Hatchback Petrol Automatic FWD 5-seat

KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto

Price in Kimberley, real specs & fuel economy — 2026

Model year 2026 Generation Third generation (JA) since 2017; 2021 facelift model current in SA Current version 2021 Body style Hatchback
Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is a South African Hatchback with a hatchback body and petrol power.
ZAR 278,995
On-road in
ZAR 289,216
What makes up this price?
Vehicle price (ex-showroom)
ZAR 278,995
Registration allowance
ZAR 3,500
Licensing allowance
ZAR 1,300
Inspection / roadworthy allowance
ZAR 850
Dealer handling / delivery
ZAR 2,200
Insurance
ZAR 2,371
Other fees
ZAR 0
Ex-showroom ZAR 278,995
Estimated finance from ZAR 4,948/month Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:998cc (1.0L) Torque:94Nm (69 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:155mm (6.1″) Power:49kW (66 bhp) Boot255L (9.0 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 16.4 km/l (39 mpg)
City 13.5 km/l (32 mpg)
Highway 20.4 km/l (48 mpg)

On-road pricing varies by dealer. Fuel figures are manufacturer claims or source-backed estimates where a separate city/highway cycle is not published; your real numbers depend on traffic, terrain and driving style.

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Hagalu editorial rating: Not yet rated

Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto in South Africa. The default illustration uses the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest over 60 months and no balloon payment.

Estimated monthly instalment
ZAR 4,948
Total Interest
ZAR 71,900
Total Payable
ZAR 296,900
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment. Excludes initiation fees, monthly service fees, credit-life insurance and vehicle insurance. Your lender quotation may differ.

Vehicle specifications and buying guidance • Hagalu

KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto

Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is a South African Hatchback with a hatchback body and petrol power.

The LX Auto delivers both features at a price point that remains accessible to the budget-conscious urban buyer who cannot justify the step to EX specification. The mechanical foundation of the LX Auto is the 1.0-litre G3LA three-cylinder petrol engine producing 49 kW at 6000 rpm and 94 Nm at 3500 rpm, paired with the same four-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox used in the LS Auto. Combined fuel consumption rises to 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres versus the LX Manual's 5.6 — the same 0.3-litre automatic premium observed across the LS variants. The four-speed automatic's specific behaviour is worth examining honestly, as it is the same unit used across all Picanto automatic variants. At low urban speeds in stop-go conditions, the torque converter's smooth slip behaviour means transitions from stationary to moving are seamless and controlled — no jerkiness, no stalling risk, no clutch slip to manage. The shift from third to fourth in more rapid acceleration is where the torque converter's older design reveals itself most clearly: there is a brief lag and a mild lurch as fourth engages at higher speeds. The LX Auto's fuel economy of 5.9 L/100km combined provides a real-world range of approximately 780 kilometres from the 46-litre tank. At South Africa's petrol price levels, the monthly fuel cost for this commute profile makes the Picanto LX Auto one of the most economical automatic new cars available in the country — only the Suzuki Celerio Auto and the Renault Kwid Auto compete in this economy bracket among automatics. The Picanto 1.0 LX Auto has a clearer South African buying case when its hatchback shape is connected to the work it must do. The useful starting points are a South African price reference of R278,995 and engine of 1-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol; together they explain more than a badge or a screen size for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto. For daily transport, the deciding question is whether the vehicle remains comfortable and affordable after ordinary fuel, insurance, tyre and service costs are included for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto

KIA Picanto — Quick Facts

KIA Picanto Variants & Prices

Pick up to 3 variants, hit Compare Variants and you'll get a proper side-by-side spec breakdown.

Maximum 3 variants reached
Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Efficiency / range Transmission Price
1.0 LS Manual Base Petrol Efficiency17.9 km/l Manual ZAR 236,995
1.0 LS Auto Base Petrol Efficiency16.4 km/l Automatic ZAR 256,995
1.0 LX Manual Mid Petrol Efficiency17.9 km/l Manual ZAR 260,995
1.0 LX Auto Mid Petrol Efficiency16.4 km/l Automatic ZAR 278,995
1.2 EX Manual Top Petrol Efficiency17.2 km/l Manual ZAR 284,995
1.2 EX Auto Top Petrol Efficiency15.9 km/l Automatic ZAR 302,995
1.2 EX+ Manual Flagship Petrol Efficiency17.2 km/l Manual ZAR 307,995
1.2 EX+ Auto Flagship Petrol Efficiency15.9 km/l Automatic ZAR 325,995
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Efficiency / range Transmission Price
1.0 LS Manual Base Petrol Efficiency17.9 km/l Manual ZAR 236,995
1.0 LS Auto Base Petrol Efficiency16.4 km/l Automatic ZAR 256,995
1.0 LX Manual Mid Petrol Efficiency17.9 km/l Manual ZAR 260,995
1.0 LX Auto Mid Petrol Efficiency16.4 km/l Automatic ZAR 278,995
1.2 EX Manual Top Petrol Efficiency17.2 km/l Manual ZAR 284,995
1.2 EX Auto Top Petrol Efficiency15.9 km/l Automatic ZAR 302,995
1.2 EX+ Manual Flagship Petrol Efficiency17.2 km/l Manual ZAR 307,995
1.2 EX+ Auto Flagship Petrol Efficiency15.9 km/l Automatic ZAR 325,995
2 variants selected
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KIA Picanto Specifications

Showing all 587 non-empty supported buyer-facing fields for 1.0 LX Auto. Blank contract fields are not fabricated.

Driving fit

Where the KIA Picanto Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

The Picanto LX Automatic occupies the precise intersection of the two most common buyer requests in the South African city car segment: automatic transmission and smartphone connectivity. A shopper researching Picanto 1.0 LX Auto should separate need from showroom appeal

City
Around town, Picanto 1.0 LX Auto should be judged by repetition rather than a single burst of acceleration. The relevance of a South African price reference of R278,995 becomes obvious on a busy weekday, while engine of 1-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol is worth checking before a purchase built around tight parking or frequent loading
Highway
The LX Auto variant exists for a buyer who has made two specific decisions simultaneously: they want automatic transmission, and they want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment, but they do not need the leather, alloys, cruise control, and reverse camera of the EX. On a South African freeway or inter-city road, take the Picanto 1.0 LX Auto out with the load it normally carries
Off-Road
The CarPlay and Android Auto integration, standard at LX level, integrates with the touchscreen infotainment unit through which the driver controls navigation, audio, and communication. If the Picanto 1.0 LX Auto will leave smooth tar, test the actual road rather than the image around it. Check engine of 1-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol against the stated drivetrain

KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto — Should You Buy It?

Not yet rated: no complete Hagalu editorial review is published for this exact variant. The buyer guidance below is not a scored review.

Picanto 1.0 LX Auto deserves a closer look when its price, equipment and powertrain fit the owner’s route.

Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is easiest to recommend when the buyer can point to a concrete benefit in a Automatic transmission and accept the limitation represented by an active listing. A fair review of Picanto 1.0 LX Auto should end with the owner’s route, not a universal verdict. The combination of a power output of 49 kW @ 6000 rpm, a 4-Speed Automatic transmission and a 4-Speed Automatic transmission can be valuable for the right driver for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto. The same package may feel expensive or inconvenient if the vehicle spends its life in a different role for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto. Drive the exact version loaded as it will be used, then read the service, warranty, tyre and insurance costs beside the purchase price for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto

What's Good
  • ✓Body style: Hatchback
  • ✓Fuel type: Petrol
  • ✓Transmission: Automatic
  • ✓Trim: mid
  • ✓Status: active
  • ✓South African price: R278,995
  • ✓Engine: 1-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
  • ✓Power output: 49 kW @ 6000 rpm
  • ✓Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Watch Out For
  • ✕Exact equipment for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto can vary by derivative.
  • ✕Real fuel use for Picanto 1.0 LX Auto depends on route, load and weather.
  • ✕The written Picanto 1.0 LX Auto quotation should be checked before purchase.
  • ✕Tyre, insurance and service costs need a separate Picanto 1.0 LX Auto budget.
  • ✕A short Picanto 1.0 LX Auto test drive cannot represent every ownership route.
  • ✕Picanto 1.0 LX Auto capability should not be inferred from body styling alone.
  • ✕The adjacent Picanto 1.0 LX Auto grade may suit a different workload.
  • ✕Published Picanto 1.0 LX Auto figures are planning references, not guarantees.
  • ✕Buyers should confirm Picanto 1.0 LX Auto stock and support terms.

KIA Picanto FAQs

The current recommended retail price listed for the KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is R278,995. This is the vehicle price before finance interest, insurance, registration and any dealer-added options.

The current south african range comprises 1.0 LS Manual, 1.0 LS Auto, 1.0 LX Manual, 1.0 LX Auto, 1.2 EX Manual, 1.2 EX Auto, 1.2 EX+ Manual, 1.2 EX+ Auto. Prices and equipment are shown by derivative so buyers can compare the actual local range rather than specifications from another market.

The listed ground clearance for the KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is 155 mm. Use that number as a practical comparison point against similar cars, especially if you regularly deal with steep driveways, gravel roads or uneven parking areas.

The listed engine capacity for the KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is 998 cc, with output shown as 49 kW (66 bhp). Where a model has more than one derivative, compare the specific variant because fuel type, gearbox and drivetrain can change the way it drives.

The combined fuel-economy figure shown for the KIA Picanto 1.0 LX Auto is around 16.4 km/l.

The Picanto LX Automatic occupies the precise intersection of the two most common buyer requests in the South African city car segment: automatic transmission and smartphone connectivity. A shopper researching Picanto 1.0 LX Auto should separate need from showroom appeal

Around town, Picanto 1.0 LX Auto should be judged by repetition rather than a single burst of acceleration. The relevance of a South African price reference of R278,995 becomes obvious on a busy weekday, while engine of 1-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol is worth checking before a purchase built...

The LX Auto variant exists for a buyer who has made two specific decisions simultaneously: they want automatic transmission, and they want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment, but they do not need the leather, alloys, cruise control, and reverse camera of the EX. On a South...

Buyers researching the KIA Picanto often compare it with rivals such as Suzuki Ignis , Toyota Starlet , Suzuki Swift , Hyundai Grand i10 , Toyota Vitz . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

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