Facelifted Kia Picanto city car comes with sharp new look and updated standard equipment
A facelifted version of the Kia Picanto has been launched, with the updated city car set to rival the recently revealed third-generation Hyundai i10. Kia has now confirmed the Picanto’s UK prices and specifications with the range kicking off from £10,745, and order books open now.
On the outside, the new Picanto gains updated headlamp units with restyled LED daytime running lights, fresh LED tail lights and an updated version of the brand’s trademark “Tiger Nose” radiator grille. Buyers will also have their choice of 10 paint finishes and two alloy wheel designs, in either 14-inch or 16-inch sizes.
Best city cars to buy 2020
Best city cars to buy 2020Kia has also updated the Picanto’s sporty GT-Line model and SUV-inspired X-Line trim, fitting new front and rear bumpers to both models. The former model features a broader front air intake, gloss black trim and new LED fog lamps, while the latter comes with new protective skid plates and fresh metal-effect trim.
Inside, the Picanto gets a new 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster and an eight-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The latter is an inch larger than the old Picanto’s touchscreen and can pair with two devices at the same time – one via Bluetooth and one through a USB connection.
Buyers also have a choice of either cloth or faux-leather seat upholstery and a range of interior colour packs, which add contrasting seat stitching, seat bolsters and dashboard trim. Four options are available – lime, orange, red and green – with the latter adding an unusual denim-effect finish to the seat upholstery.
New Kia Picanto: engine range
The engine line-up has been updated to meet the latest emissions standards. The entry point to the updated Picanto range is a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit, which develops 66bhp and 96Nm of torque. At the top of the Picanto line-up sits a revised version of the outgoing car’s turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit, which produces 99bhp and 172Nm of torque and is only available in GT-Line models.
A five-speed manual gearbox as standard, although Kia’s new five-speed automatic gearbox is available as an optional extra on 66bhp cars.
Kia has fitted a host of extra driver assistance technology to the Picanto. Upgrades include forward collision avoidance assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, a driver attention warning system and lane following assist, which can assume control of the vehicle’s steering, braking and throttle on the motorway.
Buyers also get seven airbags, a range of ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, hill-start assist, a revised traction control system and an emergency stop signal, which automatically flashes the car’s hazard lights if the driver brakes suddenly.
New Kia Picanto: prices and trim levels
The £10,745 starting price is for the very basic Picanto ‘1’ with a 66bhp 1.0-litre engine and five-speed manual gearbox. Standard equipment includes 14-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, a DAB radio system with bluetooth and a small 2.6-inch driver information display.
The Picanto ‘2’ is priced from £12,245, rising to £12,915 if customers opt for an automatic gearbox. It builds on the base spec model with 14-inch alloy wheels, body coloured mirrors, door handles, premium black cloth upholstery, a height adjustable driver’s seat, leather trimmed steering wheel, high gloss interior trim pieces, front and rear electric windows, an upgraded four-speaker DAB radio system with bluetooth, the new 4.2-inch driver information cluster and forward collision assist. This model also features air conditioning – something the Picanto 1 doesn’t offer.
Picanto ‘3’ trim begins from £14,415 and is offered exclusively with an automatic gearbox. 15-inch alloy wheels are applied alongside front fog lights, automatic air conditioning and cruise control. The eight-inch touchscreen system is introduced with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and navigation.
X-Line and X-Line S models are unique in that they feature a three-seat rear bench and are priced from £13,395 and £14,795 respectively. The X-Line models feature faux leather interior and the new eight-inch display but without navigation. Opting for X-Line S ups the level of creature comforts, adding navigation, heated seats and steering wheel and more.
It’s the same story for the GT-Line and GT-Line S models, which start from £13,395 for the 66bhp car, £14,395 for the 99bhp version and £15,795 for the GT-Line S, offered exclusively with the more powerful version of the Picanto’s 1.0-litre engine.
What does the updated Kia Picanto have to beat? Read our list of the best city cars on sale now…
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