2024 Kia Picanto Photos, engines & full specs

The Korean automaker introduced a second refresh for the third generation of the Picanto at the beginning of 2023. Thus, the seven-year-old model became more attractive to customers who didn't want to spend too much on transportation.

Kia used to be that automaker that produced cheap but reliable vehicles. Over the years, the Korean company invested more in technology and became a major player on the world stage. Moreover, it climbed high in the reliability tops with its cars. But, besides its most-known products, such as the Ceed, the Sportage, or the Optima, it also produced the tiny Picanto. Previously, it was a vehicle that impressed only a few people with its design. But all that was changed in 2023, along with the second facelift of the car, which occurred three years after the first refresh and six after the model's introduction.

The front fascia started to resemble other Kia products with its continuous LED light strip that crossed the vehicle from side to side, visually connecting the headlights. Moreover, the GT-Line version featured an air dam adorned with a shiny black rim underlining the lower cooling area. Moreover, the lower grille also hosted the radar for advanced safety systems such as the AEBS or the adaptive cruise control. Usually, that kind of design was mostly seen in sports cars, and the Picanto was far from being one. In addition, the automaker installed additional scoops on the sides that mimicked air intakes to cool the brakes, but those were not functional. The headlights featured three stacked LED lamps and were flanked on their outer sides by vertical daytime running lights. The car's shape didn't change, but at the rear, the automaker installed new taillights and, at the lower part of the bumper, a plastic diffuser.

Inside, the Picanto boasted a digital instrument cluster, which, together with the touchscreen for the infotainment system placed atop the center stack, created a modern-looking digital dashboard. In 2023, there were still many larger and more expensive vehicles that still featured analog dials. At the front, Kia installed high-mounted seats that offered little to no bolstering areas. After all, it was a vehicle designed for cities, not for high-speed cornering. Between the front passengers, the carmaker placed the gear stick, while on the center stack, added an option for a wireless charger. In the back, there was hardly room for three adults on the split-folding bench seat. Behind them, the hatchback featured a tiny trunk that was good enough for a backpack and a couple of lunch bags.

Under the hood, Kia installed a choice of two engines, one liter and 1.5-liter, respectively. Both versions sent their power to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic (automated), depending on the market.