Insurance Group: 10
MPG: 60.1
CO2: 109
0-62 Mph: N/A secs
BHP: 84 BHP
Range: 463 miles
PROS: The 1.25-litre engine gives the Equinox good acceleration, making it a lively drive for a car of its class. The level of standard equipment is good and the Picanto is a good-looking car.
CONS: The cheaper Picantos make more financial sense and, at this price, many buyers are going to be tempted by the European opposition.
The 1.25-litre engine in this model is much better than the 1.0-litre engine, providing lively acceleration - although you need to use plenty of revs to get it. You'll get from 0-62 mph in 11 seconds and on to a top speed of 106 mph. With 84bhp and 89lb-ft of torque, the engine feels willing and the Equinox feels nippy.
This car was made for urban action, so as a result it has a great turning circle. Unfortunately the brakes are a bit over-sensitive and the clutch can be clunky, making even the most experienced driver look like a learner to begin with.
The Equinox, like all Picantos, is fairly hopeless in the handling department. The steering is limp and lifeless and the suspension makes a meal out of even the smoothest roads.
The engine can be a bit noisy when worked hard but overall refinement is fairly good.
The painted front and rear bumpers and metallic paint give the Equinox a bold, chunky style and a more upmarket appearance. The optional LED headlights and tail lamps add extra luxury to the budget car.
The interior is well designed and attractive, but since this is still a budget car, the finishes are scratchy.
Equipment wise you get: automatic air conditioning with fully automated climate control and one climate control zone, remote central locking, body-coloured power door mirrors (heated with integrated indicator lights), electric front windows, power steering and heated leather covered multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment.
You also get some good in car entertainment kit, such as: an audio system with CD player that reads MP3 CDs, a radio which receives AM/FM and RDS, six speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity.
There is ample leg and headroom up front but in the back legroom is tight. The seats in the back also provide little support.
The boot holds 200 litres and with the seats folded down you get 870 litres. A wide tailgate and low boot opening make loading simple. There is also a good sized glove box and lots of useful cubby holes elsewhere in the cabin.
The Kia comes with a 7 year/100,000 mile warranty and previous models of Kia have been very reliable, so there shouldn’t be any problems with this model.
Safety kit wise you get plenty for your money: ABS, electronic traction control, brake assist system, four disc brakes including two ventilated discs, drivers airbag, passengers airbag with de-activation switch, height adjustable seat belt with pre-tensioners on driver’s seat and front passenger seat, two head restraints on front seats with height adjustment, three head restraints on rear seats with height adjustment, Isofix preparation, front and rear side curtain airbags, front side airbag, stability control system, and hill holder.
The 1.25 Equinox gives 60.1mpg on the combined cycle and emits only 109g/km of CO2, so running costs should be very low. On top of that the insurance will also be very cheap.
However, the £11,695 price tag is simply too high for a Picanto. For this sort of money you could get a Fiesta or a Polo and these are much better cars.
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