A Fresh Facelift for an Urban Favourite, because in the world of city cars, the Kia Picanto has long been a favourite for its practicality, reliability, and value for money. The 2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line brings a fresh facelift to this third-generation model – and marks 20 years of the Picanto nameplate.

In fact, this is the second time this generation, introduced in 2017, gets an updated, with new styling and features that keep it competitive in the ever-shrinking segment of small urban cars.
Priced at £16,745 for the GT-Line 1.0 Manual variant, this Picanto aims to impress with its blend of economy, comfort, and modern tech.

Under the Bonnet: Performance and Economy

The 2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line is powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine, producing 62bhp and 93Nm of torque. While these figures might not set your pulse racing, they are perfectly adequate for city driving.
The car achieves 0-62mph in 15.4 seconds and has a top speed of 90mph. More importantly, it delivers a combined fuel consumption of 52.3mpg, making it a cost-effective choice for daily commutes and urban errands. The lightweight construction, with a kerb weight of just 985kg, aids in achieving this impressive fuel economy.

Exterior and Interior Upgrades

The most noticeable changes in this facelifted Picanto are on the outside. The front end now features a more vertical headlight arrangement, bringing it in line with other models in the Kia lineup, like the EV9. This gives the Picanto a more modern and aggressive look. The GT-Line variant comes with stylish 16-inch alloys, auto headlights, and LED lights, enhancing its curb appeal.

Inside, the Picanto GT-Line boasts black and grey artificial leather upholstery, which not only looks premium but is also easy to clean. The cabin is well-equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 4.2-inch instrument display provides all the necessary driving information at a glance. Other notable features include electric adjustable and heated door mirrors, air conditioning, and a variety of connectivity options with USB and USB-C ports.

Practicality and Space
Despite its compact size, the Picanto offers a decent amount of practicality. The boot space is 255 litres, which can be expanded to 1,010 litres by folding down the 60:40 split rear seats. While the rear passenger space is tight, particularly for taller individuals, the front seats are comfortable and offer good support. There are thoughtful touches throughout, such as the height-adjustable front seatbelts, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a tyre repair kit.

Driving Experience
On the road, the Picanto GT-Line is a joy to drive in urban environments. The light clutch and responsive gearchange make manoeuvring through city traffic a breeze. The steering is light, which suits the car’s city-friendly character, though it could benefit from a bit more heft on twisty roads. The ride quality is generally good, absorbing most bumps and imperfections with ease.

One of the highlights is the car’s nimbleness. The excellent turning circle and compact dimensions make parking and navigating tight streets hassle-free. The brakes are linear and reassuring, providing good stopping power without being overly aggressive.

Safety and Reliability
Safety is well catered for in the Picanto GT-Line, with features such as collision avoidance, lane keep assist, cruise control, and an intelligent speed limiter. The car is equipped with ABS and stability control, hill-start assist, and front, rear, and side airbags.

It also comes with a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty, a 12-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation warranty, and a 5-year/100,000-mile paint warranty, underscoring Kia’s confidence in its reliability.

The 2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line is an great choice for those seeking an economical, practical, and well-equipped city car. While it may not offer thrilling performance, it excels in delivering a comfortable and hassle-free driving experience. With its fresh facelift, modern tech, and impressive fuel economy, the Picanto remains a top contender in the small car segment. If you’re in the market for a reliable and stylish urban runabout, the new Picanto GT-Line should definitely be on your shortlist.

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