new car in Australia then no longer, because the MG 3 Core was here for $19,900. There has been more to-ing and fro-ing since then but, honestly, I became so hopelessly lost trying to follow all the numbers I gave up.

What you need to know is that now it’s Kia’s turn again, and it will likely stay that way because there’s a new MG 3 out with a driveaway price of $23,990 for the base Excite model.

The new Kia Picanto Sport (formerly S) costs $20,690 driveaway with a five-speed manual gearbox and $21,690 with a four-speed automatic.

We’re told by so-called etiquette experts that ordering the second cheapest bottle of wine on a menu is a grave mistake, because all you’re getting is the poorest quality for the highest markup. By that metric, the Picanto should now be the bees’ knees.

Honestly, it nearly is.

The micro-hatch has received a substantial revamp for 2024 in the style of Kia’s new electric-powered seven-seater, the EV9. The old model’s fish-like face has been sharpened with a light bar running across the front – complimented by a similar bar on the back for those lights.

It’s a chunky thing, but tiny. Two steps and you’ve pretty much walked around it. The 16-inch wheels could have come off an office chair.

Inside, you might be expecting to have to fold yourself into the driver’s seat – and maybe a passenger in the seat next to you – and only admire the three other seats in the back for the decorations they are. Not entirely true. I managed to get two kids, together with their bulky seats, anchored in there. Perhaps most impressively, I could even squeeze the pram in the boot.

I’m sure to passers-by we looked like one big happy Balinese family, all stacked precariously atop a scooter. But the Picanto still did it. Without much complaint either.

The previous model range was topped by the ‘GT’, with its red highlights and turbocharged three-cylinder engine that hinted at – not hot, but at least warm – hatch capabilities. A budget pocket rocket, if you like.

But the eagle-eyed will notice my test example, borrowed from Kia Australia, has “Line” written after the “GT” bit.

The GT no longer exists so, in its place, the new GT Line costs $22,490 driveway – a bit more than the base S for a slightly prettier face with LED lights, snazzier wheels, and vegan ‘leather’ seats with light grey accents.

I’m not sure we can exactly call it power, but the new 1.2-litre four-cylinder makes 62 kW of motion juice, but only from 6000 rpm, and 122 Nm, but only from 4000 rpm.

So you are wringing its guts out to move, and it doesn’t make a particularly nice noise while you do it. It’s not like there is much by way of plush plastic inside to help absorb it either. A ‘bit raucous’ would be an apt description.

But weighing a little over 970 kg, and with easy steering, it’s a hilariously nippy and nimble thing.

Mine was the manual, with an extra ratio on the four-speed automatic, and I’m glad. Not only was it that bit more engaging to drive, it also meant I was ‘only’ sitting at 3000 rpm on the highway between Sydney and Canberra, and not some other stratospheric figure.

The Picanto’s update has also given it a new digital speedo and tacho – in place of actual dials that are clearly just so 1990 – but I’m not sure there is an improvement. I like to see where the redline is before I bounce off it.

The screen gives suggestions on when to change gear, but I almost entirely ignored this. There’s no way I’m changing into second at 500 rpm.

Parents looking to buy a first car for their children – whom they want cossetted by things like this, as well as active safety features like lane-keeping assistance or reverse collision avoidance assist – will love the new Picanto. It has all of it, and none of it is particularly annoying.

Apple CarPlay works flawlessly too and there’s phone charge ports in the centre console and even one for the rear seats.

But among the best part was enjoying all of this for 500-odd kilometres before finally pulling up to the petrol bowser and spending $60 to brim its 35-litre fuel tank. And knowing I won’t be coming back for another 500-odd kilometres.

So it’s confirmed – next time you find yourself at Meat and Wine Co, go for the cheapest bottle of wine. It’ll actually be very good.*

2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line Manual

• $22,490 driveway
• 1.2-litre four-cylinder, 62 kW @ 6000 rpm / 122 Nm @ 4000 rpm
• 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive (FWD)
• 5.4 litres per 100 km combined fuel usage, 35-litre fuel tank
• 976 kg (tare weight)
• ANCAP safety rating expired

Thanks to Kia Australia for providing this vehicle for testing. Region has no commercial relationship with Kia Australia.

*The author takes no responsibility if, in fact, this is incorrect.