Kia Picanto undergoes specification rethink
Smart’s revisions have gone the other way with the removal of the rear parking sensors and reverse camera.
by Charl Bosch
Entering its third year of production this year, Kia has introduced a number of specification upgrades to the Picanto range, including the removal of some models.
Starting the upgrades off, the entry-level Start now comes as standard with a passenger’s airbags and ABS, while the next step-up Street receives rear electric windows, heated and electric mirrors, the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and newly designed plastic covers for the 14-inch steel wheels.
The mid-range Style is next and benefits from 14-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and gear knob, as well as folding electric mirrors with integrated indictors.
At the sharp-end, the Smart’s revisions have gone the other way with the removal of the rear parking sensors and reverse camera, both now optional, and inclusion of a sunroof that previously featured on the options list. According to Kia, the removal of said features came as a result of customer feedback where more emphasis on connectivity and infotainment was placed.
Up front, the automaker has kept the existing engine line-up unchanged, but with the Street no longer offering the 1.2-litre petrol engine and the Smart doing without the smaller 1.0-litre motor. In addition, both engines’ outputs are unchanged with the three-pot again producing 49kW/95Nm and the four-cylinder 61kW/122Nm. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard across the line-up with a four-speed automatic optional.
As before, the Picanto is offered with a five year/unlimited km warranty and a two year/30 000 km service plan.
PRICING
Picanto 1.0 Start – R167 995
Picanto 1.0 Start AT – R181 995
Picanto 1.0 Street – R179 995
Picanto 1.0 Street AT – R193 995
Picanto 1.0 Style – R189 995
Picanto 1.0 Style AT – R203 995
Picanto 1.2 Street – R188 995
Picanto 1.2 Street AT – R202 995
Picanto 1.2 Style – R 198 995
Picanto 1.2 Style AT – R212 995
Picanto 1.2 Smart – R219 995
Picanto 1.2 Smart AT – R233 995