Kia Picanto hatchback review

It may be difficult to imagine now, but Kia was a relatively unknown brand when the first Picanto was launched in 2004. However, it was good enough for much longer-established carmakers to sit up and take notice, and now the latest generation of the Kia Picanto is a genuinely world-class city car with an impressive warranty.

Keenly priced, well built and reliable, it offers much to tease buyers away from rivals such as the Hyundai i10, MG3, Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo. It's more practical and cheaper to buy than the electrified versions of the Skoda Citigo e iV and SEAT Mii electric, and the petrol-powered Volkswagen up! as well.

Top 10 best city cars 2021

Today's city-car class is more fiercely contested than ever and Kia has kept the Picanto relevant by paying attention to what buyers want. This is immediately obvious when you look at it – the latest Picanto has a far more individual look than its predecessor. It incorporates the brand's distinctive 'tiger nose' style, while it's angled headlamps carry more than a hint of visual aggression. It's bound to appeal to a wide audience, especially with sporty GT-Line and rugged-looking X-Line versions, taking its inspiration from SUVs like the Kia Sportage and Kia Stonic, with chunkier bumpers, raised suspension and dashes of bright colour inside and out.

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Don't expect a junior hot-hatch or off-roader, though – the GT-Line and GT-Line S models are more about exuberant looks than tyre-shredding performance and, unlike some versions of the Suzuki Ignis, the Picanto X-Line versions don't feature four-wheel-drive. However, the Picanto's engine range is more than sufficient for urban use, where even the 66bhp 1.0-litre entry-level engine has no trouble keeping up with traffic. For 2021, Kia has discontinued the 1.25-litre petrol engine that offered greater flexibility for longer journeys, so the only alternative engine is the punchy turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDi unit. It produces 99bhp and is the most powerful engine available in the Picanto. There’s no electric or hybrid version of the Picanto either, in spite of Kia’s success in the EV sector with cars like the Soul and e-Niro.

Whichever engine you choose, you'll find the Picanto an easy car to drive around town where its compact size and accurate steering make it agile on crowded roads. These virtues are equally relevant on excursions to the countryside, too – even seasoned driving enthusiasts will find pleasure in taking the Picanto through a sequence of challenging corners, thanks to its impressive grip and well controlled body. It’s just a shame the 16-inch wheels and the taller suspension of the X-Line models make the ride rather unsettled.

Addressing criticism levelled at previous models, Kia has ensured that the latest Picanto can compete with European rivals for quality feel. The dashboard and doors are nicely finished, and the materials are pleasant to touch. There's a lively, upbeat look to the interior, too, which can be extended with the personalisation options found in the brochure.

While the entry-level model is undeniably attractively priced, we feel that some of the higher trim levels are so much more enjoyable to live with due to the extra creature comforts. The eight-inch infotainment system – standard in 3 cars and above – is particularly impressive with its Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The 3 also offers power-folding mirrors, parking sensors and cruise control, features that many find difficult to live without. The next model down – the 2 – has fewer niceties, but its standard air-conditioning, steering wheel audio controls and Forward Collision Avoidance make it easy to recommend over the more basic entry-level 1 trim.

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With generous proportions, the Picanto is one of the more accommodating city cars on the market and it aligns well with busy family life. All models have five doors and there are seats for five inside. It's not especially wide, so three adults may be a little cramped in the rear, but three children of varying ages will be content back there. The boot is sizeable, too, putting 255 litres of load space at your disposal – not much less space than you'll find in some superminis from the class above.

Rounding the Picanto package off is a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which can be transferred to a new owner when the car is sold. The Kia Picanto came an impressive 29th overall out of 75 cars in our 2020 Driver Power survey, with just 11.1% of owners reporting an issue in the first year. Only a slightly disappointing four-star Euro NCAP safety rating blots the Picanto’s copybook, although its individual category scores were far from disastrous.

More than ever before, the latest Picanto mounts a serious challenge in the city-car class, with models to suit all budget and the extra pizzazz of GT-Line or X-Line trims if you want it. Some rivals have a little more flair, but the Picanto is a very competent, enjoyable and comfortable small car.