Not bad at all, Kia (Kia Picanto)

Member Name: JeremyC

Product:	Kia Picanto
Date:	13/12/05 (1476 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Equipment, value, hard wearing plastics, good engine, roomy

Disadvantages: Fuel economy not quite as good as claimed, residuals questionable, gearbox.

First, that grille. Perhaps Kia had to do something to stop their Picanto looking exactly like a Ford Fiesta up front but frankly it hasn't grown on me and those who've seen my car agree unanimously that it spoils the car's appearance. Second, lets explode that fuel economy myth. Kia's own figures suggest that Picanto owners can expect 50mpg - 60 mpg+. Well I've had mine for over a year now and I reckon 38 - 44mpg in urban conditions (depending on whether one's right foot is loaded with lead) is more accurate, with 50 mpg just about possible on a motorway run. That's good, but not quite what potential buyers might have been expecting after having read the sales brochure. To be honest, the comparatively free revving nature of the engine might be half the problem here. The noise it makes might be washing machine bland but it isn't a coarse unit and mine loosened up noticeably after 5,000 miles.

Unfortunately the gearchange remains a problem. For the most part it's fine and I don't mind the relatively long throw but mine doesn't like changing up to, or down to, second gear.

Refinement levels seem better than the other cars I test drove before buying. Certainly the ride is more comfortable and seems less affected by poor road surfaces than the Seat Arosa / VW Lupo, although the front seats in the Volkswagen seemed a cut above those of the Kia. For short journeys the Kia's are fine though and they haven't caused any discomfort. Then there's the brakes, which are fabulous.

Handling isn't bad at all, although tight corners do cause the body to lean somewhat and those in a hurry will find that understeer sets in quite early, adding to their frustration.

Interior quality is actually quite high and the SE comes with pretty much everything, including a pretty good air con system. The leather steering wheel on my SE is a comfortable size, the driving position is fine (even on longer journeys). Everything still works after the first year and the plastics resist marks well and are easy to wipe clean, although the cheap trim on the doors does lower the tone a bit and the speakers fitted to my car sound as though they've been sourced from a paper plate maker. That's a shame because the stereo is actually quite reasonable.

With the rear seats folded the boot space is really impressive, although it's only just adequate with the seats up.

If I was buying a second city car now I'd readily give the Kia another look, although the Toyota Aygo and the VW Fox might cause me to think again. And watch out for residuals. A lady I work with has just sold her 11 month old 1.1SE to raise a house deposit. She claims she got only £3700 from a main dealer

Summary: It's not easy to find a better city car but it's not perfect either.

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