Kia Picanto (2011) review
by Richard Dredge (23 May 2011)
When the first Picanto arrived back in 2004 it changed buyers' perceptions of Kia. After a succession of worthy but dull models, this Korean outfit changed up several gears in one go and ushered in a new era of cars that people wanted to buy – and not just because they were cheap.
In the intervening seven years Kia has gone from strength to strength, with a product range that just keeps getting better, although they're no longer the bargain-basement cars they once were. Gone are the low-rent interior plastics, anonymous exterior lines and lacklustre powertrains, to be replaced by stylish designs inside and out, plus accomplished engines, transmissions and suspension designs.
So it won't come as any surprise to learn that the new Korean-built Picanto is really rather good. It looks far more grown-up than before, feels much more substantially built and is safer while also being much more highly equipped. Never a fan of marketing puff, I tend to avoid it at all costs, but Kia's slogan for its new baby is "the small car, grown up", and it's a pretty good summary of what the new Picanto is all about – this doesn't feel like one of the smallest cars on the road.
Buyers can choose between 68bhp one-litre or 84bhp 1.25-litre powerplants, with three and four cylinders respectively. Both engines are new, and offer more power plus better performance than before, yet they're also more frugal and hence cleaner. The 1.0 Picanto is rated at 67.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2 while the 1.25's figures are 60.1mpg and 109g/km. Equivalent auto figures are 53.3mpg and 125g/km while the EcoDynamics edition offers 65.7mpg and 100g/km.
The volume seller is expected to be the 1.25 in mid-range trim level 2, priced at £10,195, which is why Kia gave us one to try as our introduction to the new model. In short, if you're having to downsize from something a size or two up, you won't feel shortchanged if you have to live with one of these as a daily driver.
Predictably, you won't need a G-suit to explore the outer limits of the Picanto's performance; even the bigger engine gives 0-62 in eleven seconds, while the 1.0 adds 2.9 seconds to this. Top speeds are 106mph against just 95mph, but it's the way the car delivers this relatively meagre performance that impresses.
The gearchange is sweet, the steering sharp and well-weighted while the ride is impressive – and especially so for such a tiddler. The brakes are reassuring, the switchgear feels like it'll last and the seats decently comfortable, if not particularly supportive. You'll search in vain for painted metal in the cabin and the plastics used don't feel cheap, while the fit and finish are both excellent.
Unsurprisingly, cabin space is at something of a premium; there's ample room up front for six-footers, but if you've got some lanky porkers to carry in the back as well, you'll be struggling. The boot is pretty tiny too, at just 270 litres, but compared with rivals it's nothing that Kia should be fretting about. Besides, drop the back seats (simplicity itself) and you've got an 870-litre load bay at your disposal.
The really good news is that you can still buy a Picanto for a fiver under eight grand. It'll have a one-litre engine and come in entry-level trim, but this still includes ESP, front, side and curtain airbags, a split-folding rear seat, electric front windows and a reasonable CD/tuner, plus air-conditioning for the otherwise identical £8595 1 Air which will join the range in September. The driver's seat adjusts for height but the steering wheel adjusts for rake only, not reach.
Splash out on a Picanto 2 and Kia will throw in Bluetooth with voice activation, electric rear windows, air-conditioning, 14" alloy wheels, USB and aux ports plus a multifunction steering wheel. The 3 adds LED rear lights, automatic headlights, 15" alloys, climate control, LED daytime running lights and extra speakers.
Refreshingly, Kia let us loose in one of these entry-level cars, and even though it's slower than the 1.25-litre model, it's still great to drive. The steering and suspension set-ups are the same regardless of engine, and refinment levels are excellent too across the range. The smaller engine has more of a thrum because its cylinder count is down by one – but that just increases the grin factor.
Buy a one-litre car and you'll have to settle for trim levels 1, 1 Air or 2; go for the 1.25 and it's either trim 2 or 3. However, go for this bigger engine in mid-range 2 trim and there's a choice of either a five-speed manual with EcoDynamics technology, which includes stop & start, or a four-speed automatic for an exrea £600.
There are no plans for a diesel model, but there is a three-door Picanto on the horizon; expect it to be in dealerships by August. Once the range is up to full strength Kia plans to seize on 10% of city car sales – a target that doesn't seem especially ambitious. There currently isn't a better city car available in the UK, so attracting buyers is unlikely to prove a problem. The hurdle will surely be getting enough Picantos into dealerships to keep the queues at bay.
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