Kia Picanto 1.25 Halo EcoDynamics 3dr Car Review - February 2012

The 1.25 litre engine delivers some surprising acceleration figures, and can go from 0-62mph in a good 11 seconds. The top speed of 106mph may seem a little slow, but this isn't a car that is designed for motorway driving, rather it is small and nippy and ideal for the city. Parking is a simple task in such a small car, and the light steering means that it is comfortable enough.

The handling of the Picanto is fine when travelling, and the cornering is not bad without delivering too much body roll. However, the steering is very short on feedback and the grip is not always reliable. The firm suspension also means that riding in the Picanto can get quite bumpy, especially on poor roads.

The looks of the Picanto are unremarkable when it comes to the competition, although the bubbly headlights and the large air intake below the grille do give the car a nice look. The back end is quite tidy, and the boot door is quite large compared to the competition such as the Toyota Aygo, meaning better access. It is also nice to see that metallic paint and alloy wheels are included as standard with this model, which certainly improves the overall look of the Picanto.

The inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity is a pleasant addition to this small car, and features such as heated seats and power folding mirrors are surprising to be found on such a small car. There is also a competent stereo which has controls mounted on the steering wheel for convenience, and air conditioning too.

In terms of the practicality, it really does depend on the use of the car. For those who are going to be commuting into the city, and looking to squeeze into the smallest parking spaces, then the Picanto is a very good option to consider. However, the small stature and lack of space in the back of the car does mean that it isn't going to be practical to be used as a family car.

The Picanto has been awarded four stars by the Euro NCAP safety tests, which is below average for modern cars released over the past few years. However, it does come loaded with six airbags, and also has driving aids such as ESP, ABS and traction control to help keep the Picanto on the road. The Kia brand has been developing a reputation for reliable and efficient cars, and the exceptional warranty package does demonstrate the company's confidence in their cars.

There is no doubt that the Kia Picanto as a range is aiming for the budget small car market, but this particular version is at the top of the range available with a manual gearbox, and the list price of £11,695 is quite significant. However, for this money there are a fair number of extras that are included on top of the most basic equipment.

One impressive area of the Picanto's performance is in the fuel consumption figures for the vehicle, and the 1.25 litre engine can deliver an impressive average 65.7mpg. The low insurance group for the Picanto means that it will be cheap to insure, even for younger drivers, and the depreciation is quite reasonable too. Finally, the seven year warranty is a market leading offer that shows the confidence the company has in the reliability, and is also boosted by one year's roadside breakdown assistance.