Kia Picanto. Practical, affordable and compact vehicle
Kia Picanto is a subcompact front-wheel drive A-class hatchback produced by the South Korean automobile maker, Kia Motors. In Asia, the Picanto is marketed under the Morning name. Currently, Israeli buyers can purchase the Kia Picanto 5-door hatchback, although a 3-door version used to be produced for Europe. The first Kia Picanto was released in 2003. In 2021, Israeli buyers had a chance to purchase the third generation of this compact city car after the 2020 restyling.
The first generation
The first generation Picanto, presented in 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, was built on the platform of the subcompact Hyundai Getz. To compete with European models, the first Picanto was equipped with an MP3 CD player, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking and electric mirrors. After the restyling in 2010, the Kia Picanto boasted new lighting equipment, a new bumper, a signature radiator grille and an improved interior. This 2010 restyling was carried out in order to fit the car to the new corporate style of Kia. The first generation Kia Picanto was sold until 2011.
The second generation
The second generation Kia Picanto appeared in 2011 and was sold until 2017, while its restyling took place in 2015. Built on the Hyundai-Kia MX platform, the second Picanto boasted a longer wheelbase and an increased overall length. The car was designed by Kia’s European design team led by Peter Schreier. The Picanto won the 2011 iF product design award in the “Transportation Design” category for its unique style. Top Gear gave it a Red Dot Award in the “Automobiles, transportation, commercial and water vehicles” category and named the Picanto “Car of the Year” in 2011. The second generation Kia Picanto was so loved by the European public that it won the Best Compact Car award, ranked 6th among the top 10 city cars, and received a 7 out of 10 Top Gear points as “well-made, well-equipped, practical and affordable car”. In 2015, an upgraded Kia Picanto appeared. It was equipped with new bumpers, lighting equipment and interior fittings.
The third generation
The third generation Kia Picanto was released in 2017. The new Picanto has become a little wider and taller than its predecessor, had a more spacious trunk (55 liters bigger) and a ground clearance increased to 161 mm. The steering response is better, although the suspension of the new Picanto is more rigid. The 2017/2018 Kia Picanto is equipped with the MacPherson strut front suspension, with shock absorbers. The rear suspension is semi-dependent (torsion beam). Compared to its predecessor, the chassis is now more advanced and has stiffer anti-roll bars and a ‘sharper’ steering gear with electric power steering.
The 2019/2020 Kia Picanto hatchback boats an energetic and striking design. The sophisticated interior is distinguished by protruding ovals of side ducts with silver edging, which is in harmony with a horizontal insert that serves as a pedestal for the multimedia system monitor and visually divides the front panel into two parts. The 2020 Kia Picanto offers a bunch of new features designed to enhance comfort and safety.
