Test drive Kia Picanto X-Line
How Kia tried to turn the baby Picanto into a crossover, what came of it and what does Apple CarPlay have to do with it
In the modern world, any product on the supermarket counter sells faster if its colorful packaging has bright logos with words like “Eco”, “Non-GMO”, “Nature”. Moreover, such products, as a rule, are more expensive than conventional counterparts.
A similar situation is developing in the automotive market. Today, any model can be sold at a higher price and in large quantities if you add Cross, All, Offroad or letters X, C, S to its name. Moreover, the differences between such cars and standard models will not be fundamental. The Kia Picanto X-Line is one of those. The new-generation hatch itself has been on sale in our market for more than a year, but the all-terrain version of the X-Line has gotten recently.
There are not so many cars in the A-class with a similar performance. For example, Ford has the Ka + hatchback. But it is not for sale in our market either. So X-Line turns out to be one warrior in the field.
What is the distinguishing feature of this Picanto? Firstly, this machine is equipped with only an older 1,2-liter engine with an output of 84 hp, which can only be combined with an “automatic”. Secondly, the lower edge of its body along the perimeter is protected by an unpainted plastic edging.
And third, thanks to slightly elongated suspension springs and cast 14-inch wheels, the X-Line's ground clearance is 17 cm, which is 1 cm more than other versions of the younger Kia model.
In fact, there is practically no fundamental difference in the behavior of the X-Line on the road compared to other older versions of the Picanto. The hatchback is just as easy to steer and effortlessly fits into turns of any coolness. As for the driving experience, they are also unchanged. Unless, when maneuvering in the parking lot, you drive up to the curbs a little more boldly.
But is it worth paying more for a plastic body kit and an extra centimeter of ground clearance? After all, the Picanto X-Line is priced at a hefty $ 10. A question that cannot be answered unequivocally. Because in Kia itself, the X-Line was singled out not just as a modification, but as a separate package.
For example, the closest version, the Picanto Luxe, is priced at $ 10. And then it turns out that the surcharge for a centimeter of ground clearance is $ 150. However, the X-Line still has equipment that is not available in the luxury version. For example, electric folding mirrors, Apple CarPlay in multimedia and a couple of other options.
But there is also the Picanto Prestige, which is equipped in the same way as the X-Line and even a little richer (here, for example, 15-inch wheels). But the price of such a “prestigious Picanto starts at $ 10. And it turns out that $ 700 for increased ground clearance and plastic in a circle is not so much.
| Body type | Hatchback |
| Dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 3595/1595/1495 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2400 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 171 |
| Curb weight, kg | 980 |
| engine's type | Gasoline, R4 |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1248 |
| Power, hp with. at rpm | 84/6000 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 122/4000 |
| Transmission, drive | 4АКП, front |
| Maksim. speed, km / h | 161 |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 13,7 |
| Fuel consumption (mixture), l | 5,4 |
| Cargo space, l | 255/1010 |
| Price from, USD | 10 750 |
