Last week we attended the launch of the updated Kia Picanto in South Africa. It’s one of Kia’s most successful sellers worldwide, so what’s changed for 2015?
The engine and gearbox setup is the same; the cars are still powered by Kia’s Kappa motors, either a 1.0 motor (LX model) or a 1.2 motor (EX model). The 1.0 is a 3-cylinder affair producing 51kW and 94Nm while the 1.2 is a 4-banger making 65kW and 120Nm – both are DOHC and feature continuously variable valve timing. Both setups are coupled to a 5-speed manual ‘box, but there is a 4-speed auto available too. While powerplants are small, the car pulls great on the roads.
While the last generation of the Kia Picanto was released around four years ago, it doesn’t look dated, it was ahead of it’s time in the styling department, the numerous awards it collected confirm this. There’s no resting on laurels here though, the new look Kia Picanto will no doubt continue to be a winning formula for Kia.
Changes are subtle but at the same time are quite noticeable, especially bringing its identity in line with the rest of the new Kia models thanks to the revised ‘tiger nose’ grille. To go with this, the front bumper is bolder and squarer; it now also features daytime running lights (which you’d be forgiven for thinking are spot lights due to their location). They’re only lit when the car is on, but will switch off when the headlights are used.
Towards the bottom of the bumper there’s a spoiler that’s been added. Ok, there hasn’t but the design makes it look like one when in fact it’s all one piece. Good visual trickery. At the rear things remain largely unchanged except for the addition of a matte black lower section that goes up on the sides to surround the rear fogs, which have also seen a revision in shape. The entry level LX runs on 14-inch, hubcap-covered steelies while the LX has some good-looking 15-inch mags.
The Kia Picanto range features a host of bright and cheery colours that make it look like the fun little car it is. Customers have the choice of ten paint options; Clear White, Bright Silver, Milky Beige, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Honey Bee, Signal Red, Alice Blue, Cherry Pink and Dazzling Blue. The latter is a new addition that looks great, but if I was taking one for myself it would be a toss up between the Clear White and the Signal Red. That said there wasn’t a Cherry Pink one on the launch, but it sounds cool, albeit it a girly option.
Inside the refreshed Kia Picanto there have been a few tweaks here and there, nothing too major though. Minor tweaks have taken place to the fascia surrounding the Picanto’s audio system to give it a more modern look and feel. In the EX model there’s now some steering-mounted controls for the audio system and on-board display that are easy to use and only take a few minutes to get used to. It also comes with a useful hands-free Bluetooth® function. Both models of the Picanto come with manual air-conditioning, retractable dual cup holders, sun visors (with vanity mirrors), as well as AUX/iPod/USB connections for the radio / CD player and has MP3 compatibility. Let’s not forget the addition of an RDS function for the radio. Both models have driver and passenger airbags and also ISOFIX child seat anchors while only the LX model gets ABS and an ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system.
Safety has been increased with a greater percentage of high-strength steel used in the construction of the body and greater rigidity is achieved through ring-shaped reinforcing loops inside the B- and C-pillars and across the floor pan and roof. There’s also additional bracing up front between the cowl and suspension towers.
The pricing for the new Kia Picanto range is great – they have successfully managed to keep it the same as the previous incarnation so new buyers score (buyers who bought a month back might be a little peeved though). The Picanto 1.0 LX can be had for R136 995 while the 1.2 EX is yours for R149 995. To get the automatic version of either model, lump R12k on top of that figure. All derivatives also come with Kia’s great 5-year/ 150 000km warranty and they have an optional 2-year/ 45 000km service plan if you like. The Picanto has been one of Kia’s most successful models on the world market and with these new changes to it, that doesn’t look set to change any time soon.
