Kia Picanto

Kia and Hyundai are in a deadly battle to lead the charge of Korean cars into Western markets. Kias latest soldier is the Picanto.

Kia reckons the 1 litre engine will be the best seller so I'll look at that.  It produces 68bhp which allows it to hit 60 in 14.4 seconds, an aweful long time then and the top speed is 95mph. The reason for that is because it's a city car. This isn't meant to be quick in the same way in the same way a Ferrari isn't meant to be slow. As such it serves its purpose but doesn't surpass it.

The handling is also set up for comfort rather than fun. The steering is light and vague and the thing understeers when you're trying to have fun. It is comfy however, that cannot be disputed. It's refreshing to know that this car knows what it wants to be I suppose.

Something that I do think works is the styling. It's actually quite a good looking machine. I can't really explain why but I'm liking the crease that runs all the way down the side of the vechicle, thanks Chris Bangle, your time at BMW is still affecting car design today. The front isn't bad either and adopts a wedge like shape.

The interior is OK. I think the steering wheel looks a little bit wrong if I'm honest but  the rest is decent. There are certainly enough buttons to have fun finding the function with and it's not badly laid out either. It is a city car however and you do get city car materials. It doesn't feel strong, if you know what I mean.

It costs as near as makes no difference £8,000 which isn't bad for what it is. There are cheaper cars out there that'll tackle the city infinitely better than this will and to be honest the Kia doesn't do anything to actually recommend it to anyone. It's one of those cars that's just there.

Best to stick to the Hyundai i10 I suppose.

I can't get an image today because the server is messing me aorund, sorry about that and thanks for reading.