Revealed: 2020 Kia Picanto

Kia has upgraded its affordable city car with interior updates, styling changes and a range of improved engines. The 2020 Picanto will go on sale in the autumn with prices expected to start in the region of £11,000.

The facelifted Kia Picanto line-up uses the same 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines as the outgoing model, but both have been updated to meet the latest WLTP CO2 emissions regulations. Updates include a new engine management system, a revised fuel injection system and improved exhaust gas recirculation lines.

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The 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine offers 67PS and 96Nm of torque, while the 1.2-litre four-cylinder has an output of 84PS and 122Nm of torque. Kia says changes to both engines improve their fuel efficiency, but haven't published any mpg figures for the 2020 Picanto.

At the top of the Picanto line-up sits a revised version of the city car's turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit, which produces 100PS and 172Nm of torque and can switch between different combustion cycles depending on the driving situation.

All three engines come fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox - with a five-speed automatic gearbox available as an optional extra. In terms of safety updates, the 2020 Picanto will offer automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blindspot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and a driver attention warning.  

The new Picanto gets more personalisation options with 10 paint finishes and either 14-inch or 16-inch alloy wheels, while the GT-Line and X-Line models will see new bumpers, redesigned front lights and LED rear lights.

Inside, the Volkswagen Up rival has a new 4.2-inch digital dashboard and an eight-inch infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers also have a choice of either cloth or faux-leather seat upholstery and a range of interior colour packs - lime, orange, red and green.

The Picanto will also be one of the first Kia models to offer Phase II UVO Connect telematics features, meaning you'll get smartphone app-based system for a range of functions - like checking the location of the car and sending route directions to the sat-nav.

Prices for the updated Picanto have yet to be revealed, but we expect prices to start at around £11,000. It will go on sale across Europe in the third quarter of 2020.