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“We looked around at several car manufacturers before...”

written by BirminghamUKCom on 16/12/2005

Good Points
The Kia Picanto - The thinking person's small car. Coming in at £6000, less than the Ford Ka with extras, this economical little number packs an impressive list of goodies.

The Picanto is a five door hatchback. The build quality is better than all the other small cars we looked at. When you shut the doors it has that big car feel rather than metallic clanging. The car is roomy. This car is definately big on space. A CD player with MP3 is included, along with front electric windows and power steering. This car has metallic paint thrown in, leather steering wheel and gear knob, alloy wheels, central locking and air conditioning. Air conditioning godammit on a small car like this? Air bags are fitted as standard. The Picanto has side impact protection bars and ABS braking. This car has one of the lowest small car co2 emissions. This car comes with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty and a 3 year roadside assistance package.

Bad Points
You have to pay extra for a spare wheel and tyre. How weird is that? They supply you with a self fix emergency repair puncture kit but its messy and woe betide anyone who gets it on their clothes.

The car is certainly not a high performer. Adequate for around town it is a bit sluggish on main roads and certainly motorways.

General Comments
We looked around at several car manufacturers before settling on the Picanto. All in all the extras included and the build quality of this car put it ahead of most of the competition.



Our car is new. Time will tell how it fares on service costs and durability. I would also question its second hand retail value in a few years time.



The petrol economy claimed by Kia is certainly for our model incorrect. I have found it to be thirstier than our previous car a 1.3 Ford Ka.



Chic, comfortable and excellent value for money this is a good town car.