The compact champion from the Korean brand has hit the Internet ahead of its official debut later this year. Here’s the 2024 Kia Picanto before you’re supposed to see it.

The Picanto is one of Kia South Africa’s best selling vehicles. Despite its age, it still tallies up good sales numbers every month. In June 2023, 480 Picantos were sold, with the Sonet compact SUV taking 2nd place with 438 units.

Now, Korean Car Blog has shared images of what looks to be the 2024 Kia Picanto. This is one bold design execution and it adopts exterior design elements from other modern Kia vehicles, like the Sportage. Granted, it is a sporty-looking GT-Line derivative, but still, this is one eye-catching car. At the rear, the 2024 Kia Picanto has an aggressive diffuser as well as a horizontal light bar.

It doesn’t happen very often, but the image leak also contained an interior shot of the 2024 Kia Picanto, giving us a good preview of what’s to come. We can spot a completely digital dashboard and a new-look steering wheel. Being a GT-Line derivative, there are supportive sports seats.

The vehicle pictured has a manual transmission and it’s rumoured the engine and gearbox combinations will remain much the same. Korean Car Blog reckons the 1.0 and 1.2 engines will feature mild-hybrid technology to meet strict European requirements.

The current-shape Kia Picanto has been on sale in South Africa since 2016 and this comprehensive update of the exterior design, cabin and technology has been overdue.

2024 Kia Picanto market arrival?

Industry experts reckon the new compact offering from Kia will be revealed in the next two months. We reached out to Kia South Africa for comment: “The Kia Picanto range is and will remain an important model to South Africans. As one of our top sellers we will continue with the natural evolution of the range. Verification of the exact models within the range to be introduced to South Africa during 2024 have not yet been confirmed.”

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