Your Guide to the 2024 Kia Picanto Hatchback

Kia recently launched a facelifted 2024 Kia Picanto in two trims and updated pricing. Regarding updates, the Picanto elevates essential features with a sharper design and more tech. Following its second facelift, the hatchback has a refreshing new look in a compact package.

Updates include:

• Safety and tech upgrades
• Ample cargo space
• Refined exteriors and interiors

Kia Picanto trims and price:

The 2024 Kia Picanto is available in two trims, with a few differences in exterior and interior features. The engine and overall performance remain the same in both trims.

Type 12 – Starting from AED 53,550

Type 15 – Starting from AED 62,895

Kia Picanto Design

The Kia Picanto is a compact hatchback that measures 3.5 metres in length and 1.5 metres in width. Inside, it has a headroom of 1,005 mm, a legroom of 1,085mm.

The basic trim features a body-colour bumper, 14-inch wheel covers, electric folding mirrors, body-colour outside mirrors, and rear fog lamps. Upgrading to the higher trim adds 15-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, DRL lamps, rear combination lamps, and sharp LED headlamps with a prominent full-width light bumper. These elements are exclusive to the top-spec GT-Line variant, which is a key reason to spend the extra AED 9,345.

Interior Design and Tech

The Picanto has a standard 4.2-inch driver cluster screen, automatic cruise control, a keyless entry system, audio controls on the steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows, and Bluetooth. The button start and smart key are exclusive to the higher trim.

Interiors remain similar to the previous model, with hard plastics dominating the cabin, bubbly air vents, a single chrome dashboard strip, and a basic centre console with USB charging port.

At the centre, the dashboard has manual temperature controls and an 8-inch multimedia screen equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which also displays a rearview camera for ease.

The higher trim includes an artificial leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver cluster, artificial leather seating with heating and cooling, and chrome finishes around the cabin.

The Picanto’s boot offers 255 litres of cargo space with the seats up and 1,010 litres when folded down. There are four bag hooks in the boot for securing items, and it has a deeper boot than a usual car, which means more space. Rear seats can be folded at 60:40 and come with two child seat ISOFIX anchors in the higher trim. 

Kia Picanto Safety

Safety is enhanced with two airbags, an anti-lock brake system, a tyre pressure monitoring system on the driver cluster and electronic stability control. The higher trim gains auto light control and rear parking sensors. 

Other safety features include a front auto emergency braking system, lane-keep assist, automatic light sensors that can be controlled through the 8-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 4.2-inch driver supervision cluster screen. The driver assistance systems also include a cruise control option although it does not show the speed it is set at.

Engine & Performance

The 1.2-litre petrol engine dates back to 2011, which delivers a maximum of 83 hp and 122 Nm of torque. In addition, it also provides a fuel consumption of 17km/L and a kerb weight of 1,018 kg. Overall, the Picanto is light and compact, which means it moves reasonably well and is refreshingly nimble for easy driving and parking.