The Kia Picanto is one of the most popular small cars in the world, especially in Europe and Asia, where it offers a practical and affordable solution for urban mobility. The Kia Picanto has been around since 2004 and has undergone several updates and facelifts over the years. Now, Kia has revealed the latest version of the Picanto, which will go on sale in 2024 with a new look, new features, and new engines.
The 2024 Kia Picanto has a more aggressive and futuristic design than its predecessor, inspired by Kia's "Opposites United" design philosophy. The front end features a new version of the signature "tiger nose" grille, which is wider and more prominent than before. The headlights are also redesigned, with vertical and horizontal LED bars that create a distinctive light signature. The front bumper has dynamic air intakes with interesting grille patterns, and the GT-Line trim adds sporty elements and a rear diffuser.
The rear end of the 2024 Kia Picanto also gets some changes, such as a full-width light bar that connects the vertical tail lights, which have a more 3D sculpture. The rear bumper has vertical reflectors and reversing lamps, and the Picanto model logo has been updated. The new Picanto comes with a choice of nine paint colors, including a new shade called "Lunar Silver." The wheel sizes range from 14 to 16 inches, depending on the trim level.
The interior of the new Kia Picanto has been upgraded with more technology and convenience features. The dashboard features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and a 4.2-inch digital driver's display. The infotainment system also includes satellite navigation and is compatible with the Kia Connect app, which allows the owner to lock and unlock the car's doors and monitor its location using their phone. The infotainment system can also receive over-the-air updates without having to visit a dealership.
The 2024 Kia Picanto offers artificial-leather seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel on the GT-Line trim, and goodies such as a heated steering wheel and heated seats. The cabin also has separate controls for heating and ventilation, and a sunroof is available as an option. The practicality of the Picanto is unchanged from the previous model, which means it has a good amount of head and leg room for front-seat occupants but limited leg room in the back. The boot capacity is 255 liters, which can be expanded to 1,010 liters by folding the rear seats.
The new Kia Picanto comes with two engine options: a three-cylinder 1.0-liter and a four-cylinder 1.2-liter, both of which are naturally aspirated gasoline units. Both engines are available with a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Kia claims that the engines have been tweaked to make them greener and more efficient than before but has not released any performance or economy figures yet.
The 2024 Kia Picanto also comes with improved safety equipment, such as a collision avoidance system that can prevent accidents at junctions, a blind spot monitoring system, an automatic emergency braking system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, an active lane assistant system, a driver attention warning system, and a system to warn passengers if they are about to step out into the path of another vehicle.
The new Kia Picanto will go on sale in late 2023 or early 2024 in various markets around the world. The prices and specifications for different regions have not been announced yet, but we expect the new Picanto to start from around $16,500 in the US (around £14,000 in the UK), which is slightly more than the current model. The new Kia Picanto will compete with other small cars such as the Toyota Aygo X, Volkswagen Up, Seat Mii Electric, Fiat Panda, Hyundai i10, Fiat 500 and premium-priced MINI Cooper.
The 2024 Kia Picanto is a small car with a big appeal for those who value short journeys and access to limited parking space. It offers a modern and sporty design, advanced technology, improved safety, and low-cost mobility. It is also backed by Kia's famous seven-year warranty, which gives peace of mind to buyers. The new Kia Picanto symbolizes independence and freedom for young adults buying their first car or working professionals looking for a convenient city car.
