Category: City Cars 
Price Range: £5,995 to £7,995
Inexpensive, 1.0-litre's running costs.
1.1-litre exceeds 120g/km of CO2, tiny boot, poor ride.
Cheap, unassuming way of getting from A to B, but there are better, more-rounded city cars out there.
In the city its fine: it feels light and easy to drive, although the clutch pedal is numb and gives little indication of its operation, and the gear change feels vague.
The 64bhp 1.1-litre, unlike some of its rivals, has four cylinders rather than the expected three. Strangely, we missed the eagerness of the triple layout after a drive in the Picanto. The 1.1 feels a little lacklustre and reluctant to rev, the maximum power produced at 5,500rpm, a rev peak you'll become all too familiar with if you're to keep up with fast-moving traffic.
Kia claims the Picanto completes the 0-62mph dash in 15.1 seconds a figure that's about par for the segment, as is the Kia's 96mph top speed. Commendably, the Kia will cruise steadily at motorway speeds, but inclines usually prove too much for the little Kia, requiring a snappy swap from fifth to fourth.
Away from urban life and out on the open road, press on and the Kia excites, but for all the wrong reasons - lack of grip being the main one. It's not dangerous, but the tiny 14" wheels fitted all too easily lose their purchase, particularly at the front end. Handling remains safe when lifting off, which helps tightens the line and regain the Kia's composure.
