Kia has pulled the wraps off the all-new Picanto – the third-generation JA, which replaces the outgoing TA, receives a new engine, a more spacious cabin and a range of new technologies and safety features.
The new car certainly looks more mature, ditching the cheeky styling of its predecessor with a stronger, more assertive aesthetic clearly inspired by the new Rio. At the front, there are U-shaped LED daytime running lights that are now a solid strip rather than the current individual diodes, while the upper grille has grown wider to meet the headlights. The downturned lower grille also gives a more aggressive look.
Down the sides, the previously straight window line is now upswept at the front and rear, while the reduced character lines provide a more minimalist look; the wheel arches have also been emphasised to give the illusion of a stronger stance. The rear design is more angular as well, with larger tail lamps.
Buyers can opt for the Art Collection in Korea (GT Line in other markets), which provides a more aggressive appearance similar to the current car’s Sport Pack – including twin exhaust exits – as well as a choice between black, silver, red and lime green exterior accents. There are also a range of 14-, 15- and 16-inch wheels available.
The interior, meanwhile, has been made noticeably more upscale than the one in the TA, which was already several steps above the A-segment norm. There’s now a dual-tier dashboard with a Rio-style floating head unit sitting above the twin centre air vents, while the corner air vents are now vertical and in an unusual lozenge shape, giving the cabin a quirky spin on things.
The current two-spoke steering wheel with a grin-like decorative trim piece has also been switched out for a three spoke item from the Optima. Below, the climate control switchgear has gained a concave shape, while an armrest with a storage console makes a welcome appearance between the seats. The Art Collection colour highlights can be seen here too, such as on the door cards.
Infotainment-wise, the new Picanto is offered in Korea with the Kia T map service, which links a smartphone’s navigation app with the infotainment system via MirrorLink – the system optimises menu configuration, position, font size and more to make the use of navigation safer and easier. Apple CarPlay connectivity is also available, along with a reverse camera with guide lines linked to the steering.
Measuring 3,595 mm long, 1,595 mm wide and 1,485 mm tall, the new Picanto retains mostly the same dimensions as its predecessor, although it is 5 mm lower and its 2,400 mm wheelbase is 15 mm longer. Despite this, the car is claimed to offer more headroom, shoulder room and legroom both front and rear, and luggage space has increased from a minuscule 200 litres to 255 litres, thanks to a more efficient design.
In Korea, the sole engine choice is a new 76 PS/95 Nm 1.0 litre Kappa Eco-prime petrol three-cylinder, which has been significantly revised to improve fuel economy to 15.4 km per litre combined. Although transmission options have yet to be revealed, it will likely be offered with the same four-speed automatic and five-speed manual. Expect other engines like the current 1.2 litre four-pot to soldier on in markets.
Under the skin, the new Picanto is built on an all-new platform for small cars, utilising 44% of advanced high strength steel – up from 22% on the current model. Impact-resisting structural adhesives have also been applied to the main impact area to improve deformation in a collision, while a hot stamping method has been used to improve roof strength and torsional rigidity.
As before, the new Picanto comes with up to seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knee) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), but adds torque vectoring by braking and Straight Line Stability (SLS) to keep the car straight and true under braking. Also available is autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and a forward collision warning system (FCWS), along with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Prices in Korea start at between 9,500,000 and 9,700,000 won (RM35,400 to RM36,200) for the Basic Plus variant, rising up to 9,900,000 to 10,100,000 won (RM36,900 to RM37,700) for the Deluxe, 11,800,000 to 12,000,000 won (RM44,000 to RM44,700) for the Luxury and 12,650,000 to 12,850,000 won (RM47,200 to RM47,900) for the range-topping Prestige.
There’s also a 12,200,000 to 12,400,000 won (RM45,500 to RM46,200) Lady variant with items like an illuminated vanity mirror, heated steering wheel and AEB, which will surely raise more than a few eyebrows. Sales in Korea kick off on January 17, before the car is offered in the rest of the world starting in the spring.
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So malu our Proton and Perodua. This cheapo car also got VSC and so many airbags.
Proton must learn lah. Last time the old Picanto also got so many airbags. I forgot, was it 6 or 7?
Shy. Really shy. Proton, our local car company cannot give VSC in Eritga and Saga as standard.
Ertiga and Saga are based on VSCless model
saga does have vsc on premium model. so whats ur standpoint?
Still 4 star……
Why safety is count by price? All variants should get vsc .
Here, Poo kedua even more better, ABS oso cannot give (don’t say VSC which is absent for nearly all models). They are busy making dirty money by cutting lots of corners in safety and give customers stupid accessories such as stupid alloy rims and stupid bodykit package (if free Road to Nirvana package still not bad what, afterall most Klang Valley and motorists from southern part like to go to hell faster).
Can’t really blame proton. They dont have economics of scale so they can never match that price
This kunta Kunte guy again… Although u do have some good points, what’s the point of typing things like, so malu la, so shy la, proton must learn la???.. U always has some degree of hostility against certain car brands.. Need to learn to give constructive comments in a more natural way bro
The design looks good and interior shown good quality
Proton is having a hard time paying off their suppliers. Putting so many airbags, VSC and ABS will increase their debts. So better not put or else tax payers have to bail out.
Nice. Hope that Naza will be offering this model to Malaysian soon.
I also hope that they will bring in the Kia Niro as well. A good competitor to the HRV.
Thumbs up for the Kia Niro comment! Bring it in and price it way lower than HRV.. like how Sportage was with the CRV.
Saya sempat memandu uji kereta ini di Korea tempoh hari bersempena lawatan rangka kerja Persatuan Jurutera Berdaftar Melayu Seksyen 24 Shah Alam. Walaupun saiznya kompak, pemanduannya begitu selesa dan meyakinkan. Oleh itu soal kereta ini menggunakan timing belt atau timing chain tidak timbul.
UMW Toyota oso gip Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Ya Toyota cars AEB works
After crashing the car in front
Wow, just wow. KIA has not only up the interior quality but they have also made the tiny car look aggressive too. The current gen was the safest car in its category here in Malaysia and even beating competitors at the B and C segment level in terms of equipment and now it has AEB and even torque vectoring?? That’ll put even the new B9 A4 to shame!
hope U enjoy your fullspec 316i, Don’t shame B9 A4.
the only thing that you compared it right was comparing two junks that are without RV.
Looks like we need a certain Korean by the name of Picanto to show us the way on How 2 Make a Small Car BIG in features/safety & Class. Bravo KIA.
Masuk Malaysia, all get lousy specs. Always like that due to our pricing. damn.
Kimchis alwiz have better spec compared to jepunis and its pricing have alwiz been value for money. Just look at Ioniq
Sorry Kia, i’m waiting for new suzuki swift
Who are going to bring in the suzuki swift? Grey importers?
he can only afford a Proton Swift, CKD in bolehland
Nice one kia, dunno what they did but the brand now is better to compare with hyundai and most of the japanese, at least in Malaysia.
Width 1595mm only?? Then it’s narrower than the Bezza and Axia??
Why mieh look so much like Proton Iriz
More accurately, looks like an hybrid of Proton Iriz face with Perodua Axia butt
Agreed
very good looking car! esp the white + lime color, if got option for black + gold thats the killer combo.
if only launched here around myvi price…wishful thinking
Great looking small car. Bring it here and price it below 40k for the top spec .
The Koreans has to catch up with their engine development, 15+ km/l FC (official figure) is not promising on a 1.0l powertrain.
Looking at this Kia Picanto it is hard to believe that Kia went burst and was bought over by big-brother Hyundai as it’s subsidiary, and that in the US Kia models was once laughed at, guess who is having the last laugh now.
wow…an angry n frowning front face
thanks to this guy:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schreyer