The Kia Picanto soldiers on with new looks taken from the current Niro model.
It has been a while since the Kia Picanto was offered in the Malaysian market and boy do we miss it. This was a tiny but high-quality hatchback with a smooth 4 cylinder and loads of tech for the price of a base model Myvi. Unfortunately, it didn’t sell too well and new brand stewards Bermaz don’t really see it as a priority for Malaysia. Regardless, the Picanto soldiers on in other markets where it has been given its second facelift since the third generation model debuted in 2017.
The 2024 Kia Picanto arrives with a new face that looks heavily inspired by the Kia Niro (which IS coming to Malaysia soon). Headlamps are more vertical with this new look while the front bumper and ‘tiger nose’ grille has been given some enhancements along with some real air intake elements. Around back, there’s a new rear bumper and tailgate that emphasizes the car’s width. The Picanto has clearly been put through the new ‘Opposites United’ Kia design philosophy. Being just a facelift though, the proportions of the Picanto haven’t changed. It’s still the same stubby A-segment hatchback it was before.
There’s a GT-Line kit for a sportier look and wheel sizes range from 14 to 16 inches with the largest ones being reserved for the GT-Line model with a diamond cut design. Four new colours for the Picanto have been introduced: Signal Red, Smoke Blue, Sporty Blue and Adventurous Green.
Inside, we see Kia’s push for more style in this compact form as well as more eco-conscious material choices. There are new Adventurous Green and Rich Brown colour packs as well as a Glossy Black Pack on the GT-Line model. Leather in the Picanto is artificial, which Kia says was chosen to reduce their environmental impact.
The Picanto comes with an 8″ touchscreen infotainment system with a 4.2″ digital display for the driver instrument cluster. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard, and there’s support for Bluetooth multi-connection. The vehicle also features over-the-air updates.
Powering the 2024 Kia Picanto is either a 1.0L three cylinder or 1.2L four cylinder naturally-aspirated engine, the latter of which would be familiar to Malaysian Picanto owners. The motors haven’t been hugely improved, but there are changes to the exhaust gas re-circulation lines and intake valve timing that improve efficiency and emissions. Transmission options are either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automated manual.
Safety features are extensive on this little hatchback. There’s a range of ADAS features including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist 1.5 with vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian detection and Junction Turning functionality. There’s also Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Leading Vehicle Departure Warning, to name a few more features.
