New Kia Picanto comfortably better

KIA’S third generation Picanto city car arrived in the UK last May with bags of style and increased levels of performance and comfort.

Bursting with equipment, more refined and better to drive than the model it replaced it is the company’s most important model after the Sportage.

A considerable improvement over its predecessor, it now offers a more spacious cabin, higher equipment levels and greatly improved technology.

Thankfully the designers retained the car’s cheeky looks but the tigernose grille is now bigger and bolder, the lines cleaner and although the dimensions are just about the same, this model looks bigger and offers more space inside.

Boot space has been boosted to a handy 255-litres and if you collapse the rear seats this increases to 1,010 litres.

Up to four adults can travel in comfort and a tight turning circle makes it ideal for town and city driving where it will spend most of its time.

It is very agile and easy to park but changes to the steering and suspension have also made it easier to enjoy on open roads and motorways where it cruises without stress.

The Picanto is considerably quieter than before thanks to more noise suppression and it handles well and gives you lots of feedback. Torque vectoring control is standard on all versions and the gear change feels more positive and you are rewarded in performance if you make good use of it.

I sampled the Picanto in 3 trim complete with the 1.25-litre engine which is good for 83bhp. The engine has been updated and as a result can hit 107mph and reach 60mph in 11.6 seconds. Make good use of the fivespeed manual gearbox and the little Picanto has no trouble keeping up with other traffic.

The Picanto 3 has a smart interior with impressive equipment levels for a city car. You get alloy wheels, tinted glass, fogs and daytime running lights, electric folding and heated door mirrors with LED indicators as well as automatic headlights and wipers.

Cruise control, air conditioning, a seven-inch touchscreen with sat/nav and music streaming are also included along with a host of other goodies.

The Picanto also features all the latest safety equipment and with range prices starting from under £10,000 it is decent value for money especially when you take in the unmatched seven-year warranty.