USED Kia Picanto Hatchback (04 - 11)

My car

I have now owned my Picanto Glamour 1.1 for four months. During this time I have experienced various Peugeot models that have been loaned to me as courtesy vehicles.

My difficulties started on the day of collection, when on arriving home the oil warning light illuminated when ticking over. This was diagnosed as a sensor failure, which was then upgraded to an oil pump fault.

With a new pump fitted the engine management system would not reset and the car stayed in the dealership for the next 58 days while a new engine was be fitted. Subsequent oil leaks have resulted in the driveshaft oil seal being replaced and this was followed the week after by the engine having to be removed so a new gearbox seal could be fitted.

So far my vehicle has spent 63 days in the garage. Calls to Kia and to the dealer have gone unanswered or have been unhelpful. I have been offered a refund (and not a replacement) but this is disappointing as I sold a perfectly adequate and reliable Yaris at a reduced price in order to take advantage of the keen price offered on the Glamour. A replacement would now cost significantly more.

My car

This car offers superb specification for the money. It drives well and feels like a much bigger car. It has good build quality with an inoffensive interior.

The boot is small, but we knew that when we bought it. I hope we never have to use the tyre inflation system.

THe car represents a good all-round package if space isn't a prime concern, although four adults can be accommodated in reasonable comfort. The automatic gearbox is excellent for easy town driving, but a lot of short journeys will have an impact on fuel economy. Over 2900 miles we have a low of 29mpg and a high of 45mpg. The overall average since new is 36mpg.

The car is a good drive, even on motorways where it had little problem keeping up with the flow in the outside lane! Sometimes, though, you get the impression the engine is racing ahead of the acceleration involved.

It is impressively equipped and feels comfortable, no matter which of the seats you occupy. The all-round disc brakes could surprise new owners as they are particularly effective (which is reassuring), but you soon get used to giving a light touch on the brake pedal.

We have no regrets at all in our decision to buy. One year's free insurance was a bonus, too!

My car

I have just completed a six week contract where the car we drove for some 3000 miles was a Picanto. Over a good mixture of town and motorway driving, I was pleasantly surprised at the car's versatility.

I am 6ft 2in tall, but could nearly get myself comfortable even though the seats are a little flimsy.

The engine was noisy but eager enough. I would imagine as a second town car this is a good buy.

My car

Having purchased this car two months ago, with the belief that I would be saving money on running costs (having previously run a 2.0-litre car), I am bitterly disappointed with this vehicle.

Don't get me wrong; it has a lot of high specification features including an MP3 player, ABS and EBS braking, however it just leaves me cold on the amount of fuel it seems to consume. I have the 1.0GS model, and at £4995 I thought I had bagged myself a little bargain.

I cover 90 miles a day getting to work and back but the Picanto just can't seem to cut it. It's not so much the unsteady ride once I reach 70mph, it's more that I find myself watching the fuel gauge dive towards its resting place on empty. In fact, the fuel gauge does seem to out-perform the car on the motorway!

At 70mph, the rev counter (another standard item on the entry model) fluctuates between the high 3000s to almost 4,000 revs. Again, in its defence (and had I read some more reviews and done my homework) I would have concluded it was not the car for me, and perhaps a diesel would have been a more suitable purchase.

However all in all the car is a good little runner and value for money, but do not consider it for motorway miles or long daily journeys - it would simply not be economical.