Kia Picanto revised for 2015 - full details

The new Kia Picanto city car is now on sale, following its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, priced from £8,345.

A host of changes have been made to the Korean supermini, including revised styling and specification updates. Kia is also boasting that all Picanto trim levels now have more standard equipment than before.

The Picanto is the smallest model in Kia’s range and goes up against the likes of the Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo and Toyota Aygo in a fiercely competitive class. The starting price is exactly the same as for a Peugeot 108 or Citroen C1, so the revised Picanto needs to stand out.

Kia has redesigned the Picanto to do just that: a new front and rear end keep the car looking fresh, while new alloy wheel designs also make an appearance.

Two petrol engines will be available at launch. The 1.0-litre produces 68bhp and achieves a fuel-economy figure of 67.3mpg. The smallest engine also emits 99g/km of CO2, so you pay no road tax. The more powerful 1.25-litre produces a healthier 84bhp, but the fuel economy falls to 62.8mpg when it’s paired with a manual gearbox. With automatic transmission, fuel economy can drop to around 50mpg, depending on the exact trim level.

Kia promises that engines compliant with the latest EU emissions standards will be available in the revised Picanto from autumn this year. In the meantime, the Picanto can also be specified with Kia’s ISH stop-start system to further reduce emissions and improve economy.

The entry-level Picanto 1 will be priced from £8,345 for the three-door version. For that, the supermini comes with front electric windows, tinted glass and a CD player with MP3 capability. Go for the 1 Air and, as the name suggests, air-conditioning is thrown in, too.

The Picanto’s trim levels also include the SR7. The equipment list for this model stretches to 14-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, steering wheel-mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity. Kia says the SR7 version offers “an exceptional level of equipment with the frugality of the 1.0-litre petrol”.

The most expensive trim level, the 4, starts from £12,295. It crams in cruise control, keyless entry and a heated steering wheel.

The revised supermini is sold with the brand’s popular seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which is transferable to another owner if you sell the car. The facelifted model is on sale now.