Kia has revealed UK pricing and specification for the new Kia Picanto, the most recent recipient of a major mid-life refreshment. Starting from just £15,595 on-the-road, the new Kia Picanto remains one of the most affordable new cars on sale in the UK and represents Kia’s commitment to the A-segment. The new Picanto is a bold statement of intent for the Korean brand, meeting the need for small, compact and affordable cars suitable for first-time and experienced drivers alike.
The new model features a major exterior redesign and significant updates to the interior, echoing elements of Kia’s flagship EV9 and other recent Kia models inside and out. New vertical headlights and a powerful new lightbar leading into the front air intakes give the car a fresh and dramatic image, while a new rear lightbar lends the Picanto a confident and planted image.
The car remains as compact as ever, but continues to offer drivers a range of advanced technologies and features. Inside, the Picanto offers Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, an 8-inch touchscreen navigation and multiple USB charging ports, all of which are standard on every variant of the new Picanto.
Aimed at the needs of European customers, the new Kia Picanto comes with a choice of two engines: a three-cylinder 1.0-litre (62bhp) or four-cylinder 1.2-litre (77bhp) petrol engine, both offering efficient and capable motoring with lower CO2 emissions when compared with the outgoing model. Both engines feature improved exhaust gas recirculation lines, optimised intake valve timing, and improved combustion chamber cooling to aid efficiency and economy.
Both engines drive the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission (5MT) as standard. An optional five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) is also available on all versions: a manual transmission with clutch and gear shift actuators to automate their respective functions.
In the UK, the 1.0-litre engine is available on the ‘2’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘3’ grade variants. The 1.2-litre engine is available exclusively on ‘GT-Line S’ models.
The new Picanto also continues its predecessor’s legacy as one of the safest cars in its segment, with a range of passive and active safety and security systems as standard. All Picanto models receive height-adjustable front seatbelts with a reminder warning, all-round three-point seatbelts, all-round height adjustable headrests, front, rear and side airbags, central door locking, ISOFIX child seat top tethers and anchor fixings (outside rear seats), manual child lock, locking wheel nuts, visible vehicle identification number (VIN) and a Thatcham Category 2 security alarm and immobiliser.
In the UK, the Picanto is offered in an array of seven striking paint finishes. All grades feature ‘Blaze Red’ as standard or are offered with premium paints ‘Clear White’ and ‘Midnight Black’. ‘2’ and ‘3’ variants are additionally available finished in a new ‘Smokey Blue’ colour, while ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ variants are available in ‘Azure Blue’, ‘Astro Grey’ and ‘Adventurous Green’. Premium paint finishes are available for an additional £575.
Regardless of trim level, the new Picanto offers an unrivalled level of equipment at each individual price point, and the line-up reflects the familiar, easy-to-understand four-tier structure, with ‘2’, ‘GT-Line’, ‘3’ and ‘GT-Line S’ variants.
