Kia Picanto 2 1.25 Auto 5dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £11,145
Tax Band: D
Insurance Group: 7
MPG: 53.3
CO2: 125
0-62 Mph: 12.9 secs
BHP: 84 BHP
Range: 410 miles
CarSite Verdict:  4/5
The appealing Picanto five-door now with revamped looks and increased space gives you a small car with real practicality. The engine is peppy and performs well, especially in and around city streets, and it won’t baulk when you take it out on the motorway either. The new Picanto has certainly grown up and is loaded with good kit for those looking for a practical yet economical small car.

PROS:  A 1.25-litre engine giving responsive acceleration and flexibility, good level of equipment, practical 5-door access and good space, 7-year Kia warranty for peace of mind.

CONS:  The 1.25-litre engine is not available on cheaper trims, light steering, the automatic gearbox makes it least economical model in the Picanto range.

Behind the Wheel

Getting comfortable and finding the ideal driving position shouldn’t pose any problems as the seats have a good range of adjustments and the steering wheel comes with height adjustment. The seats are supportive. All the switches have a nice solid feel to them, while the controls are clear and simple to use. The plastic used to trim the dash looks durable, but if you upgrade from the basic trim version – the interior gets an upgrade too, which is even better.

The Picanto range offers two petrol engines: the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder which needs to be worked really hard to get the best out of it, and a 1.25-litre, 4-cylinder, 16-valve version as fitted in this model. The 1.25-litre engine is far better and gives responsive acceleration and good average fuel economy of 53.3mpg. Capable of a top speed of 101mph, and producing maximum power of 84bhp and pulling power of 89lb-ft means it holds its own in the small car class.

The car’s size and manoeuvrability means it’s really at home in city traffic. Braking is not as refined as you’d like or find in some of its competitors though. At speed the Picanto has no problem dealing with cornering but the steering is a bit vague and grip is less than you would like.

Looks & Equipment

The new Kia Picanto has a more upmarket look using the same grille as all new Kia cars. The reworked front gives it a slightly more modern and sporty stance on the road.

This Picanto comes reasonably well kitted-out with power steering, steering wheel-mounted controls, central locking, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, alarm, immobiliser, CD+MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth as standard.

Upgrading to the ‘3’ spec will additionally give you: heated front seats, fully automatic air conditioning, an extra two speakers added to the standard CD system and automatic headlights.

Metallic paint is available as an option for £415.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

While the front of the Kia Picanto is extremely comfortable the rear disappoints slightly as the bench type rear seat is not very supportive, although no complaints about leg-room or head-room for rear passengers. The boot gives 200-litres with the seats up and 870-litres when they’re folded down, which is decent for regular shopping or a weekend away.

Anti-lock brakes, EBD and stability control help keep all Picantos under control while the inclusion of six airbags for safety beats some other more expensive cars. Theft deterrents include an engine immobilizer as standard and an alarm comes with high-spec ‘3’ cars.

Euro NCAP rated the Kia Picanto a 4 overall in its crash testing.

Kia and the Picanto in particular, have generally performed well in customer surveys regarding reliability.

Value for Money

Priced at £10,795 - this 1.25-litre 2, 5-door Auto version of the Kia Picanto is up against much more established rivals in its class such as the impressive Ford Fiesta and Fiat 500. However, its fuel economy is good, and 125g/km CO2 emissions (VED band D for Road Tax) and group 7 insurance will keep running costs on a par.

The Picanto is a sensible choice as a new buy as the price is attractive and it has a good level of standard equipment. All new models come with a reassuring seven-year warranty from Kia, so selling it on shouldn’t be a problem either; as the 1.25-litre, 5-door version offers more performance, practicality of 5-doors and more refinement.

Kia Picanto 2 1.25 Auto 5dr Car Review - by 
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