Road test report ------------ by Kevin Fenix.
----------- November 2011 -----------

Kia Picanto

I was impressed with this latest Kia Picanto. I liked the exterior styling, which I thought was attractive and well balanced. The inside was similarly attractive and well finished, exuding a feeling of the highest quality in everything you could see and touch. The leather covered steering wheel in particular had the feel of the highest quality and luxury.
Under the bonnet there was an all new three cylinder petrol engine. My past impressions of three cylinder engines, were that they could be a bit raucous once they got going and especially when accelerating. This engine, however, remained well subdued at all speeds. Perhaps it was just well insulated, but looking under the bonnet there did not appear to be any excessive amounts of soundproofing materials.
The engine is linked to a five speed manual gearbox. The gearchange was smooth and precise, which is just as well, as in city and suburban driving, you do have to make frequent changes, especially when the traffic slows and then accelerates as it usually does. Once you can get away from the traffic, the Picanto will cruise along comfortably in fifth gear, but in undulating countryside, you may well have to change down for rises in the road, depending on your cruising speed.

Although it has a small capacity engine, its performance is not compromised. Top speed is said to be 153 kph (95 mph), which is well above the national speed limits, for both motorways and other roads. Acceleration from 0-100 kph takes 14.4 seconds, which is perfectly acceptable for a car of this size. Remember this is a comfortable four seater economy car, not a boyracer’s drag racing machine.
A number of years ago when I had the previous model Picanto on test, I was convinced that its fuel consumption was far heavier than that suggested by the EU testing standards for Urban, Extra urban and Combined cycles. Unfortunately when I collected this car, the tank was not full. I thought I had reset the trip mileage, but a few days later, it became obvious that I had not. As with the previous model, I got the impression that this new Picanto was far thirstier than the published figures suggested, but unfortunately I have no concrete evidence to prove that is in fact the case. The published figures give an Urban cycle reading of 53 mpg (5.3 lt/100 km), extra urban cycle of 74 mpg (3.8 lt/100 km) and a Combined cycle average of 67 mpg (4.2 lt/100 km). In the Picanto’s favour is the fact that Dublin’s traffic can be very congested and slow moving. On one afternoon, it took me over an hour to cover just ten miles, from the city centre to Malahide.
Steering is electrically power assisted and is geared to give a very comfort orientated 3.5 turns from lock to lock. In spite of this low gearing, it never felt vague or imprecise. The ride is comfortable, even over our incredibly poor road surfaces. while the roadholding is good within the car’s performance potential.
My firm impression of this latest Picanto, was that it is an excellent car for young unattached people. It provides comfortable transportation for work related and socialising requirements. It is also a very good car for older married couples, whose families have grown up and left home. It is easy to get in and out and it provided seats and adequate power for all one’s normal motoring needs. The two outer rear seats have ISOfix fittings for child safety seats. While the normal luggage space is small, the split rear seats can be folded if additional space is required for larger items, or when going on holiday with only two people on board.

Left : Normal luggage space

Right : Maximum luggage space

No jack, wheel spanner or spare wheel is provided. Instead there is a container of latex and a plug-in air compressor, so it is advisable to be a member of the AA or some other rescue service in case you need them in an emergency. This is especially important if you intend to go touring, or holidaying away from your local environment.

The instrument panel is well laid out for comfort and ease of use. The three main analogue instruments have black faces with white lettering. The large centre unit is the speedometer and it incorporates the trip and total distance recorders in red figures. On the right is the fuel level gauge, while the matching instrument on the left is the tachometer. The audio system is in the top centre of the facia with the hazard warning switch above it. When the panel in the audio unit is not being used for audio related information, it gives the time in large, easy to see lettering. The three round knobs below the audio panel are the controls for the heating and ventilating system. The left hand arm of the steering wheel has additional audio related controls, while the right hand arm has controls for the mobile telephone facilities. Controls for the exterior rear view mirrors, central locking and four electric windows are all located in the driver’s door armrest. In the large open storage place, ahead of the gearlever, there are sockets for further electronic attachments. In the normal manner the left hand stalk controls the direction indicators and lights, while the right hand stalk operates the wipers and washers.

Technical data