Although the new Picanto won’t arrive in dealerships sooner than 2017, the Korean brand is already busy working on the next-gen hatch according to our trusty paparazzi. Details as to what it may bring to the table are slim, but I do expect the upcoming Picanto to feature Kia’s new design language and an updated, more upscale interior. Under the hood, look for slightly more powerful and fuel efficient engines, and maybe even a significantly upgraded transmission.
Much like its predecessor, the Picanto won’t cross the pond to North America, where the Rio 5-door will remain Kia’s smallest hatchback. The new Picanto, however, will be offered in most markets in Europe and Asia, where it will compete against the likes of Toyota Aygo, Ford Ka, and Hyundai i10.
Exterior
Although most of the car’s body panels are covered in thick camouflage, we can distinguish many of the new details hidden under the wraps. Up front, we can see that the hatch sports a pair of redesigned LED headlamps. While their shape isn’t exactly obvious, it seems that they no longer extend toward the windshield. As for the LED lights, the technology will likely be offered as an option. Down below, there are revised fog lamps, a slightly larger apron grille. Though not visible, I’m sure that the "tiger nose" grille has also been upgraded.
Around back, the first thing that catches the eye is the new taillight cluster, which also employs LED technology. The way the camouflage is shaped around the tailgate suggests Kia used thick cladding to cover that area, which could mean the Picanto received a completely reshaped rear end. We won’t know for sure until the car loses some of the camo, but the hatch could get a smaller, raked rear windscreen for a sportier look. Other than that, no other details are visible, but I expect the hatch to sport a reshaped bumper and new reverse lights.
As far as the overall shape and size go, the third-gen Picanto appears to be about the same. However, with this being an early prototype, more changes are likely to occur along the way.
Interior
The Picanto’s new interior is still a mystery. Not only is most of the cabin covered in black cloth, but our spy shooters weren’t able to get close to the car for some close ups either. However, the third-gen car’s cabin should be an improvement over the current model, which should bring us one of the most remarkable interiors in this low-priced segment. Look for higher quality plastic surfaces, more metallic inserts, better fit and finish, and a more ergonomic center stack. Already a roomy vehicle for its size, the Picanto should also offer more legroom in the rear due to better packaging.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, the new Picanto should get a selection of small-displacement, three- and four-cylinder engines. Depending on the market, the hatch will be powered by either 1.0-liter, three-pot or 1.2-liter, four-pot gasoline units. Both will be based on the current units, but crank out more power and sip less fuel. On the diesel front, it should come with the 1.1-liter, inline-three from the second-generation Hyundai Hyundai i10. New manual and automatic transmissions are also on the table, likely with five and four cogs, respectively.
Prices
With the current-generation model priced from £7,895 in the U.K., the upcoming version could cost more than £8,000 before options. Final pricing in Europe will also depend on whether the third-gen Picanto will get a five-door version on the Old Continent. As of January 2016, the small hatch is only available with three doors in the U.K. and other European markets. A five-door version would fetch more than £8,400 before options.
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