Piquant Picanto
Manufactured from 2004, the Kia Picanto is now in its third generation. We wanted to take a look at the major differences between the second (2011 – 2017) and third generations (2017 to present), and see just how much this entry-level city car has changed.
Related: 2017 Kia Picanto 1.2 Smart - Car Review (VIDEO)
Let's take a look at five areas where the Picanto has changed most.
1. Exterior
The exterior naturally receives the biggest changes. New body lines, wheel options, bumpers, new lighting front rand ear as well as a new tiger nose style grille.
2. Interior
With the Picanto being a small entry level city car, interior luxury is kept to a minimum, that is not to say that it is bad but you can tell the difference between the trim levels on offer. The third generation gets the option of colour insets for the cloth seats and dashboard as well as an updated infotainment system.
3. Engine & Drivetrain
The Picanto has always made use of 1.0l and 1.2l engine sizes with the option of a 5 speed manual or 4 speed auto transmission. The latest generation of Picanto has an updated engine, superior in efficiency and emissions regulations, to that of its predecessor.
4. Features
The Picanto comes in a number of trim levels such as Start, Street, Style and Smart. Each trim level has a higher spec of fitment than the last. Going into the third generation, each trim level received a higher spec than previously fitted. The addition of Apple Car Play and Android Auto as well as extra safety features was also welcomed.
5. Safety
The second generation of Picanto scored a 3-star EURO NCAP rating while the thrid gen managed a 4-star rating due to uprated safety equipment and design.
