The refreshed 2024 Kia Picanto officially revealed

We’ve seen the 2024 Picanto’s new looks through leaked images floating on the web and its looks drew a lot of attention. You might be aware that the Kia Picanto has recently been discontinued in the Philippines. However, the situation takes a different turn in its country of origin, South Korea, where the mini hatchback continues to thrive.

In South Korea, the Kia Picanto goes by the name Morning, and, much like the leaks suggested, Kia has given it a makeover. The update brings major changes to the mini hatchback’s exterior design, complemented by interior upgrades. Even more good news is the inclusion of advanced driver-assist technologies in the new Picanto.

Starting with the biggest change in the 2024 Picanto, the refreshed Picanto adopts Kia's "Opposites United" design language, which is featured in their fully-electric vehicles like the EV6 and flagship EV9 SUV. Major exterior updates include vertical LED headlights connected by a sleek chrome bar, resulting in a dynamic front fascia that incorporates sizeable faux intakes and inserts, lending it a rather aggressive and maybe even wilder appearance than before.

Moving to the rear, the Picanto receives diffuser-like elements incorporated into the bumper design, adding some sportiness to the hatchback. A horizontal light bar connects the pair of LED taillights, providing a stylish and cohesive rear-end design. Completing the overall look, the GT-Line variant rides on 16-inch wheels, while lower variants feature smaller sets of alloys. When put side by side with the latest generation of Kia cars, it's easy to spot where some design cues were picked to add to the Picanto’s redesign.

In terms of interior updates, the refreshed Picanto now incorporates a digital display for the instrument cluster, providing a modern and informative interface. Additionally, it is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen head unit that offers Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Interestingly, the Picanto introduces over-the-air functionality, allowing for convenient software updates. Furthermore, the Kia Connect app provides drivers with convenience features like live traffic information, weather updates, and convenient information about available on and off-street parking options.

For the South Korean market, the 2024 Picanto is offered with an array of advanced driver assist systems. These include navigation system-based adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, cyclist and pedestrian detection, as well as high-beam assist. The Picanto also includes a remote start system, allowing the cabin to be cooled down after being baked in the sun.

While specific engine details are currently unavailable, it has been confirmed that the 2024 Picanto will have two options: a 1.0-liter and a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine, both featuring three cylinders. The automated manual transmission (AMT) will continue to be available, which apparently has been tinkered with by Kia’s engineers to be more eco-friendly and more efficient.

Kia Philippines has not provided any information on a Philippine launch. So for now, we’ll wait on news if the Kia Picanto gains entry into our shores.