We say The old Picanto is so cheap the negatives don't really matter.Performance The Picantos’ weedy 1.0 and 1.1-litre petrol engines both struggle on the motorway but are good for nipping around the city. Don’t look for a diesel – there isn’t one. There is an autobox, but you should pretend you haven’t noticed it.Emissions 47mpg combined fuel economy and 147g/km CO2 emissions on the better 1.1 petrol. Somehow the autobox manages to cut fuel consumption and emissions on the Picanto.Driving The Picanto offers good grip but there’s lots of body roll and a dubious suspension.Feel The Picanto’s teeny, breathless engines are noisy when revved but cruise OK when they’re up to speed.Space Decent space for passengers. The Picantos’; boot is tiny at 157 litres.Equipment CD player as standard but alloys and aircon at higher specs only.Price The Picanto is very cheap to buy – about as cheap as buying a new car gets – and offers cheap running costs.Quality The little Kia is predictably cheap inside. The engines should be sturdy enough.Safety ABS and two bags as standard on the Picanto entry-level models. 3 NCAP stars is well below par.Pros Cheap across the board.Cons Looks and feels cheap in most repsects.Alternatives Daihatsu Charade, Fiat Panda