2021 Kia Picanto Debuts In Europe With Updated Styling, Tech From Upper Segments

Following its reveal in Korean specification as the Morning Urban last month, the facelifted Kia Picanto has now shown itself in European clothing.

The city car brings a refreshed design for all models, including the GT-Line and X-Line variants, new interior color customization options, two new Smartstream engines, and updated infotainment and safety tech.

On the styling front, the facelifted Kia Picanto features noticeable updates to the exterior, particularly for sporty GT-Line and SUV-inspired X-Line models. They now feature a ‘tiger-nose’ grille with a new textured surround and open-link appearance, a lower chrome trim that extends into the redesigned headlights, red highlights on GT-Line and black trim on X-Line, as well as four-bulb LED DRLs integrated into the headlamps.

2021 Kia Picanto GT-Line

At the back, the 2021 Picanto features a new LED signature for the taillights and a slimmer fog light design. Additionally, both the Picanto GT-Line and X-Line feature refreshed, model-specific front and rear bumper designs with sharper creases. Customers will be able to choose between 10 paint finishes and two new aluminum alloy wheel designs: 14-inch in a 16-spoke look or a two-tone diamond-cut 16-inch wheel.

When it comes to the interior, the 2021 Kia Picanto adds improved infotainment screens and new customization options. A larger 8.0-inch touchscreen display with satellite navigation is now paired with a high-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the instrument cluster. The infotainment system offers standard Bluetooth multi-connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as UVO Connect ‘Phase II’ telematics.

2021 Kia Picanto X-Line

Depending on the trim level and market, the cabin is offered with black cloth or synthetic leather seats, with upgrades including new upholstery textures as well as black, silver or gloss black trim. Buyers can choose between new optional interior color packs such as the Lime Pack, Orange Pack, Red Pack and Green Pack.

As far as the powertrains go, the Korean city car gets two new Smartstream three-cylinder petrol engines: a naturally aspirated 1.0-liter rated at 67 PS (66 HP) and a 1.0-liter T-GDi turbo making 100 PS (99 HP). The units are said to be more economical and cleaner than their predecessors thanks to a new Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS) and an optional Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) based on a five-speed manual transmission.

2021 Kia Picanto GT-Line

The 2021 Picanto benefits from an upgraded safety package as well, including new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and a range of new active safety systems. Depending on specification, the 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.

The latter uses the front-facing camera and sensors to monitor road markings and steer the Picanto to keep it in the center of its lane. The Picanto also offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Emergency Stop Signal and Hill-start Assist Control.

Kia will start sales of the 2021 Picanto in Europe during the third quarter of 2020 and in the UK in the fourth quarter.