Kia Picanto reviews

Bought new 28th October 2012. (Dealer offer £1700 off list.) as a retirement car, I spent a considerable amount of time researching this class (city car) before making my decision. I previously owned 2 Skodas over 7 years, but my nightmarish experiences with the dealer in Aldershot were SO appalling, I ruled out the Citigo (+ the other VW variants) as it wasn't (they weren't) available in auto. The Kia ticked all the boxes, excellent build quality, space & comfort, drives nicely & the kit (far too much of it to list here-it even has a heated steering wheel, Dammit!) puts some lower end large cars to shame. Extras, dealer fit cruise control, 3 year/30k service plan & steel spare wheel. No problems to date. Some reviews have placed it below class leading for handling, also, reports of MPG being lower than the manufacturer claims, I get around 43 mpg around town & best on a run so far is 55 mpg (seems to be improving steadily & It handles fine as far as I'm concerned). First service due 28th October 2013, will've done roughly 3.5 k miles at that point. And the 7 year warranty? Nothing matches it. Downside, as with many other manufacturers nowadays, is no spare wheel as standard, that's bad, the gooey, sticky, gunge kit supplied to supposedly repair a puncture is very poor option. Apart from that, this car does it for me, I really like it, you can put your phone in the armrest pocket provided (it "bluetooths" up straightaway, answer an incoming call on the steering wheel & click off-also on the steering wheel-all without taking your eyes off the road. I would have given it 10/10 for (slightly) better fuel consumption, better midrange (50-70mph) acceleration & perhaps a more powerful stereo system, (but that's just a small gripe).

I moved to a Kia Picanto from a Ford Mondeo almost 10 years ago - quite a change in size of car. It was a change that took a bit of getting used to, the thing that took me the longest to get rid of was the HUGE reduction in the boot size. Such a small boot in my Kia! However this has never been a major problem. I helped my daughter move house packing by putting the seats down and getting a reasonably large space available. It was pretty amazing what I fitted in that car. The running costs went down considerably - the cost of the road tax is so low that I am not offered the chance to buy 6 months worth. Also I went from using Diesel to Unleaded Petrol with this change of car, another cost saving. Having a smaller car has meant that it has been a lot easier to park - getting into my own drive was sometimes not possible at home with the Mondeo as other motorists hadn't left me enough room to turn in. I have never had that problem with my Kia. The only problem I had last year with this car which I haven't had with any other car was that the wheels were rusted and damaging the tyres so I had to buy new wheels. That said I have covered a lot of miles in my car, much to the amusement of my local Kia garage who can't keep up with when my services are due. Most recently I went on a short road trip around the UK, driving almost 800 miles in a week. People who have bigger cars than me make fun of my car and think I shouldn't drive it long distances but what is a car for, if not driving? I love my Kia and when I change cars it will be to another Kia :-)

I bought my Kia Picanto four months ago so I need to see how it runs in winter. So far I love the comfort of my Kia, this is the first time I have had four doors which is handy. I enjoy driving it, visibility good, annual road tax £30! The down side is that water gets in the boot ( although it has a plastic bottom so it will not rust). I have read that this is a common problem, I think it is the water jetter that leaks when used on the rear window so I avoid using it. Also, you cannot fill the front reservoir too much or that leaks out .... strange. Small boot, no spare tyre, one of those puncture kits but thankfully I am with the AA if need them. The after sales service from Kia is non-existant. I did not get a handbook with this car and Kia do not have downloads like other dealers so I had to buy one. My experience with their customer service was dreadful. Because of this bad experience I would probably not buy another Kia, sad as I think they are probably reliable cars.

I have had this car for about 1 year, It had 1 previous owner and had done about 26,000 miles - I have driven about 4,000 miles of mainly short journeys but also some motorway journeys of 80 miles or so. So far it has been faultless. Over the year I have been averaging 48 - 50 miles per gallon. Mostly I am on my own and there is enough boot space for the weekly supermarket shop or luggage for a night away from home. I have also carried 3 adult male passengers on a number of occasions over 20 mile trips without them expressing adverse comments about comfort or space. The performance is more than adequate for my needs living in an area without lots of hills. Steering is precise and the brakes and lights are very good. A very efficient heater and air conditioning make for good comfort, although after several hours, I find the driver's seat a bit uncomfortable. Avery practical car with low running costs (£30.00 car tax) that is ideal for mainly short journeys,

This car has all the features I want. It is responsive enough to drive in most conditions. I like its smallness - good for parking, good for the environment. Yet it has held (with roof box) me + 2 teenagers + camping gear for 10 days. I have driven it down France and up again 3 summers running with camping gear aboard; it is as fast as regulations allow on the autoroutes (though for economy and environmental reasons I do not drive at max speed). I have been comfortable all the way. It takes a lot of stuff to the tip! and the occasional bike (with a squeeze) to the bike shop. I suspect is is less comfortable in the back if you are tall - and at 5'6" I have the driver's seat pushed back to its furthest. So not for the the tall, for those wanting "high performance" or older families. But fun, practical and economical.

This car was my choice because it was cheap to buy and low cost to run. It has not disappointed. At eight years old (it was bought new) it has never let me down and has had no major faults. It has now done over 100000 miles. The boot space is small; however, the back seats come down and give generous capacity. In the sense of ?you get what you pay for? this car has offered excellent value for money. Not surprisingly its weakness is lack of power, but it will cruise at 70 on a motorway, it just doesn?t have the power to accelerate which can be a little frustrating when overtaking or pulling out on a motorway, one just has to have patience and think of its many other virtues. Overall I have been very satisfied with this car.

The car is a small hatchback that is very cheap to run. It is fine for local driving with two people, but a bit small for four people or if there is any luggage. Most of my driving is by myself and under ten miles so it suites me and is great value with a good MPG and low car tax and insurance. I have used it for longer journeys (100 miles plus) with two people and luggage and it performs well even on motorways, but I would not choose this car if I was using it for long journey on a daily basis. A good overall town car that is OK for occasional longer journeys.

I have had my Picanto for just over 12 months and use it mainly for local journeys and occasional motorway trips of about 100 miles. It is ideal for my needs being retired and has taken 3 adult males passengers with no problems. I get about 50 miles per gallon, parking is relatively easy and I find access easy. Overall running costs are good. The brakes, air conditioning and heater are all very effective. The only downside is that it is a bit noisy when driving at 65mph and above.

This was the worst car I have ever owned. Reliable and economical I'm sure, but even on smooth roads it magnified every tiny bump. Like riding over a permanent cattle grid. I just don't know how it can be said to have a smooth ride. And it is so noisy..... After ten miles of concrete suspension and roar, my little dog was howling, my head was aching and I had decided to get rid of it. Kept if for only a week. Do, please, check the comfort of the drive before you buy one....

I have owned my Kia Picanto for some 4 years and do about 7,500 a year - mainly local driving but sometimes a journey of 250 miles for a holiday. It is ideal for this type of use and I get approx. 45mpg average; tax at £30.00 a year and affordable insurance make it economic to run. It can carry 4 adults when needed - although not comfortably for long trips. Performance is good enough for my needs, parking is easy and I am well satisfied with this car.

Maybe not the snazziest car but for reliability and practicality you can' t beat it. Use it for short and long journeys. May not be the fastest but it gets there even wales and scotland from the south east. Amazing what can be crammed in for 2 week self catering summer holiday including child and 2 adults and still see out the back. Keep it well serviced and it will be a friend for years.

This is my fourth Kia Picanto and I rate it so highly. With a 7 year guarantee you cannot go wrong. There is no tax to pay and you get so much to the gallon when doing long or short distances. It is a wonderfully comfortable car and very spacious too. I have to say in 29 years of driving different cars, this one is the best.

Very happy with my Kia, I purchased the cheapest no extras version. On reflection I would have had a couple of extras like a clock for instance. Car has never ( fingers crossed) let me down and the only thing I dislike about it is the large hooter button - the complete centre of the steering wheel and easy to knock by mistake.

Excellent small car/hatchback. Loads of space. 2013 model has some nice extras that the 2010 model didn't have. Probably not so good on lots of long journeys but perfect for town driving. Only drawback - aircon reduces fuel consumption dramatically. Would like Kia to come up with this version as a hybrid or electric only.

I love my car as I hit a deer one winter evening and there are hardly any marks on the bodywork. I feel very safe in it, it is comfortable,well laid out and easy to park. The only thing that lets my car down is the lack of va va voom acceleration in high gear and very poor windscreen wipers and dipped headlight bulbs.

Got this car for work and it's been running for 5 years with 3 drivers without any major problem. The car almost reached 200000 km and still running great, with 50 mpg average The performance is not empressive but what do you expect from 1.1 50mpg entry level car?! Will upgrade to the 2015 1.25 picanto soon

We read that the fuel consumption is about 60 miles to the gallon. On a long motorway journey at a steady speed (65 mpg) in good weather we manage to achieve 54 mpg. Over the summer months with the air con on and carrying out shorter trips we only achieve 46 mpg - far removed from the 60+ advertised

Vehicle very cheap to run...small but compact, plenty of room for 5 people. On a long journey recently got nearly 100 miles to the gallon. Easy to park Boot small but enough space for suitcases if parcel shelf is taken out Overall good car and very happy with it. Would definitely recommend it

I love my Kia. It is a cracking little vehicle, easy to use, quick to respond, easy on petrol--I could go on and on. I never want another car--and I hope I won't ever need to buy one (I'm pretty aged and am sure I won't need one!) I have no idea what a T&C is so don't know what to "accept".

A nice small car that has been very reliable. Plenty of space for passengers with 5 doors. Seats fold flat to give plenty of luggage space for two, or can be split to give 3 seats and extra luggage space. Economical and yet nippy in traffic. Good turning circle for parking etc.