Kia will soon be set to present a second (and final) facelift for its current Picanto model, which was first introduced in 2017.
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It was reported about a year ago that the Korean manufacturer would soon unveil an electric replacement model. However, it seems that the transition to electric in the mini category is more challenging than expected, due to the need to maintain modest dimensions and a low price, two features that are less associated with electric propulsion systems. In other words, the model's lifespan is expected to end within approximately two to three years.
According to leaked photos that surfaced online and were published on the Korean website Autospy, the lighting units of the Kia Picanto have been redesigned both in the front and rear (including a wide light strip on the cargo door).
The bumpers have also undergone changes. The driver's setting remains similar, with a significant change being the addition of a requested digital instrument cluster, which can be found in its sister model, the Hyundai i10, and is considered cheaper to produce than an analog cluster.
Beyond the exterior changes, there is no additional information available at this time. It can be assumed that the Picanto will continue to use internal combustion engine-based propulsion systems. However, there may be some specific changes toward the implementation of the Euro 7 pollution regulations, which will come into effect in 2025.
According to the new regulations, there will be stricter limits on the size of emitted pollutants particles, and the durability level of the components in the pollution regulations is required to be doubled compared to nowadays (200,000 km or 10 years, compared to 100,000 km or 5 years).
Non-compliance with the targets will result in penalties for each Picanto produced - a payment that is expected to increase the cost of the vehicle and make it economically unviable to produce.