Kia Picanto Reviews

Kia Picanto - PIC OF THE PACK?

Will It Suit Me?
There's something delightfully unpretentious about the Kia Picanto. It's not trying to claw its way up the social ladder and nor does it sport a badge that'll have people looking at your car keys and casting aspersions as to what you've done to get them. Instead it's an honest to goodness city car that's simple to drive, costs peanuts to run and which is far from the dull experience that you might expect at this price point. You might well remember the first generation Kia Picanto. It too was a cheap and cheerful thing but it really was basic, both inside and out. While it did a job, it really was just transport. The latest car has a lot more about it and feels a far better quality vehicle. In short, I like it a lot.

Practicalities
There's no doubt that this picanto is a handsome little thing. It's the sister car to Hyundai's i10 but it looks that bit sharper. It features the trademark Kia front grille, but it also exhibits deeply scalloped flanks with the door handles sitting perched on a sharp crease. Available for the first time in both three and five door body styles, the Picanto offers a different look for each body style, the three-door car featuring a more aggressive front end. Both look a little under-wheeled, but that tends to be the nature of city cars in general. Go for the 15-inch alloy wheels and it looks a bit less toy-like. The cabin is cleanly styled and again it's clear that Kia is forging its own personality on its cars. The 'three cylinder' instrument panel design is spread across the Kia range while the centre console brings the air conditioning and stereo controls within easy reach with big, easy to operate buttons. Metallic finishes lift the feel of the fascia and while some of the plastics are a little hard to the touch, the overall effect is an interior that punches well above its price point.