Up Gti or Picanto Gt line 1.0 turbo?
Discussion
I need a small second car to run around in locally and let my kids learn to drive in. Been thinking about maybe getting one of these which would be easy for them to learn in but still be a fun car for me to use when needed.
The Picanto is cheaper to buy but less powerful. The Up Gti seem almost same
cost 4 years old as when new so seem a bit expensive in comparison. Would also cost more to insure.
I like the look of both though. Maybe the Up will hold it's money and end up not costing anymore?
Any experience of either would be useful.
The Picanto is cheaper to buy but less powerful. The Up Gti seem almost same
cost 4 years old as when new so seem a bit expensive in comparison. Would also cost more to insure.
I like the look of both though. Maybe the Up will hold it's money and end up not costing anymore?
Any experience of either would be useful.
My thoughts would be the Up will be a better car but obviously it's going to be more expensive.
There a member called Clockworks who I believe has the Picanto.
I like the Kia. In a way I'd possibly prefer the slightly older 1.2 rather than the 1.0 turbo. It'll have less torque but it's a really nice free reving motor that you can enjoy wringing out without risking your license. We had the 1.2 in a Hyundai i10 and I enjoyed it.
The Kia will be better equipped if that matters.
There a member called Clockworks who I believe has the Picanto.
I like the Kia. In a way I'd possibly prefer the slightly older 1.2 rather than the 1.0 turbo. It'll have less torque but it's a really nice free reving motor that you can enjoy wringing out without risking your license. We had the 1.2 in a Hyundai i10 and I enjoyed it.
The Kia will be better equipped if that matters.
For about a year my wife had the 1.2 Picanto (2018) and my daughter had a 1.0 Turbo which she bought unintentionally (it's a long story, she ordered and paid for a 1.2 '2' but ended up with a Turbo 'GT-Line' for the same price).
While the 1.2 was a decent car it didn't have the eagerness of the 1.0 - that might not have been quick in absolute terms, but it was always a hoot to drive. I'd go for the 1.0 every time, a massively under-rated car.
While the 1.2 was a decent car it didn't have the eagerness of the 1.0 - that might not have been quick in absolute terms, but it was always a hoot to drive. I'd go for the 1.0 every time, a massively under-rated car.
We recently test drove a 2019 Picanto 1.0T GT Line S. It was really quite a remarkable little car. Amazing standard kit including vegan leather, climate, heated seats and steering wheel and an electric sunroof! Infotainment system was great and the stereo good too. Engine was a cracker - plenty of poke giving a linear acceleration feeling like a bigger engine. Obviously you get a bit of 3 cylinder thrum, which you may or may not like and being a citicar they are a bit noisy but that said perfectly comfy and good to drive. I couldn't fault it really. Cool looking little thing too IMHO.
So why didn't we buy it then? Like you we were getting it partly so our daughter had something to practise in whilst also giving us something fun ourselves. However my wife and I concluded we really actually wanted an auto, so after our daughter passes her test and needs to be hived off into something more insurance friendly we would be left with a car that wasn't ideal for us. So we are considering Leaf for us plus 107/C1/Aygo for her.
I have not driven an Up so can't comment. A family member has a lesser Up and is very happy with it though. I doubt you'll get anything like the standard kit in the Kia or the 7yr warranty of course.
If I had more money I would have bought the Kia for my daughter just so I could drive it too!
So why didn't we buy it then? Like you we were getting it partly so our daughter had something to practise in whilst also giving us something fun ourselves. However my wife and I concluded we really actually wanted an auto, so after our daughter passes her test and needs to be hived off into something more insurance friendly we would be left with a car that wasn't ideal for us. So we are considering Leaf for us plus 107/C1/Aygo for her.
I have not driven an Up so can't comment. A family member has a lesser Up and is very happy with it though. I doubt you'll get anything like the standard kit in the Kia or the 7yr warranty of course.
If I had more money I would have bought the Kia for my daughter just so I could drive it too!
Edited by SlowV6 on Tuesday 11th April 23:14
I'm on my second Picanto GT Line S. I bought the first one as a pre-reg, 19 plate. Had it 2 years. Bought a 21 plate last month. This is the only time in 40+ years of driving that I've gone back and bought a model that I'd owned previously. I really shouldn't have sold the first one!
When I was looking 4 years ago, I was also considering the Up GTi. The Kia in "S" trim was a bit cheaper than the VW, but had far more kit. The only thing missing is auto- fold mirrors - you have to press a button. Face-lift models lost the electric sunroof, but got a better infotainment system, and some changes to the engine management to eliminate jerkiness when moving off from cold. The whole drive train does feel a bit more refined now.
Before the first Kia I had a Citigo Colour Edition, 60bhp. Decent little car, just underpowered. The Up GTi really didn't add anything to the spec, apart from a turbo and more power and some different upholstery. Heated seats were an option, sat nav was a bracket to hold your phone. Pretty miserly spec for the asking price.
There's very little in it between the Picanto and Up as far as ride, handling, practicality and perceived quality go. If anything, the Kia looks a bit more upmarket inside - no painted metal. The Up GTi is a bit quicker on paper, with 15 bhp more. The 1 litre Kia engine makes 120bhp in other models, it's like Kia have detuned it a bit to keep insurance down and improve economy. I got a true (multiple brim to brim) 52mpg average over 2 years in my old one. The current one looks to be on track to better that, showing 62mpg on the trip computer so far.
My take is, the Kia is a better bet while the 7 year warranty is running, the VW will probably hold more value at 7+ years. Enough to be worth the higher price, who knows?
When I was looking 4 years ago, I was also considering the Up GTi. The Kia in "S" trim was a bit cheaper than the VW, but had far more kit. The only thing missing is auto- fold mirrors - you have to press a button. Face-lift models lost the electric sunroof, but got a better infotainment system, and some changes to the engine management to eliminate jerkiness when moving off from cold. The whole drive train does feel a bit more refined now.
Before the first Kia I had a Citigo Colour Edition, 60bhp. Decent little car, just underpowered. The Up GTi really didn't add anything to the spec, apart from a turbo and more power and some different upholstery. Heated seats were an option, sat nav was a bracket to hold your phone. Pretty miserly spec for the asking price.
There's very little in it between the Picanto and Up as far as ride, handling, practicality and perceived quality go. If anything, the Kia looks a bit more upmarket inside - no painted metal. The Up GTi is a bit quicker on paper, with 15 bhp more. The 1 litre Kia engine makes 120bhp in other models, it's like Kia have detuned it a bit to keep insurance down and improve economy. I got a true (multiple brim to brim) 52mpg average over 2 years in my old one. The current one looks to be on track to better that, showing 62mpg on the trip computer so far.
My take is, the Kia is a better bet while the 7 year warranty is running, the VW will probably hold more value at 7+ years. Enough to be worth the higher price, who knows?
I've only driven the non GT/GTI variant of both, but from that perspective I don't think you'll be disappointed with either. The Up will cost you more to buy, but I would wager good money will hold it's value much better, they have a strong following in some circles. The Kia will be cheaper to buy and the longer warranty is obviously a big plus point if you intend to keep it long term.
I would drive both and make the decision based on that.
I would drive both and make the decision based on that.
ChrisH72 said:
The 1.0 turbo should easily make 140bhp. It's a shame Hyundai never made an i10N with around that power, I'm sure it would've been a hit.
Celtic Tuning, who have remapped 2 cars for me in the past, say the Picanto turbo can be remapped to 140bhp and 155 lb/ft. A useful gain, but would lose the warranty.We're on our second up! GTI now. Aside from the obvious trim differences over the TSI (the lovely Oswald alloys, boot spoiler, tinted windows, multi-function GTI steering wheel, dark headlining etc.), the engine also has a larger turbocharger (so will remap to 150bhp easily), has better brakes, uprated springs and dampers, and crucially has a six speed 'box. There is of course a cost difference to purchase, but I'd wager the actual cost of ownership will be no different, if not in favour of the GTI. I sold my first one at 3-years-old and lost no money, and residuals seem to be holding up, potentially helped by the fact they have now discontinued the car. I actually like my up! GTI so much that I don't think I'll ever be without one, it's definitely the most fun car I own. I had pledged to give it to my son in 3 years time, but I've mentally backed out of that already!
One thing you must do is run the correct tyre pressures (30/28), and upgrade the stock rubber. They come from the factory with overinflated eco-rubber, and it does the car no favours at all.
One thing you must do is run the correct tyre pressures (30/28), and upgrade the stock rubber. They come from the factory with overinflated eco-rubber, and it does the car no favours at all.
Plenty suggesting the up! GTI will become a future classic...
https://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/futur...
https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/wheeler-de...
Ultimately though, I know lots of people who love them, and a few that really didn't like them at all. You've really got to try one, or you could be pointlessly debating the choice.
https://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/futur...
https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/wheeler-de...
Ultimately though, I know lots of people who love them, and a few that really didn't like them at all. You've really got to try one, or you could be pointlessly debating the choice.
I'm in the market for either a new Picanto GT Line S or a Hyundai I10 N-Line - basically the same car underneath from what I can tell. It will be a second car doing 5k miles per year, main car is a Polestar 2.
Brand new the Kia is decent value at the moment, best price I got including metallic is £15.6k, the Hyundai is £1k more as they aren't doing any deposit contributions.
Never driven either, but they get glowing reviews.
I briefly had an UP! GTI a couple of years ago, always wanted one and went for a red used one, 3 door. Cracking car, but I could never gel with the ride quality - I changed the tyres and pressures as mentioned above but it never really felt right to me. Fine one minute, awful when driving on certain poor roads. I ended up selling it back to the dealer for more than I paid for it (back in those weird used price days) and leased a Seat Mii electric for a couple of years dirt cheap, which was a fantastic car BTW.
Still get the urge for another GTI whenever I see one, but I think I might end up with the Picanto this time.
Brand new the Kia is decent value at the moment, best price I got including metallic is £15.6k, the Hyundai is £1k more as they aren't doing any deposit contributions.
Never driven either, but they get glowing reviews.
I briefly had an UP! GTI a couple of years ago, always wanted one and went for a red used one, 3 door. Cracking car, but I could never gel with the ride quality - I changed the tyres and pressures as mentioned above but it never really felt right to me. Fine one minute, awful when driving on certain poor roads. I ended up selling it back to the dealer for more than I paid for it (back in those weird used price days) and leased a Seat Mii electric for a couple of years dirt cheap, which was a fantastic car BTW.
Still get the urge for another GTI whenever I see one, but I think I might end up with the Picanto this time.
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