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.
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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 62 kW (83 hp) and 122 Nm (90 lb-ft) 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 (yes, they exist!) 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.
