The Kia Picanto 2 is a corking little runaround which has more looks and tech than the original for not a lot more money
HERE’S a car worth its weight in choccy biscuits.
Well, almost.
Kia’s Picanto costs 1.1p per gram of goodness, whereas a McVitie’s Penguin is 1p per gram, depending on where you do your shopping.
P-p-p-pick up a Picanto.
Turns out many of you do.
The corking little runaround has gone down a treat with 260,000 buyers in 20 years and now there’s an even tastier version in a shiny new wrapper.
More looks and tech, for not a lot more money.
The cheapest Picanto 2, at £15,595, comes loaded with twin screens, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, satnav and all sorts of driver-assistance kit.
Some of the driver- assistance tech is useful.
Some isn’t.
But it’s been added to satisfy European safety regulations.
At least the annoying lane-keep assist which tugs at the wheel is easily switched off.
Squishy elbow pads
Other things that please: Two ISOFIX fixings for child seats.
Split-folding rear seats for your golf bats.
Chunky air-con dials.
Big drink holders.
Manual handbrake.
Turn-key start. I’m serious.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve pressed the ON/OFF starter button hopping out of a moden car only to find the dashboard is still lit up.
You know where you are with a key.
If it fits your life, you’ll like Picanto.
Cool enough to cut it with the yoofs with those star-map front lights, inspired by Kia’s big-daddy EV9.
Sophisticated enough for Grandad in his elastic-waisted trousers.
He’ll like the squishy elbow pads and chunky foot rest.
Picanto is a titchy 3.6 metres long and 1.6 metres wide, making it a doddle to bomb around town in and to park.
On a dual-carriageway, it feels composed and assured.
We averaged 45mpg from the 1-litre naturally-aspirated petrol over 160-odd miles — without even trying to be good.
It’s fun.
The rev counter glows purple when you bury your foot in the carpet.
But it’s no cafe racer.
For a bit more zip, you’ll want the 1.2-litre petrol, coming soon.
Both engines have the option of a manual gearbox or auto.
Kia has crunched the numbers to ensure Picanto is cheaper than a Toyota Aygo X, Fiat 500, Suzuki Ignis and even its half-sister, Hyundai’s i10.
Only Dacia really undercuts Picanto with Sandero and Spring but they don’t come choc-full of standard kit or with Kia’s famous seven-year warranty.
The Koreans are heading in to the second half of the decade with a mix of electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel cars, all class-leading or near class-leading.
The do-it-all Sportage is Britain’s second favourite car.
Picanto may be the smallest and cheapest but has all the stuff we need.
Finance from £195 a month over three years.
That’s £6.96 a day . . . or 28 chocolate Penguins.
KEY FACTS: KIA PICANTO 2
Price: £15,595
Engine: 1-litre petrol
Economy: 54mpg
0-62mph: 15.4 secs
Power: 62hp
Top speed: 90mph
CO2: 116g/km
Out: Now