Kia Picanto facelift introduces Smartstream petrol engines

By Matt de Prez

3 June 2020

Kia will release a facelifted Picanto later this year with a range of updates including new, more efficient, petrol engines.

The new Picanto also features new safety and telematics technologies and design updates.

All versions benefit from visual tweaks, while sporty GT Line and X Line models gain new bumpers.

The upgraded Picanto offers greater potential for customisation, with a choice of 10 paint finishes designed to make the car stand out. Two new alloy wheel designs are also available: a 16-spoke, 14-inch design, or a two-tone diamond-cut 16-inch wheel.

Inside, the Picanto features a series of visual and technological upgrades, centred around a larger eight-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen, and a high-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the driver’s instrument cluster.

Kia’s UVO telematics system gives drivers access to live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, fuel prices, and details of potential on- and off-street parking – including price, location and availability. It also provides connectivity via the Kia smartphone app.

Depending on trim level, the Picanto’s cabin is offered with black cloth or synthetic leather seats. The interior can also be customised with a range of colour packs, which offer different coloured trim and stitching.

Driver assistance includes Forward Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Keep Assist and departure warning.

Two new ‘Smartstream’ petrol engines deliver lower CO2 emissions compared to their predecessors. The engine line-up features a 1.0-litre T-GDi engine producing 100PS, and a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre engine, producing 67PS.

The updated Picanto is the first model equipped with Kia’s new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

Kia will announce pricing, emissions and efficiency data for the upgraded Picanto’s powertrains closer to the car’s European on-sale date.

The upgraded Picanto will offer Kia’s industry-leading 7-Year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard when sales commence in Q3 2020. UK specification, on-sale date and pricing will be announced in due course.