It takes something pretty special nowadays to stand out in the city car segment, especially with cars like the Hyundai i10 and VW Up taking centre stage, alongside a host of other competitors including the Skoda Citigo and Peugeot 108. But what about the Hyundai i10’s sibling car, the Kia Picanto? Launched back in 2004, it first started to gain popularity as part of the scrappage scheme. This was boosted further in 2011, when the second-generation Picanto arrived, showcasing Kia’s tiger-nose front-end at the hand of famed designer Peter Schreyer. Performance 3.5/5 The 1.25-litre four-cylinder petrol that we tested is the most powerful option in the Picanto range, producing 84bhp. Although still a relatively small unit, the 1.25-litre delivers a decent thrust when you put your foot down with 121Nm of torque on offer, taking 11 seconds to reach the 60mph mark. This is almost identical to the i10’s equivalent 1.2-litre petrol, which hits 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds. The Up, although only available with a 1.0-litre petrol, achieves this in 14.4 seconds. Ride and handling 4.0/5 The Picanto is not far off the i10 in this category, offering a good amount of front-end grip and only a hint of body roll. Its light steering, obviously an advantage in the city, is surprisingly adept on country roads as well, thanks to a competent suspension. Long journeys are not a problem either, with motorway cruising proving an easy and comfortable task, with minimal road noise. At higher speeds, it feels more stable than you’d expect; the only thing that feels lacking is another gear. Talking of gears, the gearbox is incredibly smooth, even when you want to upshift quickly. Equipment 4.0/5 The ‘3’ trim level sits more or less in the middle of the four available trims with a fair amount of kit. For the £11,445 price tag you’ll find Bluetooth, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and heated front seats. One thing to bear in mind - if you’re going for the entry level ‘1’ model, you will have to upgrade to the ‘1 Air’ trim if you want air conditioning. On the five-door model, this costs an additional £500. Build quality is decent, so while there’s clearly some cheap plastics knocking around, the comfortable seats and structured layout of the instrument panel will leave a lasting – and better –impression. Practicality 3.5/5 The Picanto’s boot hovers in-between its rivals with 200 litres – offering more space than the Peugeot 108 but less space than the Hyundai i10. Although just 52 litres smaller than the i10, it’s a noticeable difference when filling the boot with shopping. Its max storage space of 605 litres with the seats down is a fair bit behind its rivals as well, being 346 litres smaller than the Up and 441 litres smaller than the i10. Interior leg and head room on the other hand is impressive, especially when it comes to leg room in the rear. Running Costs 3.5/5 The 1.25-litre petrol unit emits 109g/km and returns an average of around 60mpg - not the most economical option in the range, with the 1.0-litre 68bhp derivative emitting just 99g/km. The added power you receive from the 1.25-litre unit will result in you having to pay road tax as the CO2 figure does not duck the 100g/km mark. Although still impressive at 99g/km, there are plenty of city cars that trump the Picanto’s lowest CO2 figure, including the SEAT Mii at 95g/km and the Peugeot 108 at 88g/km. Verdict 4.0/5 There’s no denying that the mean-looking tiger-nose design has done wonders for the Kia brand, especially for the little Picanto and its task of alluring young buyers. The Picanto manages to hold its own, differentiating itself from samey models like the VW Up, Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii, with its unique look being a clear asset as well as driving credentials that give the i10 a run for its money. Practicality in the Picanto, however, is just not as flexible as many of its rivals – especially the i10. But, if you are on a strict budget, the Picanto’s low starting price of £7,795 - £700 cheaper than the i10 - may persuade you that this car is for you.
Our Rating
