Kia Picanto 1.0

Kia is on the march. Big leaps forward in quality and design mean its cars have become more desirable than ever, and the Picanto is a prime example of this.

It’s the best-looking city runabout the company has produced to date, and proves the Europeans aren’t the only manufacturers that can make affordable yet stylish small cars.

The Picanto rivals the Panda for sheer kerb appeal, and its neat proportions, modern face and sharp rear end make the i10 seem staid in comparison. Our test car came in 2 trim, which features body-colour mirrors, 14-inch alloy wheels and daytime running lights, but the chrome door handles won’t be to all tastes.

Everyone will like the modern, high-quality cabin, however. Kia has the edge over Fiat and Hyundai for first-rate materials. The dash design is simple and modern, while the seat is height-adjustable as standard, meaning you can easily find a comfortable driving position.

Other standard equipment includes electric windows all round, a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, electrically adjustable mirrors and USB/MP3 ports. Better still, the Picanto has the longest wheelbase of the trio, which gives it more legroom than the Panda, although the 200-litre boot is 25 litres smaller than both of its rivals’.

Arguably the biggest compromise when choosing the Kia is under the bonnet. Unless you want to spend more than £10,000, you have to go for the three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol.

But the thrummy soundtrack and noticeable vibrations make this engine a less than ideal choice. And even though the Picanto’s 68bhp output is similar to the Panda’s, the Kia has 7Nm less torque, at 95Nm, so its in-gear response is sluggish.

There’s also an irritating hum from the engine on the motorway, and you need to plan ahead if you want to overtake or accelerate on a gradient.

The Picanto doesn’t change direction as sharply as the Fiat, either, while the steering is artificially weighted either side of the straight ahead. There’s more body roll than in the Panda, yet the ride is surprisingly stiff. The Kia handles predictably overall, though, and it’s the only one of the trio here with standard electronic stability control.

The car’s five-speed manual gearbox has a light and accurate shift action, but the brakes suffer from too much servo assistance and an overly sensitive response when you touch the pedal. The ABS also triggers very easily, although the Kia recorded the shortest stopping distances of our trio.

Still, the high cabin quality, generous kit and attractive styling count in the Picanto’s favour, especially when you consider Kia’s great seven-year warranty and fixed-price servicing. Plus, there’s £500 off if you buy before 31 March, so the figures really add up.

Details

Chart position: 3
WHY: The smartly styled Kia Picanto is a classy choice, but if you want to spend less than £10,000, your only engine choice is the 1.0-litre petrol.