Latest news with #MG
NZ Autocar
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
MG QS three-row SUV dots down in Australia
MG Motor Australia now has its large family-sized SUV, the MG QS. It has shipped and is now in dealerships across Australia. The same model is promised here as well, according to the local MG website. So it should arrive soon in both Excite and Essence trim levels. The QS has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine under the hood, delivering 153kW of power and 360Nm of torque. It mates to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Read our review of MG ZS hybrid+ Essence. MG says its QS is a genuine seven-seater, not a 5+2, and combines practical versatility with premium styling. The flexible third row of seats folds flat to make extra room for prams, sports gear, or luggage. Capacity ranges from 203 through 517 to 1052L, for seven, five and two seats in use, respectively. Both can tow up to 2000kg braked loads. Peter Ciao, Chief Executive Officer of MG Motor Australia, said: 'We're proud to officially welcome the MG QS to our dealerships across Australia. This is our first 7-seat SUV in the market, and it marks an exciting milestone for MG and our customers. 'The QS is designed with Australian families in mind – whether it's the school run, weekend sport or a family road trip. The extra space and versatility of a true 7-seater…will make a real difference in everyday life.' 'As always, we've focused on delivering exceptional value without compromising on style, performance or technology. With its spacious interior, turbocharged engine and premium features across both variants, the QS is a standout addition to our line-up. We're confident it will be a popular choice for families across the country.' Special features include tri-zone climate air, a powered fifth door and a Bose premium sound system. The QS comes with MG's 10-year factory warranty. Promotional drive-away pricing in Australia is $46,990 for the Excite 2wd model, and $50,990 for the Essence AWD version. Specifications
7NEWS
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Kia Picanto Sport review
The Kia Picanto is the cheapest new car you can buy in Australia right now. Note: This article is based on our most recent review of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no major changes to pricing or specification since its publication. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available. Read our latest price and specs article here for all the details. The pint-size micro-car briefly lost the title to the previous-generation MG 3, but the new MG 3 is pricier, handing the mantle of Australia's cheapest new model back to the Kia – though a new base model from the Chinese manufacturer shrinks the gap. As the entry point into the Korean brand's lineup, the Picanto packs in heaps of new and desirable features despite its low asking price, going heavy on the type of active safety tech the MG lacks. The Picanto retains both manual and automatic transmission options, as well as a two-variant range structure to offer more choice than most models at this end of the market. Here we're trialing the cheapest one – is it the pick? How much does the Kia Picanto cost? Here we have the most affordable Picanto on sale – the Kia Picanto Sport – which starts from $18,390 before on-road costs with a five-speed manual transmission, as tested. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the Kia Picanto like on the inside? Changes in the cabin are a little less dramatic than the exterior, but there are quite a few upgrades here. The fundamentals are the same but there are small changes like a new LCD instrument cluster that is more neatly integrated into the binnacle than the old analogue dials, and the seat fabric has been updated. Smaller details include the inclusion of USB-C charge ports, as well as additional buttons on the steering wheel and to the right of the driver's knee for applicable safety systems that have been added with this update. Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in 'premium' leatherette as standard, as is the gear shifter. There's definitely a more upmarket vibe to various points of touch and interaction, as well as the more fulsome tech suite that also helps justify price rises over previous iterations of the Picanto. It's all still quite basic and austere, but it's functional and attractive enough given the price point. The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which actually works properly now compared to older iterations, and the manual air-con is surprisingly powerful as I found out on a hot summer day. Storage is good thanks to a dual-tier shelf under the dashboard, augmented by 12V, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as adjustable cupholders and an open tray in the centre console. Everything is also ergonomically placed and positioned, with the centre stack angled slightly towards the driver and everything well within arm's reach – just don't go looking for soft plastics, because there are none. The back seat continues to surprise, given you can actually fit real people there despite the Picanto's tiny dimensions. I managed to fit two of my friends in the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto's tall and boxy proportions mean even someone my height (6'1″) can snugly fit – a longer road trip might be pushing it with regular use though. Being a budget city-car, there aren't a whole lot of back seat amenities here. You get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard seats as well as top-tethers across all three, but there are no air vents or folding centre armrest. In fairness, that's to be expected of a vehicle in this segment, but worth calling out if you're planning to use the second row somewhat often. Behind those rear seats there's 255 litres of cargo capacity, which can be expanded to 1010 litres with the rear seats folded. That's more than a Mazda 2 Hatch (250L), which is impressive given the Picanto's smaller size. There's a pretty big step up from the boot floor to the seat backs, though. All versions of the Kia Picanto feature a temporary space-saver spare wheel. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? The entire Picanto range is fitted with a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Kia Picanto drive? The bulk of Picanto buyers opt for the dearer four-speed auto, so it's great that Kia Australia has kept the five-speed manual on sale. Why? Well, for starters manuals are becoming harder and harder to find these days and, for a lot of younger motorists buying their first car, this could be a great way to get into an affordable new car and also practice 'driving stick'. It also gives you more control and an added ratio for the pretty basic and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine. With just 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque on tap, this little Kia is no pocket rocket – especially when peak torque doesn't come online until 4000rpm. However, this mini-car only weighs 976kg, so you can get it moving if you need to push it. I haven't driven an atmo manual for a while, so like me you might find you have to row through the gears a lot to keep the Picanto on the boil. It's more involving and helps you really get in touch with what the car's doing, but it can also be quite tiresome in stop-start city traffic. The Picanto has a very light clutch and an almost wobbly shift action, which early on might be a little jarring, but you soon learn to embrace the charm that comes with driving this little unit around town. It revs out willingly and is fairly responsive, but I'd ignore the shift indicator in the cluster because it encourages you to change gears at around 2000rpm, which is never going to work in hilly conditions. Keep in mind you don't get peak torque until 4000rpm and peak power until 6000rpm. While the new 'basic' digital instrumentation looks neat in the driver's binnacle, I feel this is a step backwards for the manual as it's difficult at times to gauge how many revs you have on board on take-off and how quickly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style display. Further, the vague clutch and shift actions can mean it's very easy to over-rev the Picanto on takeoff and between gearshifts. Having hill start assist definitely helps when setting off on an incline. It handles well too. That chunky leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and accurate steering calibration make this quite a fun little thing to punt around city streets. It rides pretty well to boot, erring on the firmer side but doing a good job of balancing comfort and dynamics. The Sport's little 14-inch alloys and 175/65 tyres add a bit more cushioning than the GT-Line's 195/45 R16s as well. The Picanto is also surprisingly settled on the freeway for such a little car, helped by Kia Australia's local tuning of the suspension and steering, perhaps as well as the fact the Picanto is sold in markets like Europe. While it takes a heavy foot to get anywhere quickly, you don't feel like you're in some dangerous little buzzbox that'll get blown away by passing buses and trucks. It's surprisingly sure-footed and confident at 100 clicks. Further, the five-speed manual's long final ratio means it's not spinning away at well above 3000rpm like it is in the four-speed auto. It just feels like it has longer legs in those scenarios. The Picanto has a slew of modern assistance features that should not only help you on the road but also give parents peace of mind when their youngster set out to drive in this big scary world. AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist as well as lane keep assist all actively intervene to avoid collisions or drifting out of one's lane. You also have Lane Following Assist, which will actively keep you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening way. There's also auto high-beam for the standard projector-type halogen headlights. Unfortunately, LED units are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this in the Picanto, but perhaps not models higher up in Kia's range. Note that Kia doesn't offer the Picanto with a more sophisticated AEB system incorporating pedestrian and cyclist detection – nor adaptive cruise control – despite it being available in the Korean domestic market. Probably nitpicking for this particular variant. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? The Kia Picanto is available in two trim levels – on test here is the base Sport. 2025 Kia Picanto Sport equipment highlights: 14-inch alloy wheels Space-saver spare Automatic halogen headlights Automatic high-beam Halogen daytime running lights Power-folding exterior mirrors 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless and wired Android Auto 4-speaker sound system Air-conditioning Cloth upholstery 6-way manual driver's seat with height adjustment (NEW) Height-adjustable headrests 60:40 split/fold rear seats Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and shifter 1 x front USB-A outlet 1 x front USB-C outlet Picanto GT-Line adds: 16-inch alloy wheels Reflector LED headlights LED daytime running lights LED front light bar LED rear combination light Gloss black grille, badging Chrome beltline trim Heated exterior mirrors 'Premium' upholstery Soft-touch centre armrest Height-adjustable front seats Alloy pedals 'D-Cut' steering wheel Gloss black interior trim 1 x USB-C port (behind centre console) To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Kia Picanto safe? The Kia Picanto no longer has an ANCAP safety rating, as its four-star rating from 2017 expired at the beginning of last year. Standard safety equipment includes: Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) Blind-spot assist Driver attention warning Forward collision warning High Beam Assist Lane Follow Assist Lane keep assist Leading vehicle departure alert Rear cross-traffic assist Rear occupant alert Reversing camera Rear parking sensors Safe exit warning To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Kia Picanto cost to run? The Picanto is backed by Kia's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Like the Korean brand's wider lineup, Kia offers seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for Picanto buyers, and maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Kia Picanto Australians love to buy the biggest and most expensive versions of most models, but for those more pragmatic buyers that take the 'right size, right size' approach, the base Picanto has a lot to offer. For just over $20,000 drive-away you have all the bases covered in terms of driver assistance and infotainment technologies, as well as a pretty economical and uncomplicated drivetrain that's cheap to run. Based on my real-world experience, you should be able to achieve over 550km between fills of the tiny 35-litre tank, which with 91-octane unleaded will make this one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get around. Props to Kia for decking out the Picanto with active safety features like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists, as well as active lane centring. While some may argue 'you shouldn't have your license if you need these things', it's a great safety net that the young, old and everyone in between will appreciate if they ever need it. You really don't need to spend up for the GT-Line either, unless you must have the more premium aesthetics and LED lighting, because the fundamentals of this new Picanto Sport are more than solid enough for the coin. Besides, if you're in the market for properly budget motoring, there's little else to choose from these days unless you buy used. Interested in buying a Kia Picanto? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Kia Picanto Pros Great value for money Comprehensive safety suite Save The Manual Cons Smaller and not as pretty as MG 3 Expired ANCAP rating Servicing isn't exactly cheap Top Line Specs Power: 62kW Fuel Type: Unleaded Petrol Economy: 5.4L/100km CO2 Emissions: 125g/km ANCAP Safety Rating: Untested
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 Kia Picanto Sport review
Kia Picanto Pros Kia Picanto Cons The Kia Picanto is the cheapest new car you can buy in Australia right now. Note: This article is based on our most recent review of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no major changes to pricing or specification since its publication. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information our latest price and specs article here for all the details. The pint-size micro-car briefly lost the title to the previous-generation MG 3, but the new MG 3 is a lot pricier, handing the mantle of Australia's cheapest new model back to the Kia. As the entry point into the Korean brand's lineup, the Picanto packs in heaps of new and desirable features despite its low asking price, going heavy on the type of active safety tech the MG lacks. The Picanto retains both manual and automatic transmission options, as well as a two-variant range structure to offer more choice than most models at this end of the market. Here we're trialing the cheapest one – is it the pick? Here we have the most affordable Picanto on sale – the Kia Picanto Sport – which starts from $18,390 before on-road costs with a five-speed manual transmission, as tested. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Changes in the cabin are a little less dramatic than the exterior, but there are quite a few upgrades here. The fundamentals are the same but there are small changes like a new LCD instrument cluster that is more neatly integrated into the binnacle than the old analogue dials, and the seat fabric has been updated. Smaller details include the inclusion of USB-C charge ports, as well as additional buttons on the steering wheel and to the right of the driver's knee for applicable safety systems that have been added with this update. Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in 'premium' leatherette as standard, as is the gear shifter. There's definitely a more upmarket vibe to various points of touch and interaction, as well as the more fulsome tech suite that also helps justify price rises over previous iterations of the Picanto. It's all still quite basic and austere, but it's functional and attractive enough given the price point. The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which actually works properly now compared to older iterations, and the manual air-con is surprisingly powerful as I found out on a hot summer day. Storage is good thanks to a dual-tier shelf under the dashboard, augmented by 12V, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as adjustable cupholders and an open tray in the centre console. Everything is also ergonomically placed and positioned, with the centre stack angled slightly towards the driver and everything well within arm's reach – just don't go looking for soft plastics, because there are none. The back seat continues to surprise, given you can actually fit real people there despite the Picanto's tiny dimensions. I managed to fit two of my friends in the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto's tall and boxy proportions mean even someone my height (6'1″) can snugly fit – a longer road trip might be pushing it with regular use though. Being a budget city-car, there aren't a whole lot of back seat amenities here. You get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard seats as well as top-tethers across all three, but there are no air vents or folding centre armrest. In fairness, that's to be expected of a vehicle in this segment, but worth calling out if you're planning to use the second row somewhat often. Behind those rear seats there's 255 litres of cargo capacity, which can be expanded to 1010 litres with the rear seats folded. That's more than a Mazda 2 Hatch (250L), which is impressive given the Picanto's smaller size. There's a pretty big step up from the boot floor to the seat backs, though. All versions of the Kia Picanto feature a temporary space-saver spare wheel. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The entire Picanto range is fitted with a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The bulk of Picanto buyers opt for the dearer four-speed auto, so it's great that Kia Australia has kept the five-speed manual on sale. Why? Well, for starters manuals are becoming harder and harder to find these days and, for a lot of younger motorists buying their first car, this could be a great way to get into an affordable new car and also practice 'driving stick'. It also gives you more control and an added ratio for the pretty basic and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine. With just 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque on tap, this little Kia is no pocket rocket – especially when peak torque doesn't come online until 4000rpm. However, this mini-car only weighs 976kg, so you can get it moving if you need to push it. I haven't driven an atmo manual for a while, so like me you might find you have to row through the gears a lot to keep the Picanto on the boil. It's more involving and helps you really get in touch with what the car's doing, but it can also be quite tiresome in stop-start city traffic. The Picanto has a very light clutch and an almost wobbly shift action, which early on might be a little jarring, but you soon learn to embrace the charm that comes with driving this little unit around town. It revs out willingly and is fairly responsive, but I'd ignore the shift indicator in the cluster because it encourages you to change gears at around 2000rpm, which is never going to work in hilly conditions. Keep in mind you don't get peak torque until 4000rpm and peak power until 6000rpm. While the new 'basic' digital instrumentation looks neat in the driver's binnacle, I feel this is a step backwards for the manual as it's difficult at times to gauge how many revs you have on board on take-off and how quickly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style display. Further, the vague clutch and shift actions can mean it's very easy to over-rev the Picanto on takeoff and between gearshifts. Having hill start assist definitely helps when setting off on an incline. It handles well too. That chunky leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and accurate steering calibration make this quite a fun little thing to punt around city streets. It rides pretty well to boot, erring on the firmer side but doing a good job of balancing comfort and dynamics. The Sport's little 14-inch alloys and 175/65 tyres add a bit more cushioning than the GT-Line's 195/45 R16s as well. The Picanto is also surprisingly settled on the freeway for such a little car, helped by Kia Australia's local tuning of the suspension and steering, perhaps as well as the fact the Picanto is sold in markets like Europe. While it takes a heavy foot to get anywhere quickly, you don't feel like you're in some dangerous little buzzbox that'll get blown away by passing buses and trucks. It's surprisingly sure-footed and confident at 100 clicks. Further, the five-speed manual's long final ratio means it's not spinning away at well above 3000rpm like it is in the four-speed auto. It just feels like it has longer legs in those scenarios. Unlike the MG 3, which lacks any form of modern active safety tech for now, the Picanto has a slew of modern assistance features that should not only help you on the road but also give parents peace of mind when their youngster set out to drive in this big scary world. AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist as well as lane keep assist all actively intervene to avoid collisions or drifting out of one's lane. You also have Lane Following Assist, which will actively keep you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening way. There's also auto high-beam for the standard projector-type halogen headlights. Unfortunately, LED units are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this in the Picanto, but perhaps not models higher up in Kia's range. Note that Kia doesn't offer the Picanto with a more sophisticated AEB system incorporating pedestrian and cyclist detection – nor adaptive cruise control – despite it being available in the Korean domestic market. Probably nitpicking for this particular variant. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto is available in two trim levels – on test here is the base Sport. 2025 Kia Picanto Sport equipment highlights: Picanto GT-Line adds: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto no longer has an ANCAP safety rating, as its four-star rating from 2017 expired at the beginning of last year. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Picanto is backed by Kia's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Like the Korean brand's wider lineup, Kia offers seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for Picanto buyers, and maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Australians love to buy the biggest and most expensive versions of most models, but for those more pragmatic buyers that take the "right size, right size" approach, the base Picanto has a lot to offer. For just over $20,000 drive-away you have all the bases covered in terms of driver assistance and infotainment technologies, as well as a pretty economical and uncomplicated drivetrain that's cheap to run. Based on my real-world experience, you should be able to achieve over 550km between fills of the tiny 35-litre tank, which with 91-octane unleaded will make this one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get around. Props to Kia for decking out the Picanto with active safety features like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists, as well as active lane centring. While some may argue "you shouldn't have your license if you need these things", it's a great safety net that the young, old and everyone in between will appreciate if they ever need it. You really don't need to spend up for the GT-Line either, unless you must have the more premium aesthetics and LED lighting, because the fundamentals of this new Picanto Sport are more than solid enough for the coin. Besides, if you're in the market for properly budget motoring, there's little else to choose from these days unless you buy used. Interested in buying a Kia Picanto? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Kia Picanto Content originally sourced from: Picanto Pros Kia Picanto Cons The Kia Picanto is the cheapest new car you can buy in Australia right now. Note: This article is based on our most recent review of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no major changes to pricing or specification since its publication. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information our latest price and specs article here for all the details. The pint-size micro-car briefly lost the title to the previous-generation MG 3, but the new MG 3 is a lot pricier, handing the mantle of Australia's cheapest new model back to the Kia. As the entry point into the Korean brand's lineup, the Picanto packs in heaps of new and desirable features despite its low asking price, going heavy on the type of active safety tech the MG lacks. The Picanto retains both manual and automatic transmission options, as well as a two-variant range structure to offer more choice than most models at this end of the market. Here we're trialing the cheapest one – is it the pick? Here we have the most affordable Picanto on sale – the Kia Picanto Sport – which starts from $18,390 before on-road costs with a five-speed manual transmission, as tested. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Changes in the cabin are a little less dramatic than the exterior, but there are quite a few upgrades here. The fundamentals are the same but there are small changes like a new LCD instrument cluster that is more neatly integrated into the binnacle than the old analogue dials, and the seat fabric has been updated. Smaller details include the inclusion of USB-C charge ports, as well as additional buttons on the steering wheel and to the right of the driver's knee for applicable safety systems that have been added with this update. Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in 'premium' leatherette as standard, as is the gear shifter. There's definitely a more upmarket vibe to various points of touch and interaction, as well as the more fulsome tech suite that also helps justify price rises over previous iterations of the Picanto. It's all still quite basic and austere, but it's functional and attractive enough given the price point. The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which actually works properly now compared to older iterations, and the manual air-con is surprisingly powerful as I found out on a hot summer day. Storage is good thanks to a dual-tier shelf under the dashboard, augmented by 12V, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as adjustable cupholders and an open tray in the centre console. Everything is also ergonomically placed and positioned, with the centre stack angled slightly towards the driver and everything well within arm's reach – just don't go looking for soft plastics, because there are none. The back seat continues to surprise, given you can actually fit real people there despite the Picanto's tiny dimensions. I managed to fit two of my friends in the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto's tall and boxy proportions mean even someone my height (6'1″) can snugly fit – a longer road trip might be pushing it with regular use though. Being a budget city-car, there aren't a whole lot of back seat amenities here. You get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard seats as well as top-tethers across all three, but there are no air vents or folding centre armrest. In fairness, that's to be expected of a vehicle in this segment, but worth calling out if you're planning to use the second row somewhat often. Behind those rear seats there's 255 litres of cargo capacity, which can be expanded to 1010 litres with the rear seats folded. That's more than a Mazda 2 Hatch (250L), which is impressive given the Picanto's smaller size. There's a pretty big step up from the boot floor to the seat backs, though. All versions of the Kia Picanto feature a temporary space-saver spare wheel. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The entire Picanto range is fitted with a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The bulk of Picanto buyers opt for the dearer four-speed auto, so it's great that Kia Australia has kept the five-speed manual on sale. Why? Well, for starters manuals are becoming harder and harder to find these days and, for a lot of younger motorists buying their first car, this could be a great way to get into an affordable new car and also practice 'driving stick'. It also gives you more control and an added ratio for the pretty basic and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine. With just 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque on tap, this little Kia is no pocket rocket – especially when peak torque doesn't come online until 4000rpm. However, this mini-car only weighs 976kg, so you can get it moving if you need to push it. I haven't driven an atmo manual for a while, so like me you might find you have to row through the gears a lot to keep the Picanto on the boil. It's more involving and helps you really get in touch with what the car's doing, but it can also be quite tiresome in stop-start city traffic. The Picanto has a very light clutch and an almost wobbly shift action, which early on might be a little jarring, but you soon learn to embrace the charm that comes with driving this little unit around town. It revs out willingly and is fairly responsive, but I'd ignore the shift indicator in the cluster because it encourages you to change gears at around 2000rpm, which is never going to work in hilly conditions. Keep in mind you don't get peak torque until 4000rpm and peak power until 6000rpm. While the new 'basic' digital instrumentation looks neat in the driver's binnacle, I feel this is a step backwards for the manual as it's difficult at times to gauge how many revs you have on board on take-off and how quickly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style display. Further, the vague clutch and shift actions can mean it's very easy to over-rev the Picanto on takeoff and between gearshifts. Having hill start assist definitely helps when setting off on an incline. It handles well too. That chunky leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and accurate steering calibration make this quite a fun little thing to punt around city streets. It rides pretty well to boot, erring on the firmer side but doing a good job of balancing comfort and dynamics. The Sport's little 14-inch alloys and 175/65 tyres add a bit more cushioning than the GT-Line's 195/45 R16s as well. The Picanto is also surprisingly settled on the freeway for such a little car, helped by Kia Australia's local tuning of the suspension and steering, perhaps as well as the fact the Picanto is sold in markets like Europe. While it takes a heavy foot to get anywhere quickly, you don't feel like you're in some dangerous little buzzbox that'll get blown away by passing buses and trucks. It's surprisingly sure-footed and confident at 100 clicks. Further, the five-speed manual's long final ratio means it's not spinning away at well above 3000rpm like it is in the four-speed auto. It just feels like it has longer legs in those scenarios. Unlike the MG 3, which lacks any form of modern active safety tech for now, the Picanto has a slew of modern assistance features that should not only help you on the road but also give parents peace of mind when their youngster set out to drive in this big scary world. AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist as well as lane keep assist all actively intervene to avoid collisions or drifting out of one's lane. You also have Lane Following Assist, which will actively keep you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening way. There's also auto high-beam for the standard projector-type halogen headlights. Unfortunately, LED units are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this in the Picanto, but perhaps not models higher up in Kia's range. Note that Kia doesn't offer the Picanto with a more sophisticated AEB system incorporating pedestrian and cyclist detection – nor adaptive cruise control – despite it being available in the Korean domestic market. Probably nitpicking for this particular variant. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto is available in two trim levels – on test here is the base Sport. 2025 Kia Picanto Sport equipment highlights: Picanto GT-Line adds: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto no longer has an ANCAP safety rating, as its four-star rating from 2017 expired at the beginning of last year. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Picanto is backed by Kia's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Like the Korean brand's wider lineup, Kia offers seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for Picanto buyers, and maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Australians love to buy the biggest and most expensive versions of most models, but for those more pragmatic buyers that take the "right size, right size" approach, the base Picanto has a lot to offer. For just over $20,000 drive-away you have all the bases covered in terms of driver assistance and infotainment technologies, as well as a pretty economical and uncomplicated drivetrain that's cheap to run. Based on my real-world experience, you should be able to achieve over 550km between fills of the tiny 35-litre tank, which with 91-octane unleaded will make this one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get around. Props to Kia for decking out the Picanto with active safety features like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists, as well as active lane centring. While some may argue "you shouldn't have your license if you need these things", it's a great safety net that the young, old and everyone in between will appreciate if they ever need it. You really don't need to spend up for the GT-Line either, unless you must have the more premium aesthetics and LED lighting, because the fundamentals of this new Picanto Sport are more than solid enough for the coin. Besides, if you're in the market for properly budget motoring, there's little else to choose from these days unless you buy used. Interested in buying a Kia Picanto? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Kia Picanto Content originally sourced from: Picanto Pros Kia Picanto Cons The Kia Picanto is the cheapest new car you can buy in Australia right now. Note: This article is based on our most recent review of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no major changes to pricing or specification since its publication. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information our latest price and specs article here for all the details. The pint-size micro-car briefly lost the title to the previous-generation MG 3, but the new MG 3 is a lot pricier, handing the mantle of Australia's cheapest new model back to the Kia. As the entry point into the Korean brand's lineup, the Picanto packs in heaps of new and desirable features despite its low asking price, going heavy on the type of active safety tech the MG lacks. The Picanto retains both manual and automatic transmission options, as well as a two-variant range structure to offer more choice than most models at this end of the market. Here we're trialing the cheapest one – is it the pick? Here we have the most affordable Picanto on sale – the Kia Picanto Sport – which starts from $18,390 before on-road costs with a five-speed manual transmission, as tested. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Changes in the cabin are a little less dramatic than the exterior, but there are quite a few upgrades here. The fundamentals are the same but there are small changes like a new LCD instrument cluster that is more neatly integrated into the binnacle than the old analogue dials, and the seat fabric has been updated. Smaller details include the inclusion of USB-C charge ports, as well as additional buttons on the steering wheel and to the right of the driver's knee for applicable safety systems that have been added with this update. Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in 'premium' leatherette as standard, as is the gear shifter. There's definitely a more upmarket vibe to various points of touch and interaction, as well as the more fulsome tech suite that also helps justify price rises over previous iterations of the Picanto. It's all still quite basic and austere, but it's functional and attractive enough given the price point. The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which actually works properly now compared to older iterations, and the manual air-con is surprisingly powerful as I found out on a hot summer day. Storage is good thanks to a dual-tier shelf under the dashboard, augmented by 12V, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as adjustable cupholders and an open tray in the centre console. Everything is also ergonomically placed and positioned, with the centre stack angled slightly towards the driver and everything well within arm's reach – just don't go looking for soft plastics, because there are none. The back seat continues to surprise, given you can actually fit real people there despite the Picanto's tiny dimensions. I managed to fit two of my friends in the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto's tall and boxy proportions mean even someone my height (6'1″) can snugly fit – a longer road trip might be pushing it with regular use though. Being a budget city-car, there aren't a whole lot of back seat amenities here. You get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard seats as well as top-tethers across all three, but there are no air vents or folding centre armrest. In fairness, that's to be expected of a vehicle in this segment, but worth calling out if you're planning to use the second row somewhat often. Behind those rear seats there's 255 litres of cargo capacity, which can be expanded to 1010 litres with the rear seats folded. That's more than a Mazda 2 Hatch (250L), which is impressive given the Picanto's smaller size. There's a pretty big step up from the boot floor to the seat backs, though. All versions of the Kia Picanto feature a temporary space-saver spare wheel. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The entire Picanto range is fitted with a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The bulk of Picanto buyers opt for the dearer four-speed auto, so it's great that Kia Australia has kept the five-speed manual on sale. Why? Well, for starters manuals are becoming harder and harder to find these days and, for a lot of younger motorists buying their first car, this could be a great way to get into an affordable new car and also practice 'driving stick'. It also gives you more control and an added ratio for the pretty basic and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine. With just 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque on tap, this little Kia is no pocket rocket – especially when peak torque doesn't come online until 4000rpm. However, this mini-car only weighs 976kg, so you can get it moving if you need to push it. I haven't driven an atmo manual for a while, so like me you might find you have to row through the gears a lot to keep the Picanto on the boil. It's more involving and helps you really get in touch with what the car's doing, but it can also be quite tiresome in stop-start city traffic. The Picanto has a very light clutch and an almost wobbly shift action, which early on might be a little jarring, but you soon learn to embrace the charm that comes with driving this little unit around town. It revs out willingly and is fairly responsive, but I'd ignore the shift indicator in the cluster because it encourages you to change gears at around 2000rpm, which is never going to work in hilly conditions. Keep in mind you don't get peak torque until 4000rpm and peak power until 6000rpm. While the new 'basic' digital instrumentation looks neat in the driver's binnacle, I feel this is a step backwards for the manual as it's difficult at times to gauge how many revs you have on board on take-off and how quickly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style display. Further, the vague clutch and shift actions can mean it's very easy to over-rev the Picanto on takeoff and between gearshifts. Having hill start assist definitely helps when setting off on an incline. It handles well too. That chunky leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and accurate steering calibration make this quite a fun little thing to punt around city streets. It rides pretty well to boot, erring on the firmer side but doing a good job of balancing comfort and dynamics. The Sport's little 14-inch alloys and 175/65 tyres add a bit more cushioning than the GT-Line's 195/45 R16s as well. The Picanto is also surprisingly settled on the freeway for such a little car, helped by Kia Australia's local tuning of the suspension and steering, perhaps as well as the fact the Picanto is sold in markets like Europe. While it takes a heavy foot to get anywhere quickly, you don't feel like you're in some dangerous little buzzbox that'll get blown away by passing buses and trucks. It's surprisingly sure-footed and confident at 100 clicks. Further, the five-speed manual's long final ratio means it's not spinning away at well above 3000rpm like it is in the four-speed auto. It just feels like it has longer legs in those scenarios. Unlike the MG 3, which lacks any form of modern active safety tech for now, the Picanto has a slew of modern assistance features that should not only help you on the road but also give parents peace of mind when their youngster set out to drive in this big scary world. AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist as well as lane keep assist all actively intervene to avoid collisions or drifting out of one's lane. You also have Lane Following Assist, which will actively keep you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening way. There's also auto high-beam for the standard projector-type halogen headlights. Unfortunately, LED units are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this in the Picanto, but perhaps not models higher up in Kia's range. Note that Kia doesn't offer the Picanto with a more sophisticated AEB system incorporating pedestrian and cyclist detection – nor adaptive cruise control – despite it being available in the Korean domestic market. Probably nitpicking for this particular variant. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto is available in two trim levels – on test here is the base Sport. 2025 Kia Picanto Sport equipment highlights: Picanto GT-Line adds: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto no longer has an ANCAP safety rating, as its four-star rating from 2017 expired at the beginning of last year. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Picanto is backed by Kia's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Like the Korean brand's wider lineup, Kia offers seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for Picanto buyers, and maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Australians love to buy the biggest and most expensive versions of most models, but for those more pragmatic buyers that take the "right size, right size" approach, the base Picanto has a lot to offer. For just over $20,000 drive-away you have all the bases covered in terms of driver assistance and infotainment technologies, as well as a pretty economical and uncomplicated drivetrain that's cheap to run. Based on my real-world experience, you should be able to achieve over 550km between fills of the tiny 35-litre tank, which with 91-octane unleaded will make this one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get around. Props to Kia for decking out the Picanto with active safety features like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists, as well as active lane centring. While some may argue "you shouldn't have your license if you need these things", it's a great safety net that the young, old and everyone in between will appreciate if they ever need it. You really don't need to spend up for the GT-Line either, unless you must have the more premium aesthetics and LED lighting, because the fundamentals of this new Picanto Sport are more than solid enough for the coin. Besides, if you're in the market for properly budget motoring, there's little else to choose from these days unless you buy used. Interested in buying a Kia Picanto? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Kia Picanto Content originally sourced from: Picanto Pros Kia Picanto Cons The Kia Picanto is the cheapest new car you can buy in Australia right now. Note: This article is based on our most recent review of the Kia Picanto, as there have been no major changes to pricing or specification since its publication. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information our latest price and specs article here for all the details. The pint-size micro-car briefly lost the title to the previous-generation MG 3, but the new MG 3 is a lot pricier, handing the mantle of Australia's cheapest new model back to the Kia. As the entry point into the Korean brand's lineup, the Picanto packs in heaps of new and desirable features despite its low asking price, going heavy on the type of active safety tech the MG lacks. The Picanto retains both manual and automatic transmission options, as well as a two-variant range structure to offer more choice than most models at this end of the market. Here we're trialing the cheapest one – is it the pick? Here we have the most affordable Picanto on sale – the Kia Picanto Sport – which starts from $18,390 before on-road costs with a five-speed manual transmission, as tested. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Changes in the cabin are a little less dramatic than the exterior, but there are quite a few upgrades here. The fundamentals are the same but there are small changes like a new LCD instrument cluster that is more neatly integrated into the binnacle than the old analogue dials, and the seat fabric has been updated. Smaller details include the inclusion of USB-C charge ports, as well as additional buttons on the steering wheel and to the right of the driver's knee for applicable safety systems that have been added with this update. Oh, and the steering wheel is now trimmed in 'premium' leatherette as standard, as is the gear shifter. There's definitely a more upmarket vibe to various points of touch and interaction, as well as the more fulsome tech suite that also helps justify price rises over previous iterations of the Picanto. It's all still quite basic and austere, but it's functional and attractive enough given the price point. The freestanding 8.0-inch touchscreen offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which actually works properly now compared to older iterations, and the manual air-con is surprisingly powerful as I found out on a hot summer day. Storage is good thanks to a dual-tier shelf under the dashboard, augmented by 12V, USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as adjustable cupholders and an open tray in the centre console. Everything is also ergonomically placed and positioned, with the centre stack angled slightly towards the driver and everything well within arm's reach – just don't go looking for soft plastics, because there are none. The back seat continues to surprise, given you can actually fit real people there despite the Picanto's tiny dimensions. I managed to fit two of my friends in the rear with minimal complaints. The Picanto's tall and boxy proportions mean even someone my height (6'1″) can snugly fit – a longer road trip might be pushing it with regular use though. Being a budget city-car, there aren't a whole lot of back seat amenities here. You get the requisite ISOFIX child seat anchors on the outboard seats as well as top-tethers across all three, but there are no air vents or folding centre armrest. In fairness, that's to be expected of a vehicle in this segment, but worth calling out if you're planning to use the second row somewhat often. Behind those rear seats there's 255 litres of cargo capacity, which can be expanded to 1010 litres with the rear seats folded. That's more than a Mazda 2 Hatch (250L), which is impressive given the Picanto's smaller size. There's a pretty big step up from the boot floor to the seat backs, though. All versions of the Kia Picanto feature a temporary space-saver spare wheel. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The entire Picanto range is fitted with a 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The bulk of Picanto buyers opt for the dearer four-speed auto, so it's great that Kia Australia has kept the five-speed manual on sale. Why? Well, for starters manuals are becoming harder and harder to find these days and, for a lot of younger motorists buying their first car, this could be a great way to get into an affordable new car and also practice 'driving stick'. It also gives you more control and an added ratio for the pretty basic and meek 1.25-litre petrol engine. With just 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque on tap, this little Kia is no pocket rocket – especially when peak torque doesn't come online until 4000rpm. However, this mini-car only weighs 976kg, so you can get it moving if you need to push it. I haven't driven an atmo manual for a while, so like me you might find you have to row through the gears a lot to keep the Picanto on the boil. It's more involving and helps you really get in touch with what the car's doing, but it can also be quite tiresome in stop-start city traffic. The Picanto has a very light clutch and an almost wobbly shift action, which early on might be a little jarring, but you soon learn to embrace the charm that comes with driving this little unit around town. It revs out willingly and is fairly responsive, but I'd ignore the shift indicator in the cluster because it encourages you to change gears at around 2000rpm, which is never going to work in hilly conditions. Keep in mind you don't get peak torque until 4000rpm and peak power until 6000rpm. While the new 'basic' digital instrumentation looks neat in the driver's binnacle, I feel this is a step backwards for the manual as it's difficult at times to gauge how many revs you have on board on take-off and how quickly the tacho is rising on the clock radio-style display. Further, the vague clutch and shift actions can mean it's very easy to over-rev the Picanto on takeoff and between gearshifts. Having hill start assist definitely helps when setting off on an incline. It handles well too. That chunky leatherette-trimmed steering wheel and accurate steering calibration make this quite a fun little thing to punt around city streets. It rides pretty well to boot, erring on the firmer side but doing a good job of balancing comfort and dynamics. The Sport's little 14-inch alloys and 175/65 tyres add a bit more cushioning than the GT-Line's 195/45 R16s as well. The Picanto is also surprisingly settled on the freeway for such a little car, helped by Kia Australia's local tuning of the suspension and steering, perhaps as well as the fact the Picanto is sold in markets like Europe. While it takes a heavy foot to get anywhere quickly, you don't feel like you're in some dangerous little buzzbox that'll get blown away by passing buses and trucks. It's surprisingly sure-footed and confident at 100 clicks. Further, the five-speed manual's long final ratio means it's not spinning away at well above 3000rpm like it is in the four-speed auto. It just feels like it has longer legs in those scenarios. Unlike the MG 3, which lacks any form of modern active safety tech for now, the Picanto has a slew of modern assistance features that should not only help you on the road but also give parents peace of mind when their youngster set out to drive in this big scary world. AEB, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assist as well as lane keep assist all actively intervene to avoid collisions or drifting out of one's lane. You also have Lane Following Assist, which will actively keep you centred in your lane, and it does so in an unthreatening way. There's also auto high-beam for the standard projector-type halogen headlights. Unfortunately, LED units are reserved for the GT-Line flagship. I can forgive this in the Picanto, but perhaps not models higher up in Kia's range. Note that Kia doesn't offer the Picanto with a more sophisticated AEB system incorporating pedestrian and cyclist detection – nor adaptive cruise control – despite it being available in the Korean domestic market. Probably nitpicking for this particular variant. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto is available in two trim levels – on test here is the base Sport. 2025 Kia Picanto Sport equipment highlights: Picanto GT-Line adds: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia Picanto no longer has an ANCAP safety rating, as its four-star rating from 2017 expired at the beginning of last year. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Picanto is backed by Kia's seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Like the Korean brand's wider lineup, Kia offers seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for Picanto buyers, and maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km. To see how the Kia Picanto lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Australians love to buy the biggest and most expensive versions of most models, but for those more pragmatic buyers that take the "right size, right size" approach, the base Picanto has a lot to offer. For just over $20,000 drive-away you have all the bases covered in terms of driver assistance and infotainment technologies, as well as a pretty economical and uncomplicated drivetrain that's cheap to run. Based on my real-world experience, you should be able to achieve over 550km between fills of the tiny 35-litre tank, which with 91-octane unleaded will make this one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get around. Props to Kia for decking out the Picanto with active safety features like blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assists, as well as active lane centring. While some may argue "you shouldn't have your license if you need these things", it's a great safety net that the young, old and everyone in between will appreciate if they ever need it. You really don't need to spend up for the GT-Line either, unless you must have the more premium aesthetics and LED lighting, because the fundamentals of this new Picanto Sport are more than solid enough for the coin. Besides, if you're in the market for properly budget motoring, there's little else to choose from these days unless you buy used. Interested in buying a Kia Picanto? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Kia Picanto Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chinese Cars Are Invading Europe, And Some Of Them Are Pretty Good
There are over 150 different automakers in China right now struggling to find a way to stand apart from the crowd and find their market. In recent years China has found the European market ready and willing to accept cars from China, to the point where Chinese imports now make up over 20% of Euro market new car sales. As with all things from China, you have to separate the truly well engineered vehicles from the cheap underwhelming junk, but when you do, the cream rises to the top. Top Gear recently collected 20 examples of Chinese-built machinery and put them through the wringer of track testing to see which ones stand up to the rigors of daily operation. Some stood out in a good way and others fell flat on their face. Top Gear's Ollie Marriage and Tom Ford came to some pretty smart conclusions after driving all of these machines. In the good column, MG's Cyberster, the Lotus Eletre and Emiya, and XPeng's Tesla Model Y copying G6. Then there's the undriveable taff, like Chery's Omoda 5 and Skywell's BE11. Thankfully the good dramatically outweighs the bad, and every new model that enters the market has improved on the ones before it. China is building cheap and cheerful machines, particularly the small "supermini" class of cars. The best of the bunch are still Euro-centric brands building cars to their specifications in Chinese factories, but China is learning how to compete in the global automotive market. This feels analogous to Korean cars in the early 2000s or Japanese cars in the 1970s, but the learning curve is getting significantly shorter. Read more: These Are Your Worst Experiences With A Recall If the Chinese takeover of the global market continues apace, and the U.S. market remains a tariff-cutoff protectionist home market, it's entirely possible we'll see a dramatic decline in U.S. brand automobile exports. China doesn't necessarily have to build better cars to become the global leader in automobiles, either. With a Chinese stranglehold on developing markets in the global south, the so-called soft power of a company like BYD or Great Wall goes a long way toward pushing American manufacturers out. Americans already buy almost all of their goods from Chinese manufacturers, why not cars, too? If BYD could deliver its Dolphin Surf, a compact electric hatchback, to your door for under $25,000 wouldn't you be interested? I know I would. UK buyers can kip down to the shops and bag one for just 18,000 quid, they can. Ni hao, China. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The rise of Chinese automotive brands in Europe: Insights from 2025 so far
As we approach the midpoint of 2025, the momentum of Chinese brands has gathered more pace as they carve out their niche in the European market. With the introduction of the 'make origin' fields in GlobalData's Light Vehicle Sales Forecasts, we now have clearer visibility into the growth trajectory of these brands than ever before. The results from Q1 2025 reveal a remarkable 87% increase in Passenger Car sales in Europe (EU, EFTA, UK) compared to the same period in 2024, while the overall market contracted by 0.4%. Chinese origin brand market share in Europe Norway: a glimpse into the future? Norway stands out as the leading market with the highest share of Chinese origin brands, at 9%, driven by BYD, MG and XPeng. This success can be correlated to Norway's impressive adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which is nearing 90%. The pressing question for legacy car manufacturers is whether Norway serves as a precursor to the broader European market as the continent transitions toward electric mobility. The eventual acceptance of BEVs in Europe is likely to support the presence of Chinese brands, which excel in producing battery-powered vehicles that the Norwegian market has embraced. No BEVs? No problem. In Spain, Turkey, and the UK, each reporting a Chinese brand share exceeding 7%, the landscape is equally promising. Notably, Spain and Turkey have attracted substantial investments from Chinese manufacturers, which are establishing local production facilities and revitalizing legacy brands such as Ebro to cater to local Norway, these countries currently have lower BEV adoption rates, so Chinese brands are also offering Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) options to appeal to a broader audience. For instance, BYD has adapted its strategy to include more Plug-in variants of its vehicles, catering to the slower-than-anticipated EV sales in certain European markets. Thus, while conversations about Chinese automakers frequently highlight their strengths in the BEV sector, brands that have shown versatility with ICE and PHEV models have secured a substantial market presence in regions with lower EV adoption. Italy and Poland, in particular, have experienced rapid growth compared to the same quarter in 2024, driven by sales of ICE-based models from BYD, MG, and Chery. In the long term, brand familiarity gained through the use of their ICEs or PHEVs could act as a gateway vehicle, leading consumers in those countries toward fully electric models from these emerging brands. Legacy brands retrain their appeal The UK market, with a 7% share of Chinese brands in Q1 2025, illustrates the enduring impact of historical ownership on brand perception. MG, a brand with roots in the UK, has benefited from its legacy, despite its change in ownership. For emerging Chinese brands seeking to enter the European market, future partnerships and collaborations with established legacy carmakers could offer a valuable avenue to tap into brand history and existing consumer sentiment. In contrast, France and Germany, with their strong domestic automotive industries, show a more subdued performance for Chinese brands, with shares of only 2.2% and 1.3%, respectively, in Q1. This resistance to growth can be partly attributed to strong consumer loyalty toward established local manufacturers. Navigating the Premium market challenge Our forecasts indicate that the Premium Car segment will pose a significant challenge for Chinese brands. In less price-sensitive markets such as Sweden, Switzerland, and Luxembourg—where Premium and Super-Premium vehicles account for over 40% of Passenger Car sales—the factors influencing consumer decisions extend further beyond pricing compared to elsewhere. As a result, the growth of Chinese brands in these markets could be more limited until their reputations are more firmly established. Similarly, the growth of Chinese automakers competing with traditional Premium brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, is expected to be slower than that of Chinese brands targeting cheaper segments, tempering our volume growth expectations for BYD's YangWang brand, Nio and Hongqi. Conclusion The data from Q1 2025 largely presents an encouraging outlook for Chinese automotive brands in Europe. With strategic investments, adaptability to market needs, and a long-term focus on EV technology, these brands are poised for growth. However, challenges remain, particularly in markets with strong domestic loyalties and within the Premium segments. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve amidst tariffs, electrification, and other pivotal themes, GlobalData's new 'make origin' fields will provide valuable insights into how brands from various regions, including Chinese manufacturers, navigate these complexities. Sammy Chan, Manager, Sales Forecasts, GlobalData This article was first published on GlobalData's dedicated research platform, the . "The rise of Chinese automotive brands in Europe: Insights from 2025 so far" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. 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