2020 Kia Picanto Receives New Engines, Tech & Design

What Car?’s Best Value Car of the Year 2020 - the Kia Picanto – receives a host of new upgrades ranging from more efficient engines to contemporary styling renovations that unlock personalisation options.

But what exactly has changed for the 2020 Kia Picanto?

Let’s work from the outside in…

Modifications made to the exterior are largely enjoyed by the Picanto’s sportier GT-Line and SUV-esque X-Line models which feature a refreshed facelift through the likes of redesigned day-time running headlamps, new bumpers and an updated tiger-nose grille.

The 2020 Picanto also gets LED taillights, 2 new alloy wheel designs and an upbeat selection of 10 new colourful paint finishes. Choose from the sporty 16-spoke 14-inch wheels or the two-tone diamond-cut 16-inch wheels.

Once you’re inside you’ll notice the finer enhancements such as the now 8-inch infotainment display (previously 7-inch) which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard as well as Kia’s updated Phase II UVO telematics software which allows ‘access to live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, fuel prices, and details of potential on- and off-street parking – including price, location and availability.’

It also ‘enables owners to activate a range of functions and features remotely. Depending on location, users can remotely send route directions to their car before a journey, check the location of their vehicle, and access vehicle reports and diagnostic notifications.’

The instrument cluster also gets a newly revised 4.2-inch high-res digital display and of course this wouldn’t be the lively city- car we know and love if it wasn’t for a range of new interior upholstery colour packs to suit your taste and preference.

Under the bonnet, there are new powertrains which feature Smartstream technology to boost efficiency and fuel economy. Choose from two 1-litre petrol engines offering 66bhp or 99bhp or drive away a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder option with 83bhp depending on which trim you select. Both 1-litre engines use a new Integrated Thermal Management System to provide more effective cooling of the combustion chamber.

What’s more, the 2020 Kia Picanto becomes the first model to be equipped with Kia’s new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) – a system using manual transmission with an automatic clutch which requires the driver to shift the gears manually – which again improves efficiency.

Fixed to a new 5-Speed gearbox, the semi-automated transmission claims ‘to offer the convenience of a normal automatic gearbox combined with reduced fuel consumption and cost.’

Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe, said: "The Picanto is one of our best-selling models in several regions worldwide, and a particular favourite among European A-segment drivers."

He added: “The upgrades to the model are designed to keep the Picanto one step ahead of its competitors thanks to its vibrant design and fun-driving attitude, combined with ‘class-above’ connectivity and safety technologies. We are confident the updated Picanto will further extend our market share in this highly competitive segment.”

Upgrade your Picanto experience even further by taking advantage of the new additional safety tech available. This includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Warning, Lane-Keep Assistance and more.

The Kia Picanto 2020 is expected to launch later this year. Want to be the first to know more about release dates, economy figures and prices? Register your interest below and we’ll keep you updated.

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_{*Some images may not show UK spec}