Australia will miss out on Kia’s best safety technology when the updated Picanto arrives in the third quarter of 2020.
The updated micro hatch will feature a new look and fresh infotainment system, but none of the additional active safety equipment offered on the refreshed Korean and European models revealed last month.
Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert all remain off the table for the Picanto in Australia.
The current Picanto already offers autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning across the range.
Kia hasn’t confirmed why the Picanto will miss out on the updated safety suite, however it’s likely the extra technology would have made it impossible for the company to maintain the car’s current sharp pricing.
The Picanto follows the pattern laid down by the larger Rio hatchback, which will miss out on the adaptive cruise control and lane-follow system offered overseas when the facelift arrives later this year.
The updated Picanto hasn’t, however, missed out on all the good stuff Down Under.
When it arrives later this year, the Picanto will feature a larger 8.0-inch infotainment system in place of the current 7.0-inch unit, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a new 4.3-inch display between the instruments.
Externally, the new Picanto wears a more aggressive face than before. The base Picanto gains upgraded headlights for 2020, while the GT-Line and GT get revised front and rear fascias along with new 16-inch alloy wheels.
The updated Picanto GT will be powered by a new 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine making the same 74kW of power and 172Nm of torque as before, mated with a five-speed manual transmission.
The wider engine range remains the same, which means S, GT-Line, and X-Line models will feature a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine with 62kW and 122Nm, mated to either a five-speed manual or optional four-speed auto.
