First drive: face-lifted Kia Picanto

30 October 2007

Face-lifted car on sale from next month
Most changes cosmetic
Models cost from £5995

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Since its launch in mid-2004, Kia has sold 38,000 Picantos. That made it the best-selling model in Kia's range until the much-vaunted Cee'd arrived this year.

Eager to build on that success, the Picanto has had a mid-life face-lift, and these new-look cars will be rolled out from November 2007, with the entire refreshed range on sale from January 2008.

What's new?
Changes are purely cosmetic, although there is some new metal on the car - namely the bonnet and front wings, which now accommodate a Cee'd-style radiator grille and headlights.

There are also new front and rear bumpers which add 40mm in length to the car, and restyled lamp clusters to give it a more modern look.

Inside, the drab grey dash has been replaced by an all-black display that keeps simplicity at its core, and there's a new style of steering wheel, although it still feels slippery and cheap to touch.

The instruments are backlit in orange, in keeping with the styling of the Cee'd, and there's a wider range of exterior colours available.

What will it cost?
No matter how dramatic the changes, the Picanto's biggest selling point will always remain its price.

The basic 1.0-litre Picanto stays at £5995, with the most expensive 1.1-litre Picanto 3, which boasts additions such as electrically operated and heated door mirrors, 15-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps and rear electric windows, weighing in at £7995.

However, the range has been extended from three to six models, giving buyers more choice. Trim levels have been renamed as Picanto, Picanto 2, Picanto Ice and Picanto 3.

What's it like to drive?
It's much like the old Picanto, although that shouldn't be a surprise as there's been no development work on the ride or handling and the engine line-up remains the same.

Happily, the Picanto has always been a competent car on the road, going about its way in a fuss-free manner.

The body still leans if driven eagerly, and the ride is too firm, transferring road bumps into the cabin.

The 1.0-litre and 1.1-litre engines have 62bhp and 67bhp respectively. As a result, neither will blow you away, but performance is always adequate.

Engine noise isn't overly intrusive, either, even if you do decide to rev it hard. Road noise, however, can intrude on particularly bumpy surfaces.

Bizarre fact
Kia is actually hoping to sell fewer Picantos in 2008 than it has in 2007.

Why?

Well, because part of Kia's growth strategy is to reduce fleet sales, thereby boosting the resale values of its cars and convincing private buyers that their cars are more than just cheap.

Conclusion
The face-lifted Picanto does look fresher on the outside and classier on the inside, although there's no getting away from the fact that it is a bargain-basement car.

That said, given the price, it continues to perform admirably, particularly since it is most likely to be used as a city runabout and only occasionally taken onto A-roads and motorways.

Kia has stuck doggedly to making five-door Picantos only, rather than bowing to pressure for a three-door model, and the space and access this provides meets the target audience's needs.