Kia Picanto
All generations, specs and history
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By Sarah Whitmore, Senior Automotive Writer
- Built
- 2003–present
- Generations
- 3 · BA to JA
- Top power
- 74 kW (101 PS)
Timeline
Picanto generations
Click a generation for its own page
- Picanto BA 2004–2011 · Hatchback · 45–55 kW (61–75 PS)
- Picanto TA 2011–2017 · Hatchback · 49–63 kW (67–86 PS)
- Picanto JA Current 2017–now · Hatchback · 46–74 kW (63–101 PS)
Newest first · 3 generations since 2004
-
2017
-
2011
-
2004
All generations by year: Picanto JA (2017–now) · Picanto TA (2011–2017) · Picanto BA (2004–2011)
Which one is mine?
Pick the year of first registration to see which generation it is.
Check by VINWhich Picanto to choose
Our verdict · Sarah Whitmore
- For the lowest new price: the 1.0 Core at €17,590 in Germany (2026), with the seven-year warranty.
- For an automatic: the 1.0 Vision with the automated manual gearbox, €19,550 in Germany (2026).
- For more pace on the used market: a 2017–2020 GT Line or X-Line with the 74 kW 1.0 T-GDI.
- For the cheapest running: the TA 1.0 LPG bi-fuel, if LPG is easy to buy where the car is used.
An older overview of the Picanto's first three generations is also on 1cars. The Hyundai i10 and the Toyota Aygo X compete in the same class, and the history of Kia puts the car in context.
The Kia Picanto is Kia's smallest car, an A-segment city car sold in Europe since 2004 and called the Morning in South Korea. Three generations have followed: the first on a shortened Hyundai Getz platform, the second designed in Frankfurt, and the current third generation, built by Donghee in Seosan, South Korea, since 2017. In ADAC's August 2026 list it is one of only 16 new car models still priced below €20,000 in Germany.
In short
- Three generations: BA (2004–2011), TA (2011–2017) and JA (since 2017, facelifted in 2020 and 2024).
- Petrol engines from 1.0 to 1.2 litres with 45–63 kW and a 1.1 diesel in the first generation; the JA also offered a 74 kW (100 PS) 1.0 turbo until 2020.
- Since July 2025 the German range has a single 50 kW (68 PS) 1.0 with a manual or automated manual gearbox.
- The 1.0 Core cost €17,590 in Germany in August 2026 (ADAC), with a seven-year or 150,000 km warranty.
Size at a glance
| Dimensions | Kia Picanto JA |
|---|---|
| Length | 3,605 mm141.9 in |
| Width | 1,595 mm62.8 in |
| Height | 1,485 mm58.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm94.5 in |
| Boot | 255 L9.0 cu ft |
Running cost
Fuel · Picanto JA 1.0 (68 PS)
about 1,450 EUR fuel a year at 15,000 km
5.5 l/100 km · petrol at 1.75 EUR/l · change mileage, fuel price or version
Specs by version
Engines
| Version | Engine | Power | Drive | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel · 1 version | ||||
| BA · 1.1 CRDi | 3 cyl · Diesel | 55 kW 75 PS74 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2005–2008 |
| Petrol · 9 versions | ||||
| BA · 1.1 | 4 cyl · Petrol | 48 kW 65 PS64 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2004–2008 |
| TA · 1.0 | 3 cyl · Petrol | 51 kW 69 PS68 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2011–2015 |
| TA · 1.2 | 4 cyl · Petrol | 63 kW 86 PS84 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2011–2015 |
| JA · 1.0 (63 PS) | 3 cyl · Petrol | 46 kW 63 PS62 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2024–2025 |
| JA · 1.0 (67 PS) | 3 cyl · Petrol | 49 kW 67 PS66 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2017–2020 |
| JA · 1.0 (68 PS) | 1.0 l · 3 cyl · Petrol 998 cc | 50 kW 68 PS67 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2025 |
| JA · 1.2 (79 PS) | 4 cyl · Petrol | 58 kW 79 PS78 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2024–2025 |
| JA · 1.2 (84 PS) | 4 cyl · Petrol | 62 kW 84 PS83 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2017–2020 |
| JA · 1.0 T-GDI | 3 cyl · Petrol | 74 kW 101 PS99 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2017–2020 |
| LPG / CNG · 1 version | ||||
| TA · 1.0 LPG | 3 cyl · LPG / CNG | 49 kW 67 PS66 hp | Front-wheel drive | 2013–2015 |
Performance
Show all 1 versions
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Fuel consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JA · 2017–present | ||||
| JA · 1.0 (68 PS) | 14.7 s 0–62 mph | 161 km/h100 mph | 5.5 l/100 km42.8 mpg US · 51.4 mpg UK | 126 g/km |
Dimensions and weight
Show all 3 versions
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Kerb weight | Boot | Fuel tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel · 1 version | |||||||
| BA · 1.1 CRDi | 3,495 mm137.6 in | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Petrol · 2 versions | |||||||
| BA · 1.1 | 3,495 mm137.6 in | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| JA · 1.0 (68 PS) | 3,605 mm141.9 in | 1,595 mm62.8 in | 1,485 mm58.5 in | 2,400 mm94.5 in | 1,124 kg2,478 lb | 255 l9.0 cu ft | 35 l9.2 gal US |
Verified Manufacturer and type-approval data from our catalog · Sources and methodology
Kia Picanto at a glance
| Generation | Years (Germany) | Engines | Power | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picanto I (BA) | 2004–2011 | 1.0, 1.1 petrol; 1.1 CRDi diesel | 45–55 kW | 3,495 mm |
| Picanto II (TA) | 2011–2017 | 1.0, 1.2 petrol; 1.0 LPG | 49–63 kW | - |
| Picanto III (JA) | since 2017 | 1.0, 1.0 T-GDI, 1.2 petrol | 46–74 kW | 3,605 mm (2025) |
The generation codes and German years follow the ADAC catalogue. ADAC lists the second generation with three or five doors.
Picanto I (2004–2011): on the Getz platform
Kia revealed the first Picanto at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, and German sales began in April 2004. It used a shortened version of the Hyundai Getz platform and measured 3,495 mm. Updates in 2007 and 2009 brought new lights, bumpers and a grille; the second gave it Kia's "tiger nose" front.
| Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 45 kW (61 PS) | 86 Nm |
| 1.1 petrol | 48 kW (65 PS) | 97 Nm |
| 1.1 CRDi diesel, three cylinders | 55 kW (75 PS) | 153 Nm |
An automatic gearbox with a torque converter was available with the petrol engines. The car sold well from the start: 58,579 in Europe in 2004, 85,314 in 2005 and 76,550 in 2006. In Euro NCAP's older test of 2004 it scored 17 points for adult occupants and 37 for children.
Picanto II (2011–2017): designed in Frankfurt
The second generation made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011. Kia's European design team in Frankfurt, led by Peter Schreyer, drew it, and it was longer than its predecessor in both wheelbase and overall length. Buyers could choose three or five doors.
| Engine (Germany) | Power | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0, three cylinders | 51 kW (69 PS) | 2011–2015 |
| 1.2, four cylinders | 63 kW (86 PS) | with optional automatic |
| 1.0 LPG bi-fuel | 49 kW (67 PS) on LPG | from October 2013 |
In its 2011 Euro NCAP test the TA scored 86% for adult occupants, 83% for children, 47% for pedestrians and 43% for safety assistance. A facelift with new bumpers and fog lamps followed at the Geneva show in March 2015. European sales reached 58,175 cars in 2012.
Picanto III (since 2017): GT Line, X-Line and two facelifts
The Morning went on sale in South Korea in January 2017, and the European Picanto had its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. It is built mainly at the Donghee plant in Seosan, and the range introduced GT Line and X-Line versions with their own bumpers.
| Engine (Germany) | Years | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2017–2020 | 49 kW (67 PS) |
| 1.2 | 2017–2020 | 62 kW (84 PS) |
| 1.0 T-GDI (GT Line, X-Line) | 2017–2020 | 74 kW (100 PS) |
| 1.0 | 2024–2025 | 46 kW (63 PS) |
| 1.2 | 2024–2025 | 58 kW (79 PS) |
| 1.0 | since July 2025 | 50 kW (68 PS) |
The first facelift, in June 2020, brought new headlights and grille, a 4.2-inch instrument display and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second update was shown in South Korea on 4 July 2023 with LED headlights, a new instrument cluster and more safety equipment; in Germany it has been on sale since May 2024.
Euro NCAP tested the JA in 2017. With standard equipment it scored 79% for adult occupants, 64% for children, 54% for pedestrians and 25% for safety assistance; with the optional safety pack the assistance score rose to 47%.
The 2026 Picanto 1.0 in detail
| Kia Picanto 1.0 Core (Germany, from July 2025) | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 998 cc three-cylinder petrol, 50 kW (68 PS) at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 96 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual (automated manual from the Vision trim) |
| 0–100 km/h / top speed | 14.7 s / 161 km/h |
| WLTP combined | 5.5 l/100 km, 126 g/km CO₂ |
| Length / width / height | 3,605 / 1,595 / 1,485 mm; wheelbase 2,400 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,124 kg |
| Boot | 255 litres, 1,010 litres with the rear seat folded |
| Fuel tank | 35 litres |
| Warranty | seven years or 150,000 km |
The German range runs from €17,590 for the 1.0 Core to €22,750 for the 1.0 GT Line with the automated manual gearbox (ADAC, prices from July 2025). Before that, from May 2024 to July 2025, the 46 kW 1.0 Edition 7 was the entry model at €16,990. ADAC's August 2026 list of new cars below €20,000 includes the Picanto at €17,590.
Sales
The Picanto has been a steady seller in Europe. Wikipedia lists 62,161 cars in 2017, 74,526 in 2018, 74,305 in 2019, 68,574 in 2023 and 64,757 in 2024. In South Korea, sales of the Morning fell from 50,364 in 2019 to 15,835 in 2024.
Photo gallery
Kia Picanto evolution in numbers
Did you know?
- The Kia Picanto has been around for 23 years: 3 generations in our catalog since 2003.
- The longest-running generation is the Picanto JA (2017–present): 9 years and counting.
- The biggest jump in power came with the Picanto JA: up to 74 kW (101 PS), 11 kW more than the Picanto TA.
Most powerful version, kW
Figures from the 1cars catalog: power is the strongest version of each generation; generations without the figure are left out.
Kia Picanto: first vs latest generation
| Spec | Picanto BA | Picanto JA | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | 2004–2011 | 2017–present | 13 years apart |
| Most powerful version | 55 kW (75 PS) | 74 kW (101 PS) | +19 kW (+35%) |
| Length | 3,495 mm | 3,605 mm | +110 mm |
Oldest and newest generation in the 1cars catalog. Power is the strongest version of each; other rows are shown only when both generations have the figure.
Kia Picanto in our rankings
- No. 2 of 67 · Smallest hatchbacks (3,495 mm)
- No. 4 of 420 · Smallest cars (3,495 mm)
- No. 41 of 304 · Lightest cars (1,124 kg · top 14%)
- No. 143 of 912 · Longest-running car nameplates (22 years · top 16%)
- No. 65 of 256 · Most economical cars (5.5 l/100 km · top 26%)
- No. 15 of 53 · Lightest hatchbacks (1,124 kg · top 29%)
Shorter than 99% of ranked cars in the 1CARS catalog (No. 4 of 420).
FAQ
How many generations of the Kia Picanto are there?
Three: BA (2004–2011), TA (2011–2017) and JA (since 2017), facelifted in 2020 and 2024.
How much does a new Kia Picanto cost?
In Germany the 1.0 Core costs €17,590 and the 1.0 GT Line with the automated manual gearbox €22,750 (ADAC, 2026).
What engine does the current Picanto have?
In Germany since July 2025 only a 998 cc three-cylinder petrol with 50 kW (68 PS) and 96 Nm.
How big is the Picanto's boot?
255 litres, or 1,010 litres with the rear seat folded, in the current car.
Where is the Kia Picanto built?
The third generation is built mainly by Donghee in Seosan, South Korea.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
- Wikipedia - Kia Picanto
- ADAC
- ADAC - Ja Facelift 2
