Kia Picanto (2017 on)
GT Line 1.0
An original mini, Korean style.
Only had it a couple of weeks, but impressions so far.
1. The not so good. The centre info display between the dials is of poor quality - you can see the pixels, and the menu is confusing, and not intiuitive, poorly executed, with not useful info. I know they need to keep costs down, but it would have taken a couple extra quid for a better display, and a bit more thought. Hill Assist is permanently on, so not possbile to gently roll back into a parking space on an incline. Again, just a bit more thought - would have been easy to turn it off in the menu. The basic radio. It works OK, but its ugly, and why have a throw back to the 1970's so prominent? Too early to comment on economy - hoping this will improve as the engine beds in, and its not a car that lends itself to driving economically.
2. The good. The cockpit (at least on the GT line) is head and shoulders above any other town car - feels like a much larger car - real quality with clear switches. Its a nice place to be. Seats are good. But there is only one reason why you'd buy this - the way it drives. Reminds me of the original mini - not so powerful but corners like its on rails, and the three pot engine makes up in character what it lacks in grunt. But it doesn't feel slow at all, at least not up till 50/4th gear, when it starts to struggle. The best bit is how it manages to induce a grin on your face as you drive it - the whole experience is just huge fun. Most cars get you from A to B. With this, that is a useful by-product, its the journey which is the highlight. Its sometimes tempting to take the long way round just to extend the drive.
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About this car
Price | £11,235–£15,685 |
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Road Tax | B–E |
MPG | 44.8–64.2 mpg |
Real MPG | 77.6% |