Kia recently took its Picanto in for a mid-cycle retouch. What they came up with is the same youthful and energetic hatchback, but with enhancements in the visual, comfort, and technical aspects. Best of all, it’s now available in the Philippines.
The new Picanto now has a wider “tiger nose grille” accented with clearer integrated fog lamps. It also has a flared front bumper and a rear bumper with an integrated black diffuser-like panel. Though the side profile remains mostly the same, the update enhances the car’s upbeat look. There’s even an option to roll out on a new 14-inch alloy wheel design. But the visual treats don’t end there.
The refreshed interior is now beckoned with patterned fabric seats and chrome strips on the gauge cluster, AC vents, and gear shift lever base. A glossy piano-black trim meanwhile lines the transmission panel and the gear shift lever. Onboard entertainment was also updated with a larger LCD screen, improved MP3 player device synchronization, and enhanced analogue radio antenna reception.
Kia didn’t touch the Picanto’s engine, so it still runs on the same gasoline engines: a 1.0L 3-cylinder with a 5-speed MT and a 1.2L 4-cylinder with a 4-speed AT. What they tweaked though is the car’s driving dynamics. It now has larger brakes - a set of 252 mm front brakes (from 241 mm) available as an option. These further improve the car’s stopping distance from 100 km/h to full-stop in just 37 meters.
From a standstill, the Picanto now launches more smoothly especially in 1st and 2nd gear. This is due to new carbon-coated manual transmission components and new urethane stoppers at the end of the shift throws.
With all these updates, the new Picanto is now available from Columbian Autocar Corporation at P575,000 for the Picanto 1.0 EX and P650,000 for the Picanto 1.2 EX.
Latest News
-
Mitsubishi Triton Black Edition debuts in Thailand—Is the Philippines next? / News
Mitsubishi's latest Triton Black Edition hits the market in Thailand, featuring exclusive rear-wheel drive and a stylish dark theme.
-
Chevrolet unveils the 2025 Corvette ZR1 / News
With 1,064 hp and 1,122 Nm of torque on tap, the twin-turbo 2025 Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful Corvette ever built.
-
BYD stirs up local crossover segment with new Sealion 6 DM-i Advanced / News
BYD has officially pulled the covers off the Sealion 6 DM-i, with a retail price of P1,580,000.
Popular Articles
-
Cheapest cars under P700,000 in the Philippines
Aug 25, 2023
-
First car or next car, the Ford EcoSport is a tough package to beat
Jun 18, 2021
-
Car Maintenance checklist and guide – here’s everything you need to know
Earl Lee · Jan 12, 2021
-
Most fuel efficient family cars in the Philippines
Bryan Aaron Rivera · Nov 27, 2020
-
2021 Geely Okavango — Everything you need to know
Joey Deriquito · Nov 19, 2020
-
Family cars in the Philippines with the biggest trunks
Sep 20, 2023
-
Head to head: Toyota Rush vs. Suzuki XL7
Joey Deriquito · Oct 28, 2020
-
Why oil changes are important for your car
Earl Lee · Nov 10, 2020
-
2021 Kia Stonic — What you need to know about it
Joey Deriquito · Oct 16, 2020
-
Top 7 tips for buying a used car in the Philippines
Joey Deriquito · Nov 26, 2020