The second styling update for Kia’s smallest model – and Australia’s cheapest new car – has been spotted in South Korea, ahead of the first Australian showroom arrivals due later this year.
the face lift 2024 Kia Picanto has been spied testing in South Korea, ahead of its Australian launch scheduled for the second half of this year.
As previously reportedthe spicy it is expected to receive another facelift before the end of 2023, after the current model launched in 2017 and a first facelift in 2020, rather than a new generation for the time being, amid declining car sales. urban worldwide.
Images posted on South Korean social media platforms, including autospy show from kia Updated Picanto is getting a makeover inspired by the upcoming KIA EV9 Seven-seater electric SUV.
There are new headlamps with a vertical look similar to the EV9, as well as upcoming facelifts for the seven-seat Sorento SUV and the Carnival people mover, as part of what appears to be a new front bumper.
The machined alloy wheels are also new, while there is a new rear bumper. The taillights have also been revised, but it’s unclear if they will adopt the curved look of the EV9 or more conventional units, similar to the current model.
Photographers have yet to take a look inside the updated Picanto.
It’s unclear if it would adopt the latest displays and features from other Hyundai and Kia cars, or if they would be considered too expensive for the Picanto’s inexpensive role in showrooms.
Kia Australia has committed to keeping the entry price of a Picanto below $20,000 for “as long as possible”.
It also remains to be seen if the 2023 update will introduce any new security technology abroad, or if Australia will gain access to a full suite of advanced security aids available in international markets.
The Kia Picanto currently sold in Australia is equipped with autonomous emergency braking as standard, but loses lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which are available in Europe and South Korea. South.
Overseas, the Picanto is also available with air conditioning with automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, support for a Kia Connect smartphone app, a sunroof, and a driver’s knee airbag. (in addition to the six airbags already available). standard here).
No upgrades are anticipated for the 1.2-litre non-turbo four-cylinder or 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder engines, as they already meet the latest European emissions regulations, and any upgrade would be costly.
He Facelift Kia Picanto 2024 it is expected in Australian showrooms in the second half of this year. Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.
As previously reported, based on the typical six-year life cycles of Kia models, the Picanto should be replaced by an all-new model in 2023, as the current car went on sale in 2017.
However, Kia is prioritizing another facelift, for the time being, as city car sales decline globally and strict emissions rules by 2025 in Picanto’s main market, Europe, threaten the future of small cars. affordable gasoline-powered
Production of the Kia Picanto in South Korea, where the Australian cars are sourced, totaled approximately 120,000 cars during the first 10 months of 2022, up from 165,000 and 177,000 during the same periods in 2019 and 2017, respectively.
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