Kia has revealed pricing for its all-new two-variant Picanto light hatch, kicking off from $14,190 plus on-roads for the five-speed manual, while the four-speed automatic has risen by $700 over the outgoing version to $15,690 driveaway.
Its $14,190 pricetag makes it the second-most expensive micro car on the market behind the Fiat 500 which starts at $18,000 for the manual Pop, and is beaten on price by the Mitsubishi Mirage which starts from $12,250, the Suzuki Celerio ($12,990 drive away) and Holden Spark ($13,990 plus ORCs).
Despite its higher price, the Picanto has been a sales success since launching in Australia in April last year, leading the micro-car sales race in the first four months of 2017 with 985 sales for a 40.7 per cent segment share.
Kia Motors Australia (KMAu) COO Damien Meredith explained that the arrival of the Picanto in Australia a year before the all-new model lobbed was used to test the popularity of the car in the local market.
“The current Picanto was a toe in the water for us in a segment which was, to be honest, struggling,” he said.
“We believed there was life in the segment for the right car and the fact that what was an ageing model is now the most popular in the segment proved that to be true.”
Rear changes are mild, with a redesigned rear bumper and tweaked tail-lights.
The new Picanto adds extra connectivity technologies, revamped exterior styling improvements in ride and handling to what is already Australia’s favourite micro car.
Front fascia design has been revised and now features more angular headlights, a larger upper grille that extends out to meet the headlights, a large lower grille with redesigned shape and more pronounced side intakes and foglight bezels.
Rear changes are mild, with a redesigned rear bumper and tweaked tail-lights.
The Picanto is also the first car in its class to offer torque vectoring by braking.
Wheelbase length has increased by 15mm to 2400mm, which in turn decreases the front overhang by 25mm, however the vehicle is still the same length at 3595mm.
Both manual and automatic variants come equipped with 14-inch steel wheels, and eight different colour options.
Inside, the most obvious upgrade is the addition of a 7.0-inch touchscreen interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, replacing the outdated infotainment cluster on the old model.
Inside, the most obvious upgrade is the addition of a 7.0-inch touchscreen interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The touchscreen also allows for a reversing camera, while other changes include a redesigned air-con panel, new instrument cluster, new steering wheel design and different air-con vents.
Cabin space is increased, with boot space jumping from 200 litres to 255L, which expands to 1010L with the 60:40 rear seats folded flat.
Suspension changes and a longer wheelbase have helped to increase ride stability and handling, while a new steering rack means the steering ratio has quickened by 13 per cent, reducing the turns of the wheel lock-to-lock from 3.4 to 2.8 turns.
The Picanto is also the first car in its class to offer torque vectoring by braking, which comes as a component of the car’s electronic stability control system.
Under the bonnet remains the 1.3-litre aspirated petrol engine that powered the outgoing Picanto, which makes 62kW at 6000rpm and 122Nm at 4000rpm.
Changes to the Picanto’s frame have resulted in a 12 per cent increase in tensile strength, thanks to double the amount of advanced high strength steel compared to the old model, while overall torsional stiffness is improved by 32 per cent.
Six airbags are offered as standard, but AEB is yet to appear on the features list.
Like all Kias, the Picanto comes with Kia’s seven-year warranty, capped-price servicing and roadside assist.
2017 Kia Picanto pricing
Picanto manual - $14,190 (list)
Picanto auto - $15,690 (drive away)
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