Previewed in August, the new Kia Picanto has been shown again today – this time, distributor Naza Kia revealed that the third-generation A-segment hatchback is now open for booking, with a launch date set for the first quarter of 2018. Although pricing information is scarce, a sales advisor present at the event has given a ballpark of under RM60,000 for the new JA model, which would undercut the outgoing TA slightly.
The car seen here is practically identical to the one that was shown earlier, a GT Line model with more aggressive front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts and a rear diffuser with twin exhaust exits. There are also 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, an inch larger than what the previous TA model was offered with.
Although the doors were locked here and the windows covered, we’ve seen the interior before – there’s a new horizontal dashboard layout, a three-spoke steering wheel, a Rio-style “floating” head unit and concave air-con controls that are said to be more ergonomic.
Features confirmed for our market include halogen headlights with U-shaped LED daytime running lights (in a single light guide, rather than the current car’s individual diodes), LED tail lights, keyless entry, push-button start, six airbags, stability control and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The display unit also comes with part-leather upholstery, cruise control, a reverse camera, automatic climate control, a sunroof, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and even autonomous emergency braking (AEB). However, don’t expect all of these to be featured on local units – this is, after all, a car that will be playing in a price-sensitive market.
Power should come from the same 1.25 litre naturally-aspirated DOHC four-cylinder engine as before, making 83 hp at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, matched to a four-speed automatic transmission. Naza Kia previously sold the TA with a five-speed manual option, but a low take-up rate means that it’s unlikely to be offered again.
So what do you think of the new Kia Picanto? Would you buy one instead of the Proton Iriz and especially the new Perodua Myvi at around the same price? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.
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Iriz 1.0L TGDI three cyclinder + hybrid motor with Volvo same alike sensing. Nantikan…
2009 Proton will sell electric cars in 5 years.
Show the japs geely-proton can do better, plus superb handling
Closed shop lah..how to compete with new myvi…malaysian all time favorite
Myvi need to upgrade their chasis, not only put VSC,ASA…etc
Its hard to compete with new Myvi model unless Naza price it below RM50,000 which is seems less likely to happen
Very hard indeed.
Too late, the new myvi is more value for money buy
Old Picanto brought a lot of shame to Toyota and Honda. For such a small kuci car, it had VSC and 6 or 7 airbags.
This is why UMW and DRB was forced to give VSC in all their cars and up their airbags.
Thank you Picanto for setting the standard in Malaysia and making the big boys such as Honda and Toyota ashamed.
Err. Iriz with 6 airbags & VSC was here way b4 Picanto
Picanto was here in 2013. Proton Iriz was launched in 2014.
But the Picanto then din have all the safety features until AFTER debut of Iriz.
Meanwhile Hyundai is still selling old and outdated i10
If they removed the sunroof, infotainment system, leathers, cruise control & reverse camera, they probably can fit in the AEB with the remainder features and price it Rm65k. That can sell well.
funny how the new myvi had basically disrupted the whole sub 90k market and considered a benchmark right now
Nah. Its just overhype from P2 SA here. Deswai regular readers dun care too much about it.
I would take the Picanto over the MyVi simply because Kia is a world renowned car manufacturer whereas Perodua is only famous in Malaysia.
Kia better than Perodua
Wowww gud eh hav sunroof. Hop they dun remov it for our market larrrr. Safety wise lorrr.
Everyone compare this with Axia.. say they look alike..
PLEASE FFS, look at the interior… Axia can go back menuai padi
same car segment lah.. theres no point of having all bells when got only ciput engine.. power to weight ratio more or less same like axia, looks like axia, speed ‘like’ axia, carry luggage like axia too.
wooot…7 inch infotainment?
that’s better than the recent launched kia rio….wow
The Kia is a cute small car that fits the bill with a family who already own a family sedan/MPV/SUV.
Lets not kid our-self that this Picanto is a family car bcos its too small for a starter. Its gud for single/newbie.
At close to RM60k, U can buy a much bigger vehicle for a growing family with safety in mind too.
KIA usually gives good spec + quality. The only issue is the price of servicing is on a high side for a small car segment.
I believe u did not own a Kia car before (I’m talking about Kia cars under NazaKia). I’ve been servicing my Kia Forte 2.0 at NazaKia SC for 7.5 years. All i can say is, the servicing price is on par if not lower than the other brands car at SC (for the same segment). Even my wife’s Preve CFE & my sis Honda HRV are costlier to service at their respective SC than my Forte
VW has silently updated and improved all their cars in the past few months to more suit the Asean climate. Don’t forget the Polo. It’s the best value for money in the price range. Pure European breed car. Koreans are ‘trying’ to be Conti. VW is the real deal.
Dont talk about Myvi la.. 4 speed Auto? Nuff Said.
impressive perodua myvi ! vios 2012-2014 secondhand value all the way down to dustbin T_T? since the car like a tin kosong sigh…
Can buy old stock at cheaper price, discounted?
I want to buy this kia. Just now I called kia hotline for booking fee. I will take this. I will not buy new myvi. The chasis and body yucks if drive myvi in highway. Very ringan. Cantik tak guna. Saya nak. Strong firm steady drive. I goi bff for picanto. Love picanto. Spec and features
Look at the rear. Below bumper. Got the silver metal. That is for stability and wind cut. Super stable. Normally racing car tunedbsti. Subaruhas this. I love picanto. Thanks. Peter shreyer
Kia riorio and kia picanto. Has arm rest adjuster forward/backward and. Mudflaps. Standard factory. Marvelous. Thanks korean.
Look at the wiper. It is super long. Wow. Driver wiper is long to wipe more space
This car can bungkus already. At RM60k with only 1.2 NA engine, unimpressive specs with a weak brand, only a Kia enthusiast will buy it. Conclusion is DOA or DEAD ON ARRIVAL!
Naza should just focus their effort on alternatives.
No. To new myvi. No no
Try sit in current myvi and shake or move your body, u will see the entire. car shakes. goyang goyang
Kia famous for high steel. 51 % body. More stronger then proton
Picanto. New. In many. Ang mo. Countries. See u tube
Nowadays Kia and Hyundai cars are having chassis matching those conti cars. I own a Kia Carnival and it is stable at 150km/h on highway. NVH is good as well. My mum, wife and baby can sleep soundly on the second row seats :) But it is a boring car to drive. If Kia can improve the steering feel then it will make it a great car.
Can’t wait
I believe u did not own a Kia car before (I’m talking about Kia cars under NazaKia). I’ve been servicing my Kia Forte 2.0 at NazaKia SC for 7.5 years. All I can say is, the servicing price is on par if not lower than the other brand’s car at SC (for the same segment). Even my wife’s Preve CFE & my sis Honda HRV are costlier to service at their respective SC than my Forte. I read the more detailed article on comparebox.pk.