The second facelift of the third-generation Kia Picanto has launched in Australia where it will be offered in two guises and remains a very compelling option for those in the market for something small yet still well-equipped. Kia went to great lengths to refresh the Picanto, so much so that you could be excused for thinking it was an all-new model. The firm’s Opposites United design philosophy is immediately apparent with the overhauled front fascia that includes a new grille, bespoke headlights available with LEDs, and a thoroughly revised rear fascia with new lights and a different bumper.
The entry-level model takes the form of
the Picanto Sport while the flagship is known as the GT-Line. The latter of
these two is differentiated thanks to 16-inch wheels, more advanced headlights
and taillights, and the addition of a new gloss black diffuser. Both versions
are equipped with the same 1.2-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol
engine, which can be mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed
automatic transmission. This engine delivers 83 hp and 122 Nm of torque. While these figures may seem modest, they are quite suitable
for a city runabout of this size.
The upgrades implemented in the 2024
Picanto also extend to the cabin. Both the Sport and GT-Line models feature a
4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, new premium synthetic leather for the
steering wheel and shift knob, USB Type-C charging ports at the rear, and an
8-inch infotainment display.
The 2024 Picanto comes equipped with key
safety features such as Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear
Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Follow Assist, and Lane Keeping
Assist. Additionally, it offers a variety of seven exterior paint finishes,
including the new Adventurous Green option. Local prices start at AU$ 17,890 for
the Picanto Sport with the manual gearbox and AU$ 19,490 with
the automatic transmission. The GT-Line is a bit pricier, starting from AU$ 19,690
for the manual model and AU$ 21,290 for the automatic.
