Kia Picanto Gets a Bold New Look with EV9-Inspired Design Cues

Kia’s popular supermini, the Picanto, is set to receive a major facelift in the coming weeks. Leaked images of the updated model reveal a bold new look that draws inspiration from Kia’s latest design language, ‘Opposites United’, which is also seen on newer models like the Sportage, Sorento, EV6, and EV9. The new Picanto boasts a prominent ‘Tiger Nose’ front grille, vertical LED headlights with EV9-inspired daytime-running lights, and an LED rear light bar. The boot release has been moved to just under the light bar, and GT-Line models feature a rear splitter and restyled alloy designs. The car was also spotted in a pale green color not previously seen on the Picanto.

Subtle Updates to the Interior

The interior of the new Picanto features more subtle updates. The instrument cluster is now fully digital, and the lane positioning is illustrated by a new CGI rendering of the car. The central infotainment touchscreen has been carried over from the old car but features updated graphics.

Possible Tech and Drivetrain Improvements

It is not yet known if the outgoing Picanto’s powertrains will feature on the new car. However, with Kia aiming to become an electric-only brand by 2035, its combustion-only cars could feature mild-hybrid technology. The current Picanto is only available with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 66bhp in base form and 99bhp in turbocharged guise. Tech and drivetrain improvements are expected to be part of the update.

Pricing and Availability

The new Picanto is likely to be priced in line with rivals while reflecting a premium on the £13,415 starting price of the existing car, which is currently available to order from stock only. Its sibling car, the Hyundai i10, recently surpassed the £15,000 mark for the first time, leaving just four cars on sale below that price point in the UK: the Picanto, Dacia Sandero, Fiat Panda, and Citroën C3. In April 2023, Kia sold 5339 Picantos in Europe, representing a 34% increase on April 2022 and highlighting the ongoing popularity of this supermini, which was launched 20 years ago. These updates are expected to sustain its appeal for a few years until the model is replaced – either directly or indirectly – by an electrified equivalent.

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