Kia Picanto vs. Volkswagen up!: Complete comparison 2026

Kia Picanto, also known as the Kia Morning in some global markets, is an agile and reliable city hatchback that has gained popularity thanks to its attractive design and surprisingly rich equipment. Its challenger is the Volkswagen up!, an exceptionally practical and efficient compact car that is well-known on the market also under the names of its technically related group siblings, the Škoda Citigo and SEAT Mii. Let's take a detailed look at how these two popular competitors fare in a head-to-head battle and which of them represents the smarter choice for your daily journeys.

When choosing the ideal city car, exterior dimensions play a key role. Both the Kia Picanto and the Volkswagen up! represent the best that the city car segment has to offer, and looking at their proportions, it is clear that both models share a similar philosophy. If we focus on used cars about four years old (generations and model years available around 2022), both cars fight a very close battle in terms of length. The Volkswagen up! measures exactly 3600 mm, while the Kia Picanto is just a tiny 5 mm shorter at 3595 mm. In practice, this means that with both cars, you can easily park in even the smallest gaps in crowded streets.

However, a more significant difference can be found in the body width. With its 1645 mm, the Volkswagen up! offers a noticeably wider build than the Kia Picanto, whose standard version has a width of 1595 mm (or 1625 mm for specific trim levels and design packages). This extra width of up to 50 millimetres in favour of the Volkswagen has a positive effect on the interior space, especially regarding shoulder room for front-seat passengers. On the other hand, the narrower Picanto is a bit easier to squeeze through tight one-way streets and more comfortable to get out of in cramped garages.

As for height and wheelbase, both competitors have little to complain about. The height of both cars oscillates just below the 1.5-metre mark, which guarantees a reasonably low centre of gravity and plenty of headroom. The wheelbase of the Volkswagen up! is slightly longer (up to 2417 mm compared to exactly 2400 mm for the Kia), which gives it a slightly more mature driving character and smoothness when overcoming bumps. Conversely, the Picanto's shorter wheelbase benefits overall agility and uncompromising manoeuvrability. As a result, the wider and slightly longer-wheelbase up! will appeal to those looking for a more airy feel and a more stable car on the road, while the Picanto remains the absolute master of agile weaving through the urban jungle.

When choosing a used city car, practicality plays a surprisingly important role. Although models like Kia Picanto and Volkswagen up! spend most of their time in narrow streets or city parking lots, their owners often need to transport weekend groceries, sports bags, or luggage for shorter trips. The luggage compartment is therefore a key factor for everyday family usability and overall comfort. Looking at cars approximately four years old – specifically the third generation of the Kia Picanto (referred to as the JA generation) and the very popular first generation of the Volkswagen up! after its facelift – we find that both models are at the absolute top of their class and can please even more demanding drivers with their interior dimensions.

In terms of specific numbers, the Kia Picanto offers a 255-liter trunk in its standard five-seat configuration. However, if you fold down the rear seatbacks, you get an excellent 1,010 liters of interior space, which is sufficient even for transporting smaller pieces of furniture or oversized boxes. The Volkswagen up! practically keeps pace with its Korean rival in its base configuration, providing a perfectly comparable volume of 251 liters. After folding the rear bench, however, its maximum capacity increases to only 951 liters. The difference of nearly 60 liters in maximum volume in favor of the Kia can, in practice, mean space for several extra suitcases or significantly easier handling when loading bulkier items. The optional double floor also significantly contributes to the overall usability of both cars, as it can level the loading surface after the seats are folded.

It is also important to mention the differences in alternative powertrains that you might encounter in used car dealerships. While the Picanto relies almost exclusively on classic internal combustion engines, the fully electric e-up! version is very popular for the Volkswagen. Fortunately, thanks to the clever placement of the batteries, it maintains a nearly identical base volume of 250 liters. The reduction is only felt when the seats are folded, where the maximum capacity of the electric version stops at 923 liters. Thus, the electric drive does not demand significant compromises in spaciousness from the owner. Whether you choose the Kia or the Volkswagen, both hatchbacks offer a great balance between miniature dimensions for easy parking and surprisingly mature luggage space.

The towing capacity of the smallest city cars (A-segment), which includes the Kia Picanto and Volkswagen up!, is a parameter that significantly affects overall practicality and the ability to transport bulkier loads. On the market for four-year-old used cars, however, those interested in towing a trailer will encounter a fundamental limitation. Available data clearly shows that the modern Kia Picanto (JA generation) and the Volkswagen up! (1st generation) do not have homologation for towing a trailer. For both of these models around four years old, the standard and maximum weight for both braked and unbraked trailers is 0 kg (or the values are not specified by the manufacturer at all).

An exception can only be found in older cars. If we look at the previous generation of the Kia Picanto (TA generation, sold until 2017), it offered a maximum braked trailer weight of up to 700 kg for the 1.0 and 1.2 engines, while the standard unbraked weight was around 400 kg. The Volkswagen up!, on the other hand, does not offer this option across any of its model years or versions. This also applies to alternative powertrains – the fully electric e-up! model or the natural gas versions (EcoFuel) do not allow a tow bar at all due to a strict emphasis on the lowest possible weight and aerodynamic efficiency.

In practice, these differences mean that with an older Picanto, you could easily attach a small trailer. It could offer the ideal space for a few extra suitcases, and its capacity was easily sufficient for weekend shopping, longer holidays, or transporting materials to the garden. With modern four-year-old representatives of both brands, you have to forget about such flexibility. Any installed tow bar (the "ball") on newer models usually serves exclusively as a mount for bike racks and is neither designed nor homologated for actual trailer loads.

From the perspective of choosing a late-model used car, the verdict is quite strict: if you absolutely need a tow bar for a classic trailer, neither of today's four-year-old models will suffice. While with the Kia Picanto you can at least reach for a demonstrably older generation (TA) if you have this need, you will have to exclude the Volkswagen up! from your selection of towing vehicles entirely.

(Note: The modern Kia Picanto JA generation and Volkswagen up! 1st generation are not factory-homologated for towing a trailer, which is why data is missing for them. The table below, in accordance with the methodology, contains only available data for older Picanto model years where towing was permitted.)

The range of engine options for the Kia Picanto and Volkswagen up! demonstrates the completely different approaches of the two manufacturers to the city car segment. Differences in powertrains have a fundamental impact on fuel consumption, reliability, and performance, which should be among the main criteria when choosing a used car. While South Korea's Kia focuses on proven and structurally simpler petrol engines (both naturally aspirated and turbocharged) for cars around four years old, Volkswagen scores with a variety of alternative drives that is unprecedented for this class. Both models are based on modest one-litre three-cylinder engines; however, for drivers looking for a more spirited ride, a comparison of the top-of-the-line turbo engines is offered – the turbocharged 1.0 T-GDI (74 kW) in the Kia versus the German 1.0 TSI (66 kW) and even the sharply tuned up! GTI (85 kW). The decision on the used car market thus depends on the driver's profile: conservative drivers with a limited budget will appreciate the mechanical simplicity of Kia's petrol versions, while tech enthusiasts, drivers covering purely urban miles, or those interested in a purist sporty drive will find their ideal more likely with Volkswagen.

Kia Picanto

Under the hood of the current third-generation Kia Picanto (codenamed JA, corresponding to nearly-new used cars around the 2022 model year), you will find exclusively traditional internal combustion engines. This strategy brings a major advantage in the form of good mechanical reliability and low service costs. The range starts with the naturally aspirated 1.0 MPI / DPi three-cylinder with 49 kW (67 hp), intended primarily for heavy city traffic. More demanding drivers who occasionally head out onto country roads and motorways will prefer the more flexible 1.2 MPI / DPi four-cylinder (62 kW / 84 hp) or the top-of-the-line turbocharged 1.0 T-GDI direct-injection variant, which delivers a solid 74 kW (100 hp) and a maximum torque of 172 Nm. A precise five-speed manual transmission is standard for all engines, although a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) was also available for the naturally aspirated variants. The weakness of Kia's offering is the complete absence of full hybrid or electric versions. Looking at historical production data, it is also clear that the economical 1.0 LPG versions, which allowed for popular low-cost operation on autogas, ended with the TA generation and are no longer found on the market for relevant four-year-old JA generation cars.

Volkswagen up!

The range of engine options for the Volkswagen up! is among the most extensive on the used city car market. Volkswagen did not rely solely on conventional powertrains here but introduced highly efficient alternatives throughout the production of the 1st generation. The role of a reliable city car is fulfilled by the basic naturally aspirated 1.0 MPI petrol three-cylinder (available in 44 kW and 55 kW versions), which can be combined with a five-speed manual or the less smooth ASG automated manual transmission. Excellent flexibility across speeds is provided by the advanced 1.0 TSI turbo engine with 66 kW (90 hp). A true gem is the top-of-the-line up! GTI variant, whose one-litre TSI tuned to a powerful 85 kW (115 hp) combined with a precise six-speed manual makes the lightweight car a genuine pocket rocket. However, Volkswagen's immensely strong weapon is its economical eco-friendly variants: the eco up! model was cleverly modified by the manufacturer for very low-cost operation on compressed natural gas (CNG) with 50 kW, and the small e-up! electric car (61 kW / 210 Nm) celebrated huge sales success, with its improved battery from 2020 safely guaranteeing a great range for city commuting. According to available production information, all versions of the Volkswagen up! were gradually phased out of production in 2022 and 2023, leaving only attractive used examples available for interested buyers.

Choosing the right engine is absolutely crucial for long-term satisfaction with a used car. Our recommendations are based on real-world mechanic experience, actual fuel consumption, and verified owner feedback. While the Kia Picanto has retained the option of an exceptional and refined four-cylinder engine in recent years, Volkswagen has gradually narrowed its range for the up! model. As can be seen from the availability of models on the market, turbocharged 1.0 TSI units (with the exception of the top-of-the-line GTI version) ceased to be commonly offered around the turn of 2018 and 2019. In the market for roughly four-year-old used cars, a premium four-cylinder from Korea thus competes with a technically minimalist but indestructible three-cylinder from Germany.

For Kia Picanto we recommend: 1.2 MPI (62 kW / 84 hp)

Although the basic one-liter three-cylinder is perfectly adequate for the city, the larger naturally aspirated 1.2 MPI engine (referred to as DPI in newer model years) represents a huge and highly valued rarity in the segment of the smallest cars. It turns the Picanto into an unexpectedly versatile vehicle.

• Why it's the best choice: It is a mature four-cylinder that gives the small car extraordinary refinement for its class. It does not suffer from the vibrations typical of three-cylinder competitors and provides a very decent power reserve for safe overtaking and highway travel.
• Technical advantages: Thanks to indirect fuel injection, this engine is extremely resistant to carbon buildup, so it doesn't mind constant stop-and-go city traffic with a cold engine. It reliably rewards with smooth pull and real-world fuel consumption, which usually hovers around 5 to 5.5 liters per 100 km.
• What to watch out for: The Picanto's engine range is among the most reliable on the market, and the maintenance-free timing chains are designed for very high mileages. Caution is only necessary for cars without a documented service history – demand records of regular oil changes (max. every 15,000 km). For used cars permanently used in traffic jams, also check the clutch; if it engages jerkily or too high, it will soon be due for replacement.
• Who it's ideal for: For drivers who appreciate maximum mechanical reliability, require the quiet operation of a four-cylinder, and like to occasionally head out beyond the city limits without feeling like they are excessively straining the car.

For Volkswagen up! we recommend: 1.0 MPI (48 kW / 65 hp)

Given that the more powerful turbocharged 1.0 TSI engine completely disappeared from the standard range after 2019 and remained reserved only for the niche GTI version, the one-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder has become the absolute standard for roughly four-year-old used cars. It is a rational and mechanically very safe choice.

• Why it's the best choice: This lightweight three-cylinder is considered by service technicians across the market to be an exceptionally reliable unit. It does not use any delicate solutions and represents an ideal workhorse tuned for daily use in harsh city traffic without fear of unexpected failures.
• Technical advantages: The pull of 65 horsepower is surprisingly adequate for a car weighing roughly 900 kg. The engine warms up to operating temperature extremely quickly, does without an expensive turbocharger, and thanks to indirect injection, does not suffer from oil degradation during endless short trips. Real-world fuel consumption easily stays below the magic five-liter mark in normal driving.
• What to watch out for: Keeping the engine in perfect condition only means faithfully changing the oil and investing in new spark plugs roughly every 60,000 km. A more sensitive point of the car tends to be the MQ100 five-speed manual gearbox. During the test drive, listen carefully at idle – if you hear noise that stops immediately when the clutch pedal is depressed, you will likely soon face a clutch disc replacement. Occasional difficulty engaging reverse is also typical, which is due to the lack of synchronization and is a common design feature, not a serious defect.
• Who it's ideal for: For the typical city user or daily commuter looking for an exceptionally maneuverable car with minimal operating costs and no intention of breaking speed records on the highway.

Paper Promises vs. Real-World Driving

Official fuel consumption figures provided by manufacturers are often overly optimistic in practice, and relying on them when choosing a used car can lead to unnecessary disappointment. In real-world driving, where air conditioning, frequent starts at city traffic lights, vehicle load, or fast highway trips come into play, actual values can differ by more than one liter of fuel per hundred kilometers.

To get the most accurate picture of the actual appetite of roughly four-year-old used cars (model years around 2020–2022), we analyzed data from the independent user portal Spritmonitor.de. Here, thousands of real drivers record their daily refueling, providing a much more accurate view than laboratory measurements from car manufacturers.

The following table shows average real-world values for the most common engines on the market, clearly organized by powertrain type:

How Do Individual Engines Perform?

Looking at real-world data, it is clear that the basic one-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engines are the absolute most economical gasoline choice for both models. The Volkswagen up! with the base 1.0 MPI engine is, in practice, about two-tenths of a liter more efficient than the equivalent 1.0 DPI under the hood of the Kia Picanto.

An interesting and perhaps surprising finding for many is that small turbocharged engines (the downsizing concept) do not actually reduce consumption in this segment; on the contrary. The 1.0 T-GDI unit in the Kia requires over 6 liters in the real world because it simply needs more fuel to cool components under load. On the other hand, the sporty Volkswagen up! GTI with the 1.0 TSI engine proves the VW Group's long-standing experience with turbocharging and, despite significantly higher power and better dynamics, manages to keep the average below the six-liter mark.

A completely missing element in the segment of roughly four-year-old city cars is diesel engines. For logical reasons, manufacturers have already abandoned them in this class, so a direct comparison with gasoline is no longer possible for newer used cars. A completely unique alternative for maximizing savings is the Volkswagen eco up! running on compressed natural gas (CNG), which offers incomparably low operating costs per kilometer driven.

What This Means for the Average User

Differences in consumption clearly shape which version you should choose based on your driving profile:

• City drivers and short-distance trips: If you spend your time in traffic jams and drive mostly in the city, choose the naturally aspirated 1.0 MPI (VW) or 1.0 DPI (Kia) engines. They warm up quickly, are highly efficient, and their simple construction promises longevity without high service costs.
• Suburban commuters and highway drivers: If you regularly drive on highways or travel outside of town, the investment in the more powerful naturally aspirated 1.2 DPI in the Picanto or the turbocharged 1.0 TSI in the Volkswagen is worth it. Although they have a slightly higher average consumption, at highway speeds of 130 km/h, they offer incomparably higher acoustic comfort and the necessary power reserve for safe overtaking.
• Delivery services and maximum savers: If you drive dozens of kilometers a day and have a refueling station nearby, the CNG version of the eco up! is the clear winner, drastically cutting your daily expenses.

Although minor differences in tenths of a liter exist, fuel consumption should not be the only and main deciding factor in the battle between these two models. Both the Kia Picanto and the Volkswagen up! represent above-average fuel-efficient vehicles in all their conventional engine versions, which certainly won't break the bank. Much more weight should be given to the verifiable technical condition, interior layout, and personal preference for the specific user interface when choosing a specific four-year-old used car.

In the used car market, both the Kia Picanto and the Volkswagen up! are highly sought-after. As representatives of the smallest A-segment, they score points with low operating costs and reliability. If we focus on cars approximately four years old (2021 to 2022 models), we find that the price range for both models is very similar at the base level, but they differ in niche versions and how they hold their value over the long term.

Market prices (cars approx. 4 years old)

For four-year-old examples, the main market offering consists of models with basic naturally aspirated one-liter engines. Prices start slightly above the €8,000 mark. The Volkswagen up! can be slightly more expensive on average, which is due to the brand's strong reputation and often more extensive optional equipment chosen by the original owners.

Depreciation and factory warranty

From the perspective of residual value and investment protection, each car offers a different compelling argument for purchase:

• Kia Picanto and the warranty trump card: Kia standardly provides a seven-year factory warranty (or up to 150,000 km) on its vehicles. If you buy a roughly four-year-old Picanto today, you still have almost three years of the original warranty remaining. This makes it one of the safest choices among used cars, significantly stabilizing its price on the secondary market.
• Volkswagen up! and the status of a scarce commodity: Production of the up! model officially ended in 2023. Nearly new and slightly used units have thus become something of a scarce commodity. The model holds its value exceptionally well, primarily thanks to its reputation as one of the best-driving and most spacious city cars of its time.

What affects the price of specific versions?

When browsing listings, you will notice that for both cars, specific engines or trim levels can significantly drive the price up.

For the Kia Picanto, cars in the sporty GT-Line trim or with crossover-style cladding called X-Line are at the upper end of the price range. Versions with the turbocharged 1.0 T-GDi engine, which makes the small Picanto a very brisk car even outside the city, are also more expensive.

The Volkswagen up! has a much wider price range due to its diversity. At the very top of the range sit two completely different versions. The first is the purely electric e-up!, which holds its value excellently thanks to its great efficiency and the solid range of the version with the larger battery. The other extreme is the sporty up! GTI with 85 kW of power. This pocket rocket has almost cult status on the used market, and its prices drop very reluctantly. Also specific are the widely represented and affordable compressed natural gas (CNG) versions labeled EcoFuel, which attract buyers with extremely low running costs.

Although a once-prestigious five-star Euro NCAP rating is often mentioned in connection with these model lines or their earlier generations, it is essential to consider the context and the exact year of testing when buying a used car. Euro NCAP's independent protocols are constantly evolving and becoming more stringent over the years. Modern and much more demanding safety scenarios are gradually being introduced, such as stricter frontal impact simulations, advanced cyclist detection, or the ability of assistance systems to react at intersections. For this reason, percentage results and star ratings from different years cannot be directly compared, as a former top rating may already be insufficient by today's strict standards.

The third-generation Kia Picanto underwent testing in 2017. At that time, the car received only a three-star rating in its standard equipment, and from today's perspective, this safety certification has already fully expired. The Picanto performed solidly in adult passenger protection but lost significant points in child protection and assistance systems. The base models of that time lacked modern features such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and the structure of the rear seats meant a higher risk of neck strain for children in the event of an impact.

The Volkswagen up! has a rather specific history from the Euro NCAP perspective. Upon its market launch in 2011, this car received a full five-star rating, but in 2019, it was re-tested according to the modernized methodologies of the time. Newer and stricter rules dropped its result to three stars. Although the up! demonstrated very good passive safety for adults and excellent protection for children even in 2019, it lost valuable points for the protection of vulnerable road users (pedestrians) and the lack of modern assistance functions.

The following table clearly compares the last valid ratings for models found on the market as approximately four-year-old used cars:

The results show that even though both models represent an older design school and their safety equipment is gradually becoming obsolete, there is a vast difference in passive passenger protection between them. The low scores for assistance systems in both cars simply reflect the fact that these are affordable city cars in which advanced active safety was not mass-installed.

In an overall comparison, the Volkswagen up! provides a more comprehensive and robust level of passive safety according to more modern standards, from which child passengers in rear-seat car seats benefit most. Conversely, with its expired rating and significantly worse score in child protection, the Kia Picanto appears to be a less safe car for family use from a structural standpoint.

In addition to standard equipment, each model offers several unique features that can be decisive for the customer and demonstrate their very different approaches to added value.

Kia Picanto: Technological Sophistication and Distinctive Style

• Infotainment and Telematics: In models from recent years (post-facelift), the Picanto scores points with a large 8-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also exceptional in this class is the support for the Kia Connect app, which allows remote access to the vehicle, locating it, or checking the fuel level directly from a mobile phone.
• Trim Level Variability: Kia offers two completely different vehicle personalities. While the GT-Line version brings sporty bumpers, a more aggressive grille, and red accents, the X-Line version styles itself as a city crossover with plastic wheel arch cladding and a slightly increased ground clearance.
• Advanced Safety Assistants: For a car in the smallest segment, the Picanto offers mature safety electronics. Interesting features include the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection and active Lane Keeping Assist.
• Driving Characteristics and Chassis: To improve cornering agility, the Picanto uses a torque vectoring system by braking the inner wheel (TVBB). This effectively suppresses understeer and makes driving in the city and on country roads more fun.
• Engine and Transmission: Those looking for a more spirited drive can opt for the turbocharged 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder. For naturally aspirated versions, an automated manual transmission (AMT) is also available, which is more affordable than a traditional automatic but still provides significant relief in heavy city traffic.

Volkswagen up!: Smart Simplicity and Iconic Versions

• Smart Approach to Infotainment: Instead of expensive and quickly aging built-in displays, Volkswagen uses a very pragmatic solution. The system relies on the maps + more docking station on top of the dashboard. The driver secures their smartphone in it, which, after connecting with a dedicated VW app, becomes the trip computer, navigation, and media center of the car.
• Electric Hit e-up!: In the category of roughly four-year-old used cars, the electric e-up! version is one of the most interesting highlights of the entire model range. Thanks to a battery with increased capacity (32.3 kWh in newer models), the car can realistically travel around 250 km on a single charge, making it an exceptionally efficient city car.
• Iconic Sporty up! GTI Version: This model is a tribute to the original 1976 Golf GTI. It offers customers a great experience thanks to the turbocharged 1.0 TSI engine (115 hp), a proper six-speed manual transmission, lowered sports suspension, and iconic "Clark" plaid seats.
• Premium Audio: For music enthusiasts, Volkswagen offered the optional BeatsAudio sound system. With 300 W of power, an eight-channel amplifier, seven speakers, and a subwoofer hidden in the trunk, the up! provides a sound experience that easily exceeds the standards of the city car class.
• Practicality on a Small Footprint: Everyday use is significantly eased by the variable double luggage compartment floor. It levels the loading lip with the rear seats folded down and helps hide smaller items, maximizing the utility value of one of the largest trunks in its class (251 liters).

The Kia Picanto is an ideal choice for pragmatic buyers looking for a stylish, modernly equipped, and agile car exclusively for the city. Especially thanks to the long seven-year factory warranty, buying a four-year-old used car represents minimal risk and guarantees peaceful ownership for years to come.

The Volkswagen up! will appeal to drivers who demand mature driving characteristics, premium comfort, and high-quality workmanship from a city car. Despite the older onboard technology solution, this model holds its value excellently and offers a very refined experience behind the wheel.

Based on long-term user experience, service reports, recalls, and a comprehensive vehicle inspection, we have compiled an overview of the most common problems you should watch out for when choosing these used city cars.

The third generation of the Kia Picanto (type JA) is considered a very reliable city car, yet certain typical ailments associated with city traffic may appear as part of wear and tear.

• Clutch and gearbox: In manual transmissions, wear on the clutch lining appears relatively early. This applies especially to cars used exclusively in heavy city traffic with frequent starts in traffic jams.
• Engine and drivetrain: Naturally aspirated engines (1.0 DPI/MPI and 1.2 DPI/MPI) are exceptionally mechanically durable. However, the turbocharged 1.0 T-GDi engine occasionally suffers from carbon buildup on the intake valves if the car only drives short cold routes in the city. It is important not to underestimate regular oil changes.
• Electronics and infotainment: On better-equipped newer versions, owners occasionally complain about a freezing infotainment screen or dropouts in phone mirroring via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Usually, a software update solves this problem.
• Air conditioning: Sometimes problems with the air conditioning compressor clutch or minor refrigerant leaks appear, so the system must be carefully tested before purchase.

The Volkswagen up! in its newer model years offers very mature driving characteristics for the microcar class, but even its group technology has its specific weak points.

• Engine and cooling: In the 1.0 MPI and 1.0 TSI three-cylinder engines, a known oversight is premature coolant leakage around the water pump. The loss of fluid is usually gradual, but ignoring it can lead to engine overheating.
• Gearbox: The reverse gear in the manual transmission lacks synchronization, which often leads to unpleasant gear grinding when shifting. Furthermore, a noisier clutch bearing can often be heard.
• Chassis and brakes: A typical problem for light cars used in the city is the rear drum brakes. With gentle braking or long periods of standing outside, they tend to rust and "seize," which often requires cleaning.
• Air conditioning and bodywork: The air conditioning condenser is located in the front part relatively close to the road, making it susceptible to punctures from flying stones. A professional physical inspection of a used car should therefore always include a detailed cooling performance test and an inspection for damage under the bumper.
• Electronics (including e-up!): In the electric e-up! version, faults in the onboard charger or problems with a weak 12V battery occasionally appear, but the traction battery itself is extremely durable in the long term. In internal combustion versions, the contacts of the integrated smartphone dock sometimes fail.

When buying a used car, a thorough inspection is crucial. Here are some specific points to focus on for these two models around four years of age, where although they are nearly new cars, specific city traffic may have already left its mark. For maximum certainty, an independent technical inspection of the car is always a good step to reveal any hidden defects.

When choosing a Kia Picanto:

• Clutch and shifting smoothness: City traffic full of intersections takes a significant toll on the clutch. During the test drive, observe whether the clutch engages smoothly, doesn't jerk, and the pedal doesn't engage at the very end of its travel. If you are testing a version with an automated manual transmission (AMT), be prepared for slower reactions, but gear changes should not be accompanied by strong mechanical shocks.
• Chassis condition and axle play: The Picanto spends most of its time on streets with potholes and curbs. During the test drive, intentionally drive over several small bumps and listen for metallic sounds or dull thuds from the front axle. These often point to worn stabilizer links or tired ball joints.
• Carbon buildup in internal combustion engines: Especially the naturally aspirated 1.0 MPI and 1.2 MPI engines can suffer from carbon buildup during constant short city trips when the engine doesn't have time to fully warm up. A warning sign is an irregular idle, fluctuating RPMs, or a reluctance to rev smoothly when the engine is warm.
• Corrosion and rear brake function: Check the handbrake function and the condition of the rear brakes (often drum brakes here). In cars that have stood for a long time or driven minimally, the brake mechanisms can seize or rust excessively. A careful physical inspection of the car should also rule out early corrosion on the bottom edges of the doors and chassis parts.

When choosing a Volkswagen up!:

• Water leaks into the interior and moisture: This is a very well-known weakness of this model. During the inspection, carefully reach under the floor mats at the rear seats and into the luggage compartment under the spare wheel. Moisture, wetness, or even traces of mold indicate a problem with hardened door seals, clogged drainage channels, or faulty body ventilation flaps.
• Manual transmission noise: With a manual transmission, you can often hear clicking or rattling in neutral with the clutch released – in most cases, it's a noisier clutch release bearing, which is a common acoustic phenomenon for this model. When shifting into reverse (which has no synchronization), proceed more slowly; if it grinds significantly, the transmission may require service.
• Creaking from the front axle: Driving over speed bumps should ideally be quiet. Squeaking or creaking typically indicates worn silent blocks of the front arms. While not a catastrophic defect, the repair will require investment. A professional inspection of the used car on a lift will quickly identify this problem.
• ASG robotized transmission behavior: If you are considering a version with the ASG automated transmission (instead of a classic automatic), require a longer test drive in traffic jams and during parking. In principle, ASG does not shift as smoothly as a dual-clutch DSG, but if the car jerks noticeably when starting or the transmission hesitates unpleasantly long, you are likely facing an expensive clutch assembly replacement.
• Battery condition of the purely electric e-up!: If you are choosing the popular electric version e-up!, the key parameter is the state of health of the traction battery (SOH - State of Health). Always insist on a current battery diagnostic report. Higher degradation fundamentally shortens the already limited range, and given the price of a new battery, buying a car with a bad battery is grossly unprofitable.

Sources: ADAC, svetmotoru.cz, denik.cz, fdrive.cz, autojournal.cz, logistika.ihned.cz

This article was prepared using artificial intelligence tools. The section guarantor is Petr Dušek.