4 stars rating by expert for Kia Picanto

Kia's new Picanto is a capable, attractively styled and well built sub-supermini that drives decently and should cost little to run. It is easily as good as its direct rivals, with appeal running deeper than its generous seven-year warranty. The new Picanto is a decent all-round proposition, with good looks, a neat interior, competitive space and a decent drive. It rivals cars like Ford's Ka, the Citroen C1, Renault Twingo and the Hyundai i10, but none of them can offer the Picanto's spectacular seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Two petrol engines are offered in the Picanto: either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit, or a 1.25-litre four-cylinder. The 1.25-litre might be faster and smoother, but the 1.0-litre is sufficiently eager around town, though you occasionally need to drop a few gears on the motorway to maintain momentum. 

That gearshift is accurate enough though and noise suppression in both versions is good - the three-cylinder thrum that is heard from the 1.0-litre car is actually quite appealing. Given the typical buyers in this marketplace that's a huge potential draw. That smart design is backed up with interior material quality and fit and finish that's as good as, and in many cases better than, its European rivals. Even so, it's unlikely you'll ever ache with desire to own a Picanto, but there are some pleasing styling details inside and out - the cool sculpted rear lights and the two-tone steering wheel stand out in particular.

 Prices start at just £7,995 for the most basic 1.0-litre 1 model, though it's worth spending the £9,595 for the 2, which adds air conditioning, Bluetooth telephone connection, iPod integration on the stereo, all-round electric windows, electric heated and adjusted door mirrors, as well as some leather trim on the steering wheel and gear knob and a map pocket on the back of the passenger seat and thanks to the 1.0-litre car returning 67.3mpg on the official combined economy cycle, while 99g/km CO2 emissions