Kia Picanto gets comprehensive update

The Kia Picanto has over the years become a popular choice within its segment due to its unique styling and features. Kia Motors has made even more changes to the small vehicle model not only focusing on the styling but also what is hidden beneath.

Although the entire Picanto line-up has seen new additions to its exterior design, the GT-Line and X-Line models benefit the most from the recent enhancements. Front and centre on both the GT-Line and X-Line Picanto is a revised ‘tiger-nose’ grille featuring a new textured surround with the chrome-effect surround extending into the redesigned headlamps featuring four-bulb LED daytime running lights.

The grille on the GT-Line is garnished with a red highlight while the X-Line models receive a technical black trim to resemble air intakes. The rear also sees the addition of a new LED rear combination lamp which is complemented by a slimmer fog light design. The front and rear bumper designs on both the GT-Line and X-Line models have been updated to match the sharper creases found in the vehicle body design although the enhancements still follow the rugged and robust theme on the X-Line whereas the high-performance theme remains apparent on the GT-Line.

Differences on the front bumper in between the two models is; the GT-Line’s body-coloured bumper feature a wider air intake with black highlights and jewel-like fog lamps whereas the X-Line models see the addition of a protective skid plate with metal-effect trim and bearing the X-Line logo. Furthermore, the X-Line bumper features a gloss black surround which extends from the front grille into the wheel arch surrounds. The updated Picanto models will be offered with a range of 10 paint finishes and two new aluminium alloy wheel options taking form in either 16-spoke, 14-inch design, or a two-tone diamond-cut 16-inch specification.

On the interior occupants will notice a variety of visual and technological upgrades complimenting the ‘floating’ 8.0-inch audio-visual navigation (AVN) system. It features Bluetooth multi-connection, enabling users to pair up to two mobile devices at the same time – one for hands-free phone and media use; the other for media use only. The system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Furthermore, the driver benefits from a 4.2-inch digital display situated in the instrument cluster. The Picanto will offer either black cloth or synthetic leather seats depending on the market and specification level chosen. The cabin will feature upholstery textures and sees the addition of black, silver or gloss black finishes incorporated into the door, the dashboard and around the gear selector.

Further allowing for customization, a variety of interior colour packs will be available during the specification stages depending on the market. Customers will be able to opt for a Lime Pack which sees to it that the interior is finished in a black single-tone with lime contrast stitching and white seat bolsters, silver metal painted transmission and air vent surrounds, and silver-and-lime accents in the doors. Similar is the Orange Pack except it features orange stitching and cabin highlights, and black-and-orange door accents. A Red and Green Pack are also available with the Green Pack exclusively featuring stylish denim-effect seat upholstery. Technical advancements come in the form of Kia’s UVO system.

The system will form part of the AVN system and will provide drivers with information such as live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, fuel prices, and details of potential on- and off-street parking – including price, location and availability. Furthermore, the system will allow owners to access a range of functions and features remotely via the UVO App on either their Android or Apple smartphones. Depending on the country, users can remotely send route directions to their car before a journey, check the location of their vehicle, and access vehicle reports and diagnostic notifications.

Under the bonnet, further enhancements have been made as the upgraded Picanto now features three new ‘Smartstream’ petrol engine derivatives. The line-up includes a 1.0-litre T-GDi motor producing 74 kW alongside a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre engines, producing 49 kW and 62 kW, respectively. A new Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS), which provides more effective combustion chamber cooling, features on all three engine options. Another new feature from the Korean manufacturer is Kia’s new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). Based on a five-speed manual transmission, it comes with clutch and gear shift actuators to automate clutch operation and gear shifts.

Further bolstering the Picanto’s value proposition is the inclusion of Kia’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Depending on specification, occupants benefit from a Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with vehicle and pedestrian detection. Customers can also opt for the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Straight-line Stability (SLS) system.

Another safety feature is the Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) which alerts the driver and stops the vehicle if it detects another vehicle approaching when reversing out of a parking space. Furthermore, the Picanto comes with an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) which automatically activates the vehicle’s hazards under hard or sudden braking. Occupants are kept safe during a collision by up to seven airbags depending on the vehicle specification and customers can expect ISOFIX child-seat tether and anchor points.

The local launch date has not yet been confirmed and pricing should become available closer to that time.