2021 Kia Picanto UK Version
About the Car
2021 Kia Picanto UK Version
Refreshed design for 2020
Youthful and emotional design
Crossover-style ‘X-Line’ delivers greater choice
Efficient new ‘Smartstream’ petrol powertrain line-up
New Automated Manual Transmission option for drivers needing an auto
1.0-litre T-GDi engine is Picanto’s most powerful engine ever
Up to 58.9mpg, with emissions from 110g/km
High-tech safety features and connectivity features
New ‘Phase II’ UVO Connect telematics and advanced infotainment system
The platform makes extensive use of high-strength steel
Fuel-saving ISG (Integrated Stop & Go) standard on all models
Kia Motors has made substantial upgrades to its smallest model, the Picanto. Offering a range of new safety and telematics technologies often reserved for larger, more expensive vehicles, the upgraded model also boasts lower emissions from newly reengineered powertrains, and striking design updates, inside and out. You can find more visual details of the 2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version gallery by scrolling up.
The upgraded Picanto brings with it a suite of advanced safety technology from Kia’s larger cars, making it among the safest cars in its class. It also offers Kia’s new ‘Phase II’ UVO Connect telematics technologies, enhancing vehicle connectivity and control to take the stress out of journeys. Enhancements to the Picanto’s petrol powertrain line-up include Kia’s new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) for a smoother drive.
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, comments: “The Picanto is one of our best-selling models in several regions worldwide, and a particular favourite among European A-segment drivers. The upgrades to the model are designed to keep the Picanto one-step ahead of its competitors thanks to its vibrant design and fun-driving attitude, combined with ‘class-above’ connectivity and safety technologies. We are confident the updated Picanto will further extend our market share in this highly competitive segment.”
Kia’s smallest car in Europe – the youthful, stylish and fun-to-drive Picanto – is available with two highly distinctive body styles with the crossover-style ‘X-Line’ models sitting alongside the conventional five-door city car.
The ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ variants make no pretence at being a full-blown SUV – they are driven through the front wheels only – but have a more rugged look which broadens the appeal of the Picanto in a market in which the crossover is king. The ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ variants are powered by a 1.0-litre engine with a five-speed manual or five-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and are heavily based on the ‘GT-Line’.
Advanced connectivity and driver assistance features keep occupants fully in touch with the outside world while minimising the risk of accidents. The modern platform features high-strength steel, boosting strength and safety, and the range includes ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ variants to add a level of sportiness to the Picanto line-up.
All models are powered by upgraded versions of the 1.0-litre petrol engine, now with lower fuel consumption and emissions. The Picanto is capable of up to 58.9mpg, with CO2 emissions from 110g/km. A 99bhp version of Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine joined the line-up in 2018 and is the most powerful Picanto yet.
In line with market demand, the Picanto is available only as a five-door car.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Front View 3/4
The Picanto and its market
The Picanto competes in the A-segment, or city car sector of the UK and European car markets, one-step down in size from traditional superminis. It is a sector which is shrinking in size with increasing customer demand for crossover-type models over conventional city cars, hence the inclusion of distinctively bodied ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ variants.
The segment accounts for more than one million sales a year in Western Europe. In the UK, A-segment sales amount to around 130,000 a year and the Picanto has regularly been one of the top five best-selling models. The UK contributes almost a quarter of Picanto sales in Europe.
In this area of the market, size matters. Customer research shows that city-car buyers do not want big cars, so Kia engineers and designers have ensured that the Picanto is no larger than its predecessor. The ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ variants are 30mm wider and 15mm taller, with the increase in height accounted for by the greater ground clearance.
Price, exterior design, value for money and equipment – areas in which Kia has traditionally been strong – are the prime motivators among customers in this corner of the market. Kia confidently expects the stylish, spacious, sporty and modern Picanto to increase its market share in the next few years, especially models like the ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ variants in the range.
There are 13 versions of the Picanto on offer in the UK, based on two engines, two transmissions and seven trim lines – grades ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’, ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’.
The unchanged size of the Picanto disguises the ingenuity that has gone into its packaging for both passenger and luggage space. Boot capacity is a class-best at 255 litres and this increases to 1,010 litres with the rear seats folded.
The design of the Picanto was a joint effort by Kia’s studios in Germany and at Namyang in South Korea, where the car is sold under the ‘Morning’ name.
At the front the grilles and air intakes are flanked by multi-focus reflector or bi-function projection headlamp units (on ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models). The front fog lights fitted to grade ‘3’ and above are housed in separate side grilles and on ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models, within the main lower grille. Air curtains in the side grilles channel air away from the wheel arches and wheels to reduce turbulence and improve aerodynamics while adding a more dynamic appearance. There is a bolder, more assertive bumper, which is echoed at the rear. The top of the windscreen is castellated, as on several other Kias.
Inside, the Picanto follows other recent new Kias with a horizontally structured dashboard split into display and control areas, separated by a satin chrome trim strip, which emphasises the cabin’s width and the car’s strong, stable stance. Vertical ventilation outlets at the outer edges of the dashboard act as bookends for the instruments and display areas.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Interior Detail
DESIGN AND PACKAGING
The Picanto line-up has received a comprehensive enhancement to exterior design, with significant updates made to sporty ‘GT-Line’ and SUV-inspired ‘X-Line’ models in particular. The result is a refreshed, more distinctive appearance.
The ‘face’ of both the ‘GT-Line’ and ‘X-Line’ Picanto models has been revised to give each car a more purposeful design. This starts with the ‘tiger-nose’ grille, which features a new textured surround and open-link appearance. The chrome-effect surround forms a sweeping shape, which extends into the lower part of the redesigned headlamps, and gives the car a wider, more stable appearance. Each side of the ‘tiger-nose’ features a red highlight on ‘GT-Line’ models, or black trim on ‘X-Line’ models, which resemble air intakes.
Both versions of the car now feature redesigned headlights and four-bulb LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the car also features a new LED rear combination lamp design and a slimmer fog light design, creating a more recognisable rear light signature at the same time.
Both ‘GT-Line’ and ‘X-Line’ models feature refreshed front and rear bumper designs with sharper creases in the bodywork for a more contemporary appearance. The changes create a more rugged, robust-looking design for ‘X-Line’ models and, for ‘GT-Line’ models, an appearance that visually links the car to higher-performance ‘GT’ models in Kia’s range. A larger, wider air intake in the lower bumper is accented by the ‘GT-Line’ body-coloured bumpers with gloss black highlights, and jewel-like fog lamps. ‘X-Line’ models echo the appearance of SUV protective skid plates, with metal-effect trim bearing the ‘X-Line’ logo, and a gloss black surround, which extends from the front grille into the wheel arch surrounds at the side of the car.
The upgraded Picanto offers buyers greater a choice with eight vibrant paint finishes designed to make the car stand out. A new aluminium alloy wheel design for grade ‘2’ strengthens the Picanto’s sporty character, and is a 16-spoke, 14-inch design.
The third generation Picanto offers two highly distinctive body styles with the inclusion of crossover-themed ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ models alongside conventional five-door city cars.
Size matters when it comes to city cars like the Picanto. Buyers want space, versatility and practicality, but within a compact package that can be threaded through narrow and crowded urban streets and parked in the tightest of hard-to-find spaces.
Gregory Guillaume, Kia’s Head of European Design, describes the new Picanto as “a small car that someone forgot to tell that it is small”.
Exterior
There is a simple elegance about both body styles with the Picanto and a complete absence of fussy extraneous detail, making them more youthful and energetic in appearance. From the front, the conventional city car gives the false impression of being wider and more stable than the previous model thanks to the elongated and slimmer ‘tiger-nose’ upper grille. This is in black with either silver paint or, from grade ‘2’ upwards, a chrome surround. It stretches outwards to meet the multi-function reflector or bi-function projection headlamp units. LED daytime running lights are standard on ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line-S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’.
The lower grille/air intake of all models is larger, and is now widest at its lower edge, in complete contrast to that on the previous model. Upright side grilles now house the front fog lights on grade ‘3’, and they are pushed as far outwards in the muscular bumper as is possible. The Kia badge has been relocated from the grille to just above it, and there are concealed windscreen wipers, which help towards a drag co-efficient, or Cd, of 0.33, reducing wind noise. Air curtains, which channel air away from the wheel arches and wheels, reduce turbulence and improve aerodynamics while adding a more dynamic appearance. The top of the windscreen is castellated, as on several other Kias. The front fog lights are in the main lower grille on ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Side View
The side window trim is black on ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ models, with chrome on all other versions. Tinted glass is standard, and privacy glass features on the rear side windows and tailgate of ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models. There are aerodynamically honed door mirrors and all models except grade ‘1’ feature alloy wheels.
The chunky appearance of the front bumper is echoed at the rear, and the fog light and reversing light have been pushed as far out to the car’s extremities as is possible. C-shaped main light units – LED for ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ – are retained, but are more voluminous, with added detail to give a more high-tech image. As at the front, the overall effect is to exaggerate the car’s width and stability. A roof spoiler aids aerodynamics and houses the high-level brake light. Grades ‘3’, ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT Line S’ with the new 8-inch touchscreen have a subtle shark’s-fin antenna.
The ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ has a series of rugged design cues with imposing, SUV-style bumpers and silver-coloured skid plates at the front and rear. Unique to the ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ models, there are black cladding on the side sills and around the wheel arches to enhance the visual effect. There are trim twin exhaust outlets, and the ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres.
‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ have larger sports front and rear bumpers with gloss black skid plates, red highlights within the upper grille and side air intakes, along the side sills and in the lower rear bumper, which contains a diffuser section and trim twin exhaust tailpipes.
Interior
Folding rear seats that are split 60:40, are standard across the range, expanding the luggage area to a maximum of 1,010 litres. The ‘X-Line S’ and ‘GT-Line S’ has a two-level boot floor. ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ models come with five seats as standard, with all other editions featuring four seats.
The dashboard, in common with other recent new Kias, is slim and wide to emphasise the cabin’s width, and is split along horizontal lines into an upper display area and a lower control area. It is clean, modern and simple, with a satin chrome strip separating the two principal areas.
The quality of the Picanto – perceived and actual – is evident in the fit and finish and the choice of materials. The instruments appear in a 2.6-inch monochrome cluster display on grade ‘1’, while all other versions feature a larger 4.2-inch supervision monochrome cluster display. There is black cloth on grade ‘1’, premium black cloth upholstery on ‘2’ and ‘3’ models, black faux leather with green stitching on ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ models and black and red faux leather on ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ versions. A leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter appears from grade ‘2’ upward and a D-Cut steering wheel is standard on ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ editions. Black door handles appear on grade ‘1’ models, with silver painted items on ‘2’ and ‘3’ versions, while ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models have satin chrome door handles.
Comfort is assured thanks to seats that are based on those in Kia models two or three classes up. Where the seats in many city cars have one-piece backrests with integrated headrests, those in the Picanto feature fully adjustable active headrests. The new seats share the same base materials and construction as those in the Ceed. In the rear, the backrest angle is 27 degrees, with prominent side bolsters, and all of this makes for a more comfortable and relaxing ride on longer journeys.
In-car practicality has not been overlooked, either. There is generous storage space, which includes, at the base of the centre console, an open double-shelf tray to store mobile devices and other small items, with retractable twin cupholders. A central armrest for front passengers, which is standard in grades ‘3’, ‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’, is a first in class and slides fore and aft by up to 55mm. It covers a small storage compartment designed to accommodate a one-litre water bottle or a sunglasses case. The ‘X-Line S’ and ‘GT-Line S’ also has a tray for wireless charging of mobile devices.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Exterior Detail
‘X-Line’, ‘X-Line S’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’
‘X-Line’ is similar in content to the ‘GT-Line’ model, but with unique black faux leather upholstery with green stitching, satin chrome door handles, metal pedals with anti-slip inserts and privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate. It’s new 8-inch touchscreen display with DAB radio and RDS and is compatible with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™.
The ‘X-Line S’ variant adds chrome exterior door handles to differentiate the model visually, as well as the addition of automatic air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, heated front seats and steering wheel, a wireless mobile phone charger and a smart key with engine start/stop button. There’s a dual height luggage area floor, and both driver and front passenger sunvisors feature a vanity mirror, with illumination on the driver’s side.
‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ also have distinguishing features to emphasise their role as the sportiest models in the range. The most obvious of these from the inside is their black faux leather upholstery with light grey stitching. There are satin chrome door handles and, for the ‘GT-Line S’, a heated steering wheel and front seats.
The ‘X-Line S’ and ‘GT-Line S’, along with grade ‘3’ versions, also have a new 8-inch central ‘floating’ touchscreen, giving access to the navigation, infotainment and connectivity systems, which include integration with Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom® Live, DAB radio and Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ connectivity via apps pre-loaded onto a smartphone.
DYNAMICS
The new Picanto, like its predecessor, is based upon a suspension system, which features independent MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam axle at the rear, with column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS).
Kia engineers haven’t messed with the winning formula of sharp handling responses and comfortable ride of the previous Picanto, as this provides great stability and quick steering reactions – something that is especially helpful in confined city streets and when parking.
When the all-new Picanto was launched three years ago, the MacPherson strut front suspension had revised geometry, which reduced friction, to ensure that the forces from the wheels are now more in line with the dampers. The anti-roll bar was two per cent stiffer and mounted slightly lower, while at the rear it was made five per cent stiffer. This reduced the angle of cornering roll by up to one degree which, along with the shorter front overhang, improved steering responsiveness.
The slightly more rearward weight bias reduced the pitch centre of the car and nosedive when braking, improving ride comfort without the need for firmer spring and damper settings. The extended wheelbase also added to ride comfort.
The changes implemented three years ago have been carried over to the new Picanto, meaning that the rear torsion beam is U-shaped and featured new trailing arms to reduce unsprung weight on the rear axle, with no loss of component rigidity. As at the front, the measures were designed to reduce friction and maximise damping.
Other alterations back then included a steering rack for the MDPS system that was mounted lower and is 13 per cent quicker, requiring just 2.8 turns between the extremes of lock instead of the previous 3.4. Along with the shorter front overhang, this considerably improves the responsiveness and agility in tight manoeuvres and when parking. The Picanto has a tight turning circle of just 9.4 metres.
Wheels of 14-, 15- or 16-inches in diameter (steel on grade ‘1’ models; alloy on all others) are fitted, with 175/65 R14, 185/55 R15 or 195/45 R16 tyres. All models have a tyre repair kit in place of a spare wheel.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Wheels
ENGINES
The upgraded Picanto is available with two new ‘Smartstream’ petrol engines, each maximising efficiency and lowering CO2 emissions compared to their predecessors. The engine line-up features a 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine producing 99bhp, or a 1.0-litre DPI (Dual-Port Fuel injection) engine producing 66bhp.
The most powerful engine ever to appear in a Picanto takes pride of place in the third-generation model. It is a 99bhp version of Kia’s in-house 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-injection) unit and was new during 2018. The T-GDi power unit is offered alongside a new 1.0-litre ‘Smartstream’ petrol engine. As with the vast majority of city cars, there is no diesel engine because any savings in running costs would not be sufficient to compensate for the higher purchase price.
A major re-engineering programme has reduced the fuel consumption and emissions of the Smartstream engine, which is capable of 58.9mpg and 110g/km. Five-speed manual gearboxes are standard on all of the engine choices, with a five speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) available on all grades, except ‘1’ and ‘GT-Line S’.
1.0 T-GDi powerplant cuts a dash
Among other innovations, the 1.0-litre T-GDi engine features a more efficient 350 bar high-pressure fuel injection system, and it fits in perfectly with Kia’s downsizing strategy by delivering exceptional power and torque from only three cylinders and a cubic capacity of just 998cc, thanks to turbocharging and direct injection. The T-GDi unit sprays a fine mist of fuel directly into the cylinders through a high-pressure (up to 200 bar) injection system, resulting in highly efficient combustion. Direct injection with turbocharging also helps to boost low-speed response and driveability.
The key targets were instantaneous response, high combustion efficiency and exemplary torque across a wide portion of the rev band. The 1.0-litre 12-valve T-GDi engine develops 99bhp at 4,500rpm and 171Nm of torque continuously from 1,500rpm to 4,000rpm, and features a number of innovative technical solutions. There are laser-drilled injectors with six holes laid out in a pyramid shape so that the fine mist of fuel is spread evenly throughout the cylinders. A straight air intake port ends in a sharp air intake throat, reducing air resistance at all stages of the process. This improves cylinder tumble flow for faster, more efficient combustion while suppressing engine knocking.
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There is a single-scroll turbocharger paired with an electric wastegate motor. This improves turbocharger performance while scavenging clean air for the engine to re-use for combustion. At the same time, it allows the wastegate to open to improve the flow of spent exhaust gases. It is an innovative system, which allows higher low-end torque, more immediate response at any throttle opening and improved fuel economy at high engine loads.
The engine is fitted with an integrated exhaust manifold in a one-piece casting, improving sealing, reducing weight and lowering exhaust gas temperatures. Lower temperatures result in cleaner emissions by allowing the catalytic converter to operate more effectively. Engine temperatures are closely regulated by a dual-thermostat split cooling system, which allows the block and cylinder heads to be cooled independently. The main thermostat controls the flow of coolant to the cylinder heads above 88º C to reduce knocking, while the engine block thermostat shuts off coolant flow above 105º C to reduce friction and improve efficiency.
There is continuously variable valve timing on both the inlet and exhaust sides, electronic throttle control and light, low-friction moving parts. The crankshaft is offset from the centre line to aid smoothness. As a result of these detailed engineering measures the T-GDi engine exhibits minimal throttle lag – the delay between the driver pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger delivering boost. The turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold.
For added durability, the cylinder block has been heat-treated and the crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods have been strengthened.
The T-GDi engine accelerates the Picanto from standstill to 60mph in 9.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 112mph.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Interior Detail
New ‘Smartstream’ engine innovations increase efficiency
The new engines are equipped with a new Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS), which provides more effective combustion chamber cooling. ITMS varies engine cooling characteristics based on the engine’s operating point.
The naturally aspirated engine replaces multi-point injection with new dual-port fuel injection technology, with optimised injection timing for maximum fuel efficiency. It features improved exhaust gas recirculation lines and optimised intake valve timing, for maximum fuel efficiency improvements.
The 1.0-litre 12-valve unit develops 66bhp at a reduced 5,500rpm and 96Nm of torque at 3,750rpm, giving the car a 100mph top speed and sprightly 0-60mph acceleration in 14.1 seconds with immediate responses that befit a primarily urban car. Of equal interest to budget-conscious buyers is its excellent combined economy capable of up to 58.9mpg and CO2 emissions from 110g/km. The spread of torque, acceleration and highway performance have all improved compared with the previous Picanto.
Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG)
All versions of the Picanto are fitted with Kia’s Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG) stop-start system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in traffic. As the name implies, this switches off the engine when the car comes to rest and the driver puts the gear stick into neutral and releases the clutch pedal. The engine restarts instantly as soon as the pedal is partially engaged, and this feature means the car is not using fuel and no emissions are released when it is at rest.
ISG consists of crankshaft position, battery and vacuum sensors plus neutral, on-off and clutch switches that feed into an electronic control unit. This operates the ISG starter, intelligent alternator and cluster. The air conditioning units and bonnet switch also feed into the ISG ECU.
The crankshaft position sensor measures the crankshaft angle during engine run-out and monitors it while the vehicle is stopped, ensuring the starter is activated for as short a time as possible by optimising cranking and combustion. The battery sensor monitors battery condition and temperature, while the clutch and neutral switches recognise when drivers wish to continue driving and ensure the engine is started. There is a brake booster pressure sensor to make sure the engine continues to operate if brake boost falls too low.
A new heavy-duty maintenance-free Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery delivers the power necessary to run the system, and intelligent alternator management reduces drain on the battery while accelerating and recharges the battery during coasting and braking. The system has been engineered not to stop the engine during warm-up after a cold start or if the air conditioning is working hard. Drivers can also manually turn off ISG through a switch next to the gear stick.
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2021 Kia Picanto – UK Version Rear View 3/4
Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)
The updated Picanto is the first model equipped with Kia’s new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). The AMT is based around a five-speed manual transmission with clutch and gearshift actuators to automate clutch operation and gearshifts. Using a single dry clutch, the AMT is a cost-effective option for customers who favour the convenience and ease-of-use of an automatic transmission, without sacrificing the fuel efficiency of a conventional manual transmission.
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