Almost three tons and the first coupling is still in place
The A-segment is slowly but surely ceasing to exist. But one car is moving against the current, because it has been very popular both new and used for years: the Kia Picanto. This time in Klokje Rond, a nice Korean city cart with almost three tons on the clock.
How would Jan’s back be? Such a compact Kia, yet clearly a city car, is not made for these mileage. Wrong. Jan is as fit as a fiddle and uses the Kia for everything. Even for holidays, although logically a 350 liter roof box is added. The Kia Picanto as a family all-rounder, come on. “And to my satisfaction,” says Jan. “I think the Kia is a textbook example of how mature and complete a small car can be.” That’s quite a statement, but the figures and reviews on our website seem to prove him right. The Kia is still selling well, just look around and be surprised at how many Picantos you see. This must be a winner.
Driving is not easy
When Joep returns after the extensive test drive, a slightly different sound is heard. “I’m a bit disappointed. Vibrations, it pulls to the right, doesn’t track well and a lot of tire noise, no flashy start,” said our judge. Also a comment about the clutch, which is very heavy. “It is still the first clutch, nothing has ever been done to the engine and gearbox,” says owner Jan. Jan is an enthusiastic and serious driver who has his affairs in order. He says about purchasing a new Kia Picanto at the end of 2011: “When this new generation of the Picanto arrived, I was immediately interested. I drove an Aygo and I saw that this car was simply much more of a car. More luxurious, less spartan on the inside.”
Swear by cruise control
No matter how complete the Kia Picanto was that Jan bought, cruise control was not included. “I set it up myself three days after I picked it up. I swear by cruise control, it’s such a relaxing drive. As soon as I leave the village, the cc turns on.” In addition to being an enthusiast, Jan is also a committed driver, active on forums and always willing to understand and install technical improvements. “At one point I even had customers at home for certain adjustments,” Jan laughs. Lighting in the glove compartment, lighting on the back seat, a rain sensor at the front and an adjustable interval at the rear, Jan installed it all on his Picanto himself.
Well, that consumption
Jan’s Picanto also made it to national television. A consumer program made a major item about the disappointing consumption of the small Korean. Jan also worked on that at the time. “Yes, the car does not come close to what the manufacturer claims, but yes, with the three-cylinder I get 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers, so 1 in 17. I can live with it and that will have to be.”
Picanto strikes back
Joep is now busy doing static inspections on the bridge at Carrec and is feeling some satisfaction on his face again, because he likes what he encounters. Love and attention has been paid to this silver-gray rascal, and that is a good thing.
It’s also nice for Jan, because he did run into some extra expenses last year. Of course because of age and mileage, but it still has to be paid for. And he wants to continue with the Picanto to enjoy that investment. “Our two children now just fit in the back, but that won’t last long. Then it is time for a slightly larger car.”
Seat belts and air conditioning
In addition to those recent expenses (see overview), Jan has also encountered typical Kia Picanto ailments: fraying front seat belts and a leaking air conditioning condenser. “You hear from many Picanto drivers, the belt was replaced under warranty the first time, just like the condenser, just as it should be, in that respect Kia keeps its promises with that seven-year warranty.”
The next step
The Kia Picanto does what it is supposed to do, at a reasonable cost and Jan thinks it is a nice car to travel with. So far nothing wrong. Even after the inspection, there is not much to worry about: this car certainly still has a future, just as Jan had hoped. Joep concludes that there are some things that need to be addressed, but the Picanto can go home with a thumbs up in the pocket.
Yet he is moving towards the status of used car because Jan is already looking towards something bigger, because of the growing children. You might not expect it, but Jan was once the proud owner of a DeLorean from 2000 to 2006. “Back then I was still single and even more car crazy than now. I was also active in the DeLorean club. That time has passed; other priorities and a more spacious family car will be the next step in a while. That will definitely be a car with an automatic transmission, I have already decided.”
Owner Kia Picanto
Name Jan van de Wouw
Construction year 1976
residence Alphen (NB)
Profession Reproduction employee at the municipality of Moerdijk
First car Ford Escort diesel
Previous car Toyota Aygo
What would you like to change about the car? Add the seat covers and cruise control
What is your longest trip with this car Veendam
Maintenance history
Owner Jan keeps track of everything about the car. And not on a beermat, but in a nice scheme. Every cent he spends on the car is included in it. He also keeps track of consumption separately.
- damage (paid by insurance)
- repair new antenna, broken off when loosening car wash.
- replacement of right exterior mirror glass, replacement of rear right seat belt buckle due to non-functioning indicator, everything under warranty
- 95,744 km replacement of fraying front left belt (was covered by warranty)
- 106,493 km replacement trunk lid switch (warranty)
- 187,617 km new rear windshield washer check valve
- maintenance, MOT plus new front left ball joint
- lock cable front left door handle
- 272,062 km maintenance, MOT front suspension arms, rear shock absorbers, front left belt
- 272.280 major service, brake fluid, multi-belt and clutch cable
- 272,522 km replacement timing chain and crankshaft seal
- 286,463 km of alignment plus tires
- headlights changed three times
- brake discs and pads every 100,000 km
- tires every 40,000-45,000 km
- new battery every five years
Also added myself: interior lights in the rear, radio built-in from Picanto model code FE, glove compartment lighting, rain sensor at the front and adjustable interval mounted at the rear.
What’s wrong with it?
- Wiper blades for streaks what
- The clutch is very heavy
- The release bearing makes a lot of noise
- The car pulls to the right
- The tires are noisy
- The car vibrates when driving at speed
- The car is not tracking well
- The rear left front control arm rubber is torn
- The right rear bump stop is loose, the left rear is bad
The opinion of Carrec Technocenter
“Despite a list of quite a few things, one thumbs up for this Kia Picanto. Considering the age and mileage, the compact Korean looks quite neat.”
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl