This just in. Naza Kia will be introducing two additional variants of the Kia Picanto, the pair being the entry-level Picanto KX and the long-awaited X-Line. It’s priced at RM44,888 and RM57,888 respectively – the latter, interestingly, is priced identically as the Picanto GT-Line. We’re told that both the KX and X-Line are available in limited numbers, and included in the price is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty package.
Let’s start with the KX. On the outside, the entry-level model gets reflector headlights and fog lamps, a set of 14-inch steel wheels with five-spoke covers (shod with 175/65 rubbers), fender mounted turn indicators, bee-sting style antenna, halogen tail lights, as well as a KX badge on the tailgate. The reverse camera has also been omitted.
Inside, drivers get the traditional turn-key ignition and a three-spoke urethane steering wheel with multifunction controls. The gear knob tip, dashboard and door card trims are unpainted (EX and above get gloss black trims), whereas the centre-mounted double-DIN head unit takes over multimedia duties. There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, of course, but at least there’s still Bluetooth pairing.
Elsewhere, the side mirrors are manually adjustable, the rear windows are labour-powered, the fabric seats feature a plainer-looking design, and the rear doors lose out on the gloss black trim. That about wraps up the kit list for the Picanto KX. Crucially, it still comes with ESP and six airbags, which makes it the cheapest car in Malaysia to be so equipped.
Next, the X-Line. At RM57,888, this one gets all the bling. Exterior kit include a new front bumper with lime green highlights on the grille and the repositioned fog lamps. There are also larger corner “inlets” with a small intake just below the grille.
If you’re wondering why there are “skid plates” at the front and rear, as well as black plastic cladding on the sides, that’s because the X-Line’s design is inspired by Kia’s range of SUVs. A nice set of 16-inch alloy wheels (same size as GT-Line, but different design) with 195/45 profile tyres and a powered sunroof complete the X-Line’s exterior kit.
Inside, it gets a new flat-bottom steering wheel (also found on the GT-Line), a single-zone automatic air-conditioning system, and leather seats. Naza Kia has yet to release detailed specifications of the X-Line, but in terms of safety, expect it to be identically specced as the GT-Line. That means six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control, hill start assist, ISOFIX rear child seat anchors, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
Mechanically, both the KX and X-Line share the same 1.2 litre Kappa II naturally-aspirated four-cylinder unit. The petrol engine makes 84 PS at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. No five-speed manual this time, folks.
With this, the Picanto line-up in Malaysia expands to four variants. The other two are the EX (RM49,888) and GT-Line (RM57,888). What do you think of this? Comment, below.
GALLERY: Kia Picanto KX
GALLERY: Kia Picanto X-Line
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
The cheaper one may be for driving schools and fleet customers and I like the term ‘labour powered’.
We must thank Picanto for forcing Proton to give us higher safety spec cars.
8 years ago, the Picanto was the only car that came with 7 airbags and VSC for such a cheap price.
Proton felt so malu, after that, they started to offer more airbags than their usual 2 airbags and non vsc cars.
Rm45k is so cheap fr a god quality car. There goes Iriz and Saga sales.
Everybody knows Kia quality is 100X better than Protn
Fuyooh the KX line is so 2003… Manual adjusted front mirror and labour powered for the rear. Good thing they did not omit the VSC and give bluetooth.
Remind me of 2008 SAGA BLM. That was a 10 years ago story. Mayb NAZ think someone need a less electrical part Picanto to enter flooded area to reduce repair cost. What a joke
Reminds me of my first car, 1999 Kancil 850. Front power windows and ‘labour-powered’ everything else. Nothing much to fail basically but also no ABS or airbags. So, good thing Kia didn’t remove the safety features.
My grandmother’s Saga BLM even has powered side mirror adjustments….
The KX is not worth the 5k savings over the EX, considering the sheer amount of kit taken out. Aesthetic items like alloys and LED lights notwithstanding, basic comfort items like rear power windows and electric side mirrors are the bare minimum a 40+k car should have nowadays. Anything else omitted from the safety equipments?
Well, at least they left the airbags and ESP untouched in the KX – unlike previous KX models. It is still the cheapest car with 6 airbags and ESP. For that it deserved kudos.
I won’t miss the other convenience items left out for 5k in savings. Those you can add on after sales accesories, if need be, but you can’t add airbags and ESP, which is usually the most costly item that get omitted on a decontenting excercise.
So, Kia didn’t remove any safety equipment? That’s a positive point indeed. But if Kia intends the KX to be the volume seller of the Picanto range, I am afraid many buyers would be put off by the bare specs. Sadly, most car buyers at this price range still put more importance on glitzy items like alloys, bodykits and LEDs than safety.
(Like) Kia
(Dislike) Hyundai
At least all Hyundai got rear power windows unlike Kia.
I wonder why so many likes for under specs Kia compare to Hyundai. must have a good reasons for voting
Perhaps Hyundai is missing with i20 model or perhaps Hyundai i10 model does not looks as good as Kia Picanto.
yes, Yes, YES!!!
Hyundai got lots of recalls. It is more safer to buy Kia than dangerous Hyundai due to Engine risk and airbags and other parts that have more problems
Poodua got lots of quality issues, some even life threatening one but never recalls, only in Malaysia (in US or EU, this shitbox manufacturer will be sued until BankRupt). It is more safer to buy Kimchis or even Baoteng than dangerous Poodua due to Engine risk – no bloody temperature gauge, and other parts, even their dino 4-speed autobox have more problems.
rear window – labour powered?? seriously??
the cheapest axia still provides powered window….hahahaha
Yes, that is a joke. Toyota Hilux standard is worse, a RM100k car with all manual labour windows and manual adjusted side windows. Not to mention no central lock and immobilizer. So stupid. These shortcomings should have gone extinct in the early 2000.
Might as well get a Myvi
Might as well jump!
Picanto handling and comfort is more towards the C segment car even though B- segment compare to MYvi which is really a B segment handling and comfort car in the B segment category.
See the difference !!!
No turbo model?
(Like) Proton Iriz FL
(Dislike) KIA Picanto
Abesla Myvi! Who will want this crap when Picanto is so much better and safer. Abesla Perodua!
That window crank hahahahahaha
Even Axia E also have power windows all round.
Naza oh Naza….
Since the GT line and X line are same price, one would expect the artlicle to highlight the difference between the two. Most websites I googled start off by saying the X line is 15mm higher that GT line and is Picanto’s crossover version.
I concur
All these Kia CKD cars hav good quality parts. P2 & P1 rather buy from local Naza Kia vendors.
Hand cranked windows da baek! Won’t have power window problems.
wow..u mean… parts locally made?? WOWWW!! which one?? the carpet ah?? hahahha..what a joke!
16″ wheels is a bit overkill. I more like 15″ for the car with this size & power.
The labour adjust windows and manual adjust side mirror reminds me about the Proton Iswara many.. many… many… years ago….
Get Iriz instead of picanto
this price how to fight myvi
ENOUGH OF NAZA!!!
tempting proposition. Buy the car and i wish good luck with spare-part sourcing, costly parts, servicing issues at dealers. Google it…