Kia Picanto undergoes specification rethink

Entering its third year of production this year, Kia has introduced a number of specification upgrades to the Picanto range, including the removal of some models.

Starting the upgrades off, the entry-level Start now comes as standard with a passenger’s airbags and ABS, while the next step-up Street receives rear electric windows, heated and electric mirrors, the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and newly designed plastic covers for the 14-inch steel wheels.

The mid-range Style is next and benefits from 14-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and gear knob, as well as folding electric mirrors with integrated indictors.

At the sharp-end, the Smart’s revisions have gone the other way with the removal of the rear parking sensors and reverse camera, both now optional, and inclusion of a sunroof that previously featured on the options list. According to Kia, the removal of said features came as a result of customer feedback where more emphasis on connectivity and infotainment was placed.

Up front, the automaker has kept the existing engine line-up unchanged, but with the Street no longer offering the 1.2-litre petrol engine and the Smart doing without the smaller 1.0-litre motor. In addition, both engines’ outputs are unchanged with the three-pot again producing 49kW/95Nm and the four-cylinder 61kW/122Nm. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard across the line-up with a four-speed automatic optional.

As before, the Picanto is offered with a five year/unlimited km warranty and a two year/30 000 km service plan.

PRICING

Picanto 1.0 Start – R167 995

Picanto 1.0 Start AT – R181 995

Picanto 1.0 Street – R179  995

Picanto 1.0 Street AT – R193 995

Picanto 1.0 Style – R189  995

Picanto 1.0 Style AT – R203 995

Picanto 1.2 Street – R188 995

Picanto 1.2 Street AT – R202 995

Picanto 1.2 Style – R 198 995

Picanto 1.2 Style AT – R212 995

Picanto 1.2 Smart – R219 995

Picanto 1.2 Smart AT – R233 995

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