The all-new third-generation Picanto is the most technologically advanced, most stylish, most refined and sportiest small car that Kia has ever produced, and is now available to lease from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.
With nine versions on offer, (two engines, two transmissions and five trim lines), and the most powerful engine ever offered in a Picanto – a 99bhp 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged unit – to follow soon, the five-door Kia Picanto also offers advanced connectivity and driver assistance features to help "keep occupants fully in touch with the outside world while minimising the risk of accidents."
The entry-level grade ‘1’ model features:
From grade ‘2’:
Grade ‘3’ adds:
Distinguishing features on the ‘GT-Line’ model:
And the top-of-the-range ‘GT-Line S’ adds:
All models from grade ‘3’ have Autonomous Emergency Braking as standard which can bring the car to a complete stop at certain speeds and to a partial stop at up to 107mph, with grades ‘1’ and ‘2’ having it as an option; and the ‘GT-Line S’ and grade ‘3’ versions feature the 7" centre-mounted 'floating' touchscreen that is integrated with Kia Connected Services, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The all-new Picanto is the same size as its previous incarnation, although slightly taller and with a longer wheel base - which helps provide more passenger and luggage space.
Kia designers looked at the cabin space and have moved things around to ensure that his is possible, with a slimmer dashboard and lower seats combining to not only make the cabin lighter and more airy, but also adding in more front head, leg and shoulder room than in the previous model.
Kia's studios in Germany and at Namyang in South Korea have worked tirelessly on the look of the new Picanto - so much so that the character has changed from 'cute' and 'cheeky' to 'sporty' and 'sophisticated', in line with consumer needs when it comes to a city car.
At the front, wider grilles and air intakes are flanked by multi-focus reflector or bi-function projection headlamp units, depending on model, with fitted front foglamps, where fitted, housed in separate side grilles or, on GT-Line and GT-Line S models, within the main lower grille.
There is a bolder, more assertive bumper, front and back, a lower and flatter waistline, more emphatic wheel arches, body-colour or chromed door handles, black or chrome belt-line strips and black or body-coloured door mirrors; and at the rear, larger C-shaped rear light clusters.
Inside, new materials and trim enhancements scream quality, with seats in smart black cloth, premium black cloth or black and red faux leather, depending on model - and from grade '2', leather trim on the steering wheel and gear lever.
The standard colour from the new Picanto is Blue Breeze, with Clear White, Silver Frost, Titanium Silver, Midnight Black, Chilli Red and Pop Orange as optional alternatives.
The all-new Picanto is available only with petrol engines - diesel engines not being a particularly viable option for city cars - and with the all-new Picanto, their three powerful and refined engines will include – for the first time – a 99bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi unit later in the year.
The entry-level three-cylinder 66bhp 1.0-litre engine is capable of 64.2mpg, with CO2 emissions of only 101g/km, with the four-cylinder 83bhp 1.25 not too far behind, the latter available with an optional four-speed automatic gearbox alongside the standard five-speed manual.
And both engines are multi-point injection (MPi) engines, providing reduced fuel consumption and emissions alongside lively performance, with plenty in reserve for motorway driving.