| Kia Picanto | |
|---|---|
 2018 Kia Picanto | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Kia Corporation |
| Also called | Kia Morning (South Korea and Taiwan) |
| Production | 2003–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Kia Visto |
TheKia Picanto is acity car that has been produced by the South Korean car manufacturer,Kia, since 2003. Other names of the car includeKia Morning (Korean:기아 모닝,romanized: Gia Moning) in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan (first two generations) and Chile,Kia EuroStar in Taiwan (first generation),Kia New Morning in Vietnam[1] and theNaza Suria orNaza Picanto in Malaysia (first generation).[2] The Picanto is primarily manufactured at theDonghee joint-venture plant inSeosan, South Korea,[3] though some countries locally assemblecomplete knock-down versions of the car.
The vehicle has been developed in compliance with the "light car" (Korean:경차,romanized: Gyeongcha) category in South Korea which offers tax incentives for vehicles with exterior dimensions below 3,600 mm (141.7 in) in length and 1,600 mm (63.0 in) in width.[4][5]
The name“Picanto” relates to the Spanish and Italian words “picante/piccante”, meaning “spicy.”
The Korean’s version name“Morning” may trace its origin from the“Morning Calm”, as a reference to South Korea’s tradition. Since 1886, when a book written byPercival Lowell obtained large success in theUnited States in narrating the history of Korea, the country started to be internationally referred as “the Land of Morning calm”,[6] and its ruling monarchy theJoseon, became known abroad as the“Morning Dynasty”.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 2004 Kia Picanto LX (pre-facelift) (UK) | |
| Overview | |
| Model code | SA |
| Also called |
|
| Production | September 2003–2011 |
| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-doorhatchback |
| Platform | Hyundai-Kia SA |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,370 mm (93.3 in) |
| Length | 3,535 mm (139.2 in) |
| Width | 1,595 mm (62.8 in) |
| Height | 1,480 mm (58.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 836–945 kg (1,843–2,083 lb) |
The first generation Picanto was revealed at the2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.[13] It was based on a shortened platform of theHyundai Getz and was 3,495 mm (137.6 in) long, with a five-doorhatchback body style.[14] The car was available with a choice of two petrol engines: a 1.0-litre, with 61 hp (45 kW) and 86 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft), or a 1.1-litre, with 65 hp (48 kW) and 97 N⋅m (72 lb⋅ft), both withmultipoint injection.[15] In Europe, a 1.1-litrethree-cylinderdiesel engine (based on theKia Cerato's 1.5-litrefour-cylinder unit) was also available, withdirect injection and a variable geometry turbocharger, the power reaching 75 hp (55 kW) and a torque of 153 N⋅m (113 lb⋅ft). The petrol engines had a combined consumption of 5.1 L/100 km (55 mpg‑imp) and 5.2 L/100 km (54 mpg‑imp) respectively, while the diesel used 4.4 L/100 km (64 mpg‑imp). Anautomatic gearbox (with torque converter)[16] was optional for the petrol units. In some countries, it was sold with a 1.2-litre engine, also used on the newerHyundai i10.[citation needed]
To increase its appeal in the European market, the Picanto was equipped with such features as CD player with MP3 audio playback, air conditioning, front and patented rear electric windows, remote central locking, and electric mirrors. These features were advertised in a short-lived campaign starringMarcus Grönholm.
Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2004 registration:
| Test | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Adult occupant: | 17 |   |
| Child occupant: | 37 | |
| Pedestrian: | 6 | |
The Picanto received a facelift in 2007. Among the minor changes were the light clusters (front and rear), a new bumper and front grille. For the UK and Cyprus markets, the indicator stalk was switched to the opposite side. For the Italian market, a new bi-fuelLPG version debuted alongside the 1.0 L and 1.1 L engines. This model also saw a change inpower steering configuration fromhydraulic toelectric.
In 2009, the Picanto received some minor interior and exterior changes, including a new front fascia that incorporates the 'tiger nose' grille.[18] This facelifted model would not be exported to Europe.
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 Picanto 5-door (pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Model code | TA |
| Also called | Kia Morning |
| Production | 2011–2017 August 2019–present (Pakistan) |
| Assembly | |
| Designer | Peter Schreyer Park Kee-hong[23] Cho Kwae-jae[24] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3/5-doorhatchback |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,385 mm (93.9 in) |
| Length | 3,595 mm (141.5 in) |
| Width | 1,595 mm (62.8 in) |
| Height | 1,490 mm (58.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 840–900 kg (1,852–1,984 lb) |
The second generation Picanto made its debut at the2011 Geneva Motor Show.[29] Designed by Kia's European design team based inFrankfurt,Germany, under the direction ofPeter Schreyer, the new model is longer in wheelbase and overall length than its predecessor. The Picanto is offered with a choice of twogasoline engines: a 1.0 literthree-cylinder[25] or a 1.25 literfour-cylinder. The Europe-spec 1.25 liter engine features ecoDynamics, Kia'sstart-stop system.[30] In addition, there is also a petrol/LPG version of the 1.0 liter engine available.[28] The Brazil version is equipped with aflex fuel version of the 1.0 liter engine that uses both petrol andethanol.[26]
The Picanto was available worldwide (exceptNorth America,Venezuela,China, andSingapore) as a 5-door hatchback while the European market received the exclusive 3-door variant.[31] The 3-door version is the same length as the 5-door model, but it sports new windows and doors, different bumpers and a front grille with silver or red trim.[32] In South Korea, the Morning is offered in a Sport Pack, which consists of the 3-door's front and rear bumpers, as well as a digital speedometer.[33]
In some countries, the Picanto name is accompanied by a modifier for marketing reasons. Examples includePicanto Ion forColombia,[34]Picanto R forEcuador,[35]Picanto Flex forBrazil,[36]Picanto K1 for Thailand,[37] andPicanto 1250 forNew Zealand.[38] In theIndonesian market, the 1.0 liter variant was namedMorning 1.0 to distinguish it from the 1.2 liter Picanto; this variant was sold in 2015 only.[39]
The second-generation facelifted Picanto for the Pakistani market was launched at Pakistan Auto Parts Show (PAPS) 2019. It is locally assembled atLucky Motor Corporation's plant inKarachi. It is offered in two variants: one of the variants comes with 5-speed manual transmission while the other comes with 4-speed CVT. Both variants are equipped with the 1.0 literKappa II MPI I3 petrol engine. Production commenced in August 2019, with actual sales starting October 2019.[40][41][42][43]
In November 2013, Kia Netherlands released a limited edition model called the Picanto R-Cross. Marketed to compete with theVolkswagen CrossUp, this model featured a black body kit that wrapped around the wheel wells and was fitted with 14" alloy wheels. Only 500 units of the R-Cross were produced.[44][45]
As part of the marketing campaign for the Picanto, Kia produced a promotional video featuring the world's first nail art animation. Over 900artificial nails and 1,200 bottles ofnail polish were used in a span of 25 days (with each nail taking two hours to paint) to create images of the Picanto in motion.[46]
In the UK, the Picanto is the official sponsor of theITV dating game showTake Me Out. Kia UK released a series of viral videos on theirYouTube channel to promote both the car and the programme. Each video features actress Natasha Barrero, as she drives a black Picanto 3-door before being swooned over by different men.[47]
A Lemon Grass Morning appears as the transforming robot Tobot D in the South Korean animated seriesTobot.[48]
The Picanto won theiF product design award in the "Transportation Design" category in 2011[49] and theRed Dot award in the "Automobiles, transportation, commercial and water vehicles" category in 2012.[50][51]Top Gear magazine named the Picanto "Bargain Car of the Year" in 2011.[52] The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers awarded the Picanto as "Best Small Car" in 2011.[53] In South Africa, the Picanto took theStandard Bank People's Wheels Award for "Budget Buys - Affordability First" three years straight from 2011 to 2013.[54][55] In 2016,J.D. Power and Associates awarded the Picanto on UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) in the City Car category.[56]
In 2013, the Morning in South Korea was updated to use the European three-door's front and rear bumpers with the headlights incorporating a new LED daytime running light system. The interior featured a revised instrument cluster with a digital speedometer. The silver trim was replaced with a gloss black trim. A touchscreen multimedia stereo system was offered as an option. The new model was equipped with seven airbags, a Cornering Brake Control system, a handbrake alarm, and height adjustable seat belts. Aside from the standard 1.0 liter gasoline engine, the Picanto was offered with a new "Eco-Plus" engine mated to acontinuously variable transmission (CVT).[57]
The international version of the Picanto remained unchanged aside from the new front bumper.[58]
In 2015, the Picanto received redesigned front and rear bumpers with new fog lamps. In addition, the car was offered with aturbocharged version of its 1.0 liter Kappa II engine, which increased power output from 69 hp to 106 hp.[27] The revised engine metEuro 6 standards.[59] The Picanto was also offered with optional 252 mm (9.9 in) front disc brakes, an increase from the stock 241 mm (9.5 in).[60]
The facelifted Picanto debuted at the2015 Geneva Motor Show in March and went on sale across Europe by the end of the month.[59]
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Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2011 registration:
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: | | |
| Adult occupant: | 31 | 86% |
| Child occupant: | 40 | 83% |
| Pedestrian: | 17 | 47% |
| Safety assist: | 3 | 43% |
ASEAN NCAP test results for a RHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2013 registration (with and without airbags):[62][63]
| Test | Score |
| Adult occupant protection: | |
| Adult occupant protection (non-airbag): | |
| Child occupant protection: | |
| Child occupant protection (non-airbag): | |
The airbag variant tested was the Malaysian model equipped with six airbags,Electronic stability control (ESC), andIsofix. The non-airbag variant tested was the Thai version, which is similarly equipped as the Philippine and Indonesian models.
Australian NCAP test results for a RHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2016 registration:[64]
| Test | Score |
| ANCAP safety rating: | |
| Overall score: | 34.26 out of 37 |
| Frontal offset: | 15.12 out of 16 |
| Side impact: | 14.14 out of 16 |
| Whiplash protection: | Acceptable |
| Pedestrian protection: | Marginal |
| ESC: | Standard |
| Seat belt reminders: | 3.0 out of 3 |
The Picanto in its most basic Latin American market configuration with no airbags, noABS and no ESC received 0 stars for adult occupants and 1 star for toddlers fromLatin NCAP in 2016 (only in 2020 did the protocol reach the Euro NCAP 2014 level).[65]
| Test | Score | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | | 0.0 out of 34 |
| Children | | 13.30 out of 49 |
The African version of the Picanto with driver airbag and no ABS received 3 stars for adult occupants and 2 stars for infants fromGlobal NCAP in 2018 (similar to Latin NCAP 2013).[66]
| Test | Score | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | | 10.78 out of 17 |
| Children | | 17 out of 49 |
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
_Petrol_-_Blue_Breeze_-_03-2024%2c_Front.jpg) Pre-facelift | |
| Overview | |
| Model code | JA |
| Also called | Kia Morning Kia Grand Eko Taxi (Colombia) |
| Production | 2017–present |
| Assembly | |
| Designer | Peter Schreyer |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-doorhatchback |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 4-speedautomatic 5-speedautomated manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in)[68] |
| Length | 3,595 mm (141.5 in)[68] |
| Width | 1,595 mm (62.8 in) |
| Height | 1,485 mm (58.5 in) |
The third-generation Picanto made its official global debut at the2017 Geneva Motor Show.[69] The new Picanto was equipped with a choice of three engines: the outgoing model's 1.0-literKappa II three-cylinder engine in the multi-point injected and turbocharged direct-injected versions, and the 1.2-literKappa II four-cylinder engine. Both 1.0-liter engines were mated exclusively with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the 1.2-liter engine was also offered with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.[70][68] The car features all-new safety features such asTorque Vectoring Brake Based (TVBB) system,Straight Line Stability (SLS), Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) andAutonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).[71][72]
_S_hatchback_(2018-10-12)_03.jpg)
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For the Malaysian market, the third-generation Picanto was launched in January 2018. It was powered by the naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine and was initially available in only one trim level (EX), with a 4-speed automatic transmission. In January 2019, the GT-Line variant was announced, featuring Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and many other new features. In May 2019, a base variant KX and a crossover variant designated X-Line were added.[73][74][75]
For the Indonesian market, the third-generation Picanto went on sale in October 2019. It was powered by the 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine and offered in GT-Line and EX trim levels with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.[76] The Picanto was discontinued in Indonesia in 2022.
Kia Motors in South Korea debuted the Morning in January 2017 with a series of TV commercials featuring actorsShim Eun-kyung,Park Jeong-min, andJin Kyung.[77] For the international release of the Picanto and thefourth-generation Kia Rio, Kia Motors produced two music videos featuring Korean-American singer Kate Kim and American musician Lee Radde in May 2017.[78][79]
The Picanto GT Line was featured in Season 2 Episode 3 ofThe Grand Tour, where co-presentersJames May andRichard Hammond drove it on a "lunchtime office car park racing" track at Houghton Hall business park in theLuton/Dunstable Urban Area.[80]
The third-generation Picanto won theiF product design award in the "Transportation Design" category[81] and theRed Dot award in the "Car Design" category in 2018.[82]
What Car? named the Picanto "Best City Car" in their 2018 Car of the Year Awards.[83]
Euro NCAP test results in 2017 for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant with standard equipment on a 2017 registration:
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: | | |
| Adult occupant: | 30.3 | 79% |
| Child occupant: | 31.6 | 64% |
| Pedestrian: | 22.8 | 54% |
| Safety assist: | 3 | 25% |
Euro NCAP test results in 2017 for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant with optional safety pack on a 2017 registration:
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: | | |
| Adult occupant: | 30.3 | 79% |
| Child occupant: | 31.6 | 64% |
| Pedestrian: | 22.8 | 54% |
| Safety assist: | 5.7 | 47% |
Latin NCAP results for the South Korean-made Picanto in its most basic Latin American market configuration with two airbags, no load limiters, and noESC under their new rating protocol (similar toEuro NCAP 2014) in 2020[86] for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant with only one airbag. It received a zero-star rating.[87]
| Test | Score | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | | |
| Adult | 0 | 0.0 out of 0 |
| Children | 29 | 14.32 out of 24 |
| Pedestrian protection | 51 | 24.59 out of 51 |
| Security assistance systems | 7 | 3.00 out of 6 |
In June 2020, Kia introduced a mid-life facelift. Featuring styling tweaks on the exterior, new technology and powertrains. Exterior update on standard models includes restyled headlights and grille, whilst the GT-Line and X-Line trims were given restyled front and rear bumpers. Interior updates includes a 4.2-inch instrument panel and 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto supports. Other interior updates are new upholstery and different colour trim options.
The engine range has also been updated with revised fuel injection and engine management to improve fuel economy as well as a five-speed automatic gearbox to replace the older four-speed one. Safety and driver assist technology has been updated with features such as lane-keeping aid and emergency stop signal, the latter of which automatically turn on the car’s hazard lights in an event of sudden braking.[88][89]
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_X-Line_IMG_6052.jpg)
_X-Line_IMG_6054.jpg)
On 4 July 2023, a second refresh of the JA Kia Picanto/Morning was unveiled in South Korea.[90] This includes new styling changes, safety improvements and new equipment such as LED headlights and a new instrument cluster.[91]
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In January 2013, the Picanto was named most reliable car in the UK, according to data published byMoneysupermarket.com in conjunction withWarranty Direct. Out of a Reliability Index (RI) of 100 (the lower the score, the fewer problems reported by owners), the Picanto achieved a score of 3.00/100.[92]
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The Picanto is an official race car inPoland's Kia Platinum Cup, a racing organization created by Kia Motors Polska andPolish Automobile and Motorcycle Association. The organization started in 2006 as the Kia Picanto Cup before establishing a partnership withGrupa Lotos to form the Kia Lotos Race a year later. Following the 2017 season, the organization was changed to Kia Platinum Cup afterPKN Orlen replaced Grupa Lotos as the title sponsor.[93][94]
The Morning is also an official race car in the Korea Speed Festival.[95]
In 2018, the Kia Picanto GT Cup was established inPortugal by Kia Motors Portugal and CRM Motorsport.[96]
In 2015, a Chinese low-speed electric vehicle manufacturer Yogomo released the Yogomo 330electric car, which is a near-exact copy of the second generation Picanto.[97][98][99]
| Calendar year | South Korea[100] | Europe[101][100] | Colombia | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 58,579 | |||
| 2005 | 85,314 | |||
| 2006 | 76,550 | |||
| 2007 | 60,996 | |||
| 2008 | 39,483 | |||
| 2009 | 55,604 | |||
| 2010 | 101,570 | 46,262 | ||
| 2011 | 117,029 | 51,137 | ||
| 2012 | 94,190 | 58,175 | ||
| 2013 | 93,631 | 50,524 | ||
| 2014 | 96,089 | 51,222 | ||
| 2015 | 88,455 | 54,036 | ||
| 2016 | 75,133 | 54,982 | ||
| 2017 | 70,437 | 62,161 | 3,323[102] | |
| 2018 | 59,042 | 74,526 | 5,394[103] | |
| 2019 | 50,364 | 74,305 | 5,237[104] | |
| 2020 | 38,766 | 49,211 | 5,261[105] | 3,891[106] |
| 2021 | 30,530 | 59,949 | 8,719[107] | 6,591[108] |
| 2022 | 29,380 | 51,962 | 9,975[109] | 5,196[110] |
| 2023 | 25,879 | 68,574 | 5,604[111] | 7,706[112] |
| 2024 | 15,835 | 64,757 | 5,789[113] | 5,822[114] |
The Picanto was Kia's best selling vehicle in Europe from 2004 to 2006, accounting for a third of the brand sales volumes during these years.[115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123]
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