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Just three years after its initial arrival, the evergreen Kia Picanto has undergone a subtle midlife refresh. Extending the range’s lineup, Kia South Africa also introduces the all-new Picanto X-Line with distinctive crossover styling.

The new Picanto X-Line features a series of bespoke design details that make it stand out from its siblings. At the front, a redesigned radiator grille – a new interpretation of Kia’s well-known ‘tiger nose’ – and an aggressive front bumper give the X-Line a sporty stance, perfectly augmented by its eye-catching LED headlights.

At the rear, a bespoke and completely redesigned rear bumper completes the picture, with faux skid-plate detailing and full LED rear lights, ensuring it looks the part from all angles. Crossover-inspired cladding, mud guards and 15-inch alloy wheels gives the X-Line a true ‘Go There’ stance.

The city express is available in 10 exterior colours, including a new shade of Astro Grey, and an optional sunroof is available on special order.

Just because you’re chasing life’s adventures doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable, which is why the Picanto X-Line comes standard with all the creature comforts you can think of. Replacing the SMART derivative in the Picanto range, the X-Line features a vast array of specifications and features, including two-tone artificial leather upholstery and a new 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, allowing for the safety and convenience of screen mirroring services such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also incorporates a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines.

Apart from the Picanto X-Line, Kia has also introduced subtle revisions to the remainder of the Picanto range. While there are no exterior design updates, the range specification has been revisited in order to ensure that customers get the value for money that Kia is renowned for.

Feature highlights across the START range include power steering, an adjustable steering column, manual air-conditioning as well as a radio with RDS and MP3 capability, AUX and USB connector jacks, Bluetooth connectivity and two speakers, to name but a few. The Picanto START retains its 13-inch steel wheels with stylish wheel covers.

On the STREET models, the most notable update is the addition of the 8-inch infotainment system with an integrated rear-view camera. This includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.

The Picanto STYLE now has new alloy wheels that add to its value proposition, which already includes automatic headlamps, electric folding mirrors plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, to name but a few.

Kia’s well-loved 1.0 MPI and 1.25 MPI engines remain on duty in the Picanto range, with the new X-Line derivative only offered with the 1.25-litre engine. The fuel-efficient 1.0 MPI three-cylinder engine produces 49 kW at 5 500 r/min and 96 Nm torque, while the four-cylinder 1.25-litre engine develops 61 kW of power and 122 Nm of torque. Customers have a choice between a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

The Picanto remains the safest A-segment vehicle Kia has ever built, with 44% of its bodyshell cast in Advanced High-strength Steel (AHSS). This super-strong steel has been used specifically to reinforce the Picanto’s floorpan, roof rails, A- and B-pillars and engine bay, strengthening the core structure of the car. Overall, 67 metres of joins throughout the body structure is also reinforced with structural adhesive, improving the Picanto’s torsional stiffness by 32% over its predecessor.

Pricing                       

Service and warranty

All Picanto models ship as standard with KIA’s industry-leading Unlimited Kilometre, 5-year warranty (inclusive of Roadside Assistance), as well as a prepaid 2-year / 30,000km service plan. The 2021 KIA Picanto range is on sale immediately.

www.kia.co.za