Refreshed Kia Picanto breaks cover

Kia Motors has revealed the refreshed Picanto with substantial upgrades, expected to go on sale in most markets during the third quarter of 2020. Apart from design changes, Kia says the city car now features safety and telematics technologies often seen in larger, more expensive vehicles.

The front end of the Picanto has been substantially redrawn both in ‘GT-Line’ and ‘X-Line’ variants. The ‘tiger-nose’ grille features a new textured chrome-effect surround that extends into the lower part of the redesigned headlamps, and gives the car a wider appearance. Both versions of the car now feature redesigned headlights and four-bulb LED daytime running lights.

At the rear, the car also features a new LED rear combination lamp design that takes inspiration from the Telluride SUV’s tail lamps, and a slimmer fog light design.

Inside, the Picanto features several design and technological upgrades, including a larger 8.0-inch ‘floating’ widescreen audio visual navigation system, and a high-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the driver’s instrument cluster.

Depending on trim level and market, the Picanto’s cabin is offered with black cloth or synthetic leather seats available with a range of trendy interior colour packs. Shown here is Red Pack, finished in black upholstery with red seat bolsters, gloss black highlights and red-and-black door accents.

The updated Picanto is the first model equipped with Kia’s new Automated Manual Transmission that’s based around a five-speed manual transmission with actuators to automate clutch operation and gear shifts.

It is equipped with several of Kia’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and a range of new active safety systems to improve occupant safety, making it one of the safest cars in its class, says the Korean carmaker. Depending on specification, the Picanto’s new ADAS range includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with vehicle and pedestrian detection, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Lane Following Assist.