The Kia Picanto, Kia’s modern compact hatchback, has been enhanced with a new eye-catching design and with advanced technologies as seen on other models in the brand’s wider model line-up.
The new Picanto comes with the choice between baseline and ‘GT-Line’ trim levels. The sporty ‘GT-Line’ embodies Kia’s brand aspirations and combines a stylish exterior with advanced technology, suiting it for younger, first-car customers and working professionals alike.
Picanto is one of Kia’s best-selling models in several regions worldwide and remains a particular favourite among European A-segment drivers who value short journeys and access to limited parking space. Within this framework, the new Picanto offers a great feature set. It comes with more standard features than ever before, and its driver assistance systems help make driving in busy European cities easier and more comfortable.
The new Picanto enables younger and new customers to connect with Kia and partner with the brand on their journey through life – without compromising on quality or convenience. It is a symbol of independence and a gateway to making memories. An expanding range of mobility options in European cities enable Picanto to be part of a broad mobility ecosystem, thanks to its ease of parking and manoeuvrability as well as its park-and-go mobility. With up to 1,010 litres of storage space (VDA), its boot can store a folding bicycle or e-scooter.
The enhanced Picanto is inspired by Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, which harnesses the creative tension generated by the divergent values of nature and modernity to deliver a harmonious whole. The result creates a bold and futuristic impression with a modern and sporty design.
Incorporated with the enhanced Picanto’s new front bumper, signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, fender and bonnet, its powerful new light signature leads into the front air intake elements and gives the car a dramatic image. The optional LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights emphasise modernity and technology, as well as giving the new Picanto a wide, confident stance. A simple and stable rear design highlights the vertical connectivity between the new Picanto’s redesigned rear lights and rear bumper. Its strong and wide rear light signature utilises the volume and core of the new rear bumper and new tailgate to emphasise strength and width.
Picanto baseline comes with 14-inch wheels as standard, and the choice between new 14-inch alloy wheels, 15-inch alloy wheels and new 16-inch wheels is optional. The ‘GT-Line’s presence is strengthened with a confident front end with pronounced sporty elements. The tiger nose grille has been expanded to maximise the look of high performance. The ‘GT-Line’ also features new dedicated 16-inch diamond cut wheels and a sporty ‘GT-Line’ rear diffuser.
A choice of nine vibrant paint finishes enables Picanto to stand out with a bold exterior image; four are new: Signal Red, Smoke Blue, Sporty Blue and Adventurous Green.
The enhanced Picanto’s cabin is available in various finishes. The baseline comes with black cloth seats. Optional finishes include Glossy Black, as well as a new range of stylish and sensual interior colour packs: Adventurous Green and Rich Brown. These styles are inspired by nature and enhance the customers’ ability to customise the cabin of their car with the premium comfort of artificial leather seats. The ‘GT-Line’ features the Glossy Black Pack as standard, with the Adventurous Green Pack as optional. The colour packs always feature customised artificial leather seats and door armrests, as well as coloured surrounds around the air vents and gear selector.
Artificial leather represents the first step in Kia’s strategy to make its vehicle colours, materials and finishes more sustainable. Action 1 is ‘leather free,’ meaning Kia plans to phase out the use of leather in its vehicles, starting with the EV9. Action 2 stands for ’10 must-have items,’ meaning 10 materials Kia has identified as being particularly sustainable that it intends to incorporate into its vehicles in the future, and Action 3 stands for ‘Bio Fabrication,’ representing the innovation of new bio-based materials.
The new Picanto comes with the choice of two engines: customers can choose between a 1.0-litre or a 1.2-litre petrol engine. The 1.0-litre engine is a good choice for customers who value efficiency above all, while the 1.2-litre engine is better for customers who want more power, especially for driving at high speeds or uphill. Both options maximise efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The naturally aspirated engines feature improved exhaust gas recirculation lines and optimised intake valve timing. In addition, each engine provides improved combustion chamber cooling thanks to new improvements made in this field.
Both engines drive the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission (5MT) or via Kia’s Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), which is based around a five-speed manual transmission with clutch and gear shift actuators to automate their respective functions. The AMT offers the best of both worlds: it combines the fuel efficiency of a conventional manual transmission with the convenience of a hassle-free automatic transmission that makes urban traffic much more comfortable.
The combination of engine and transmission options on the new Picanto fulfils the needs of European customers, no matter what their driving habits are.
Kia is transforming into a sustainable mobility solutions provider, with plans to launch 15 BEV models by 2027. Low-cost and fuel-efficient vehicles like the enhanced Picanto help support this transition and pave the way to a future of sustainable mobility.
