Kias new Picanto

[farrendahl]

Okay so I know it's not exactly the last word in Pistonheadness but I will happily admit that I actually quite like the look of the new soon to be released Kia Picanto.

2011 Kia Picanto I'm still not about to go and rush out to buy one but I honestly think their are vastly worse looking small shopping cars out there.

[jas xjr]

Not bad looking

[OwenK]

I have to agree, Kia are turning out some nice lookers these days - not massively original looking, but certainly attractive enough. Reports on the last generation are good, aren't they? I imagine they must be quietly confident in themselves to offer such extensive warranty.

[Negative Creep]

That jutting out front bumper is horrid

[nottyash]

Its a cross between a Focus/ Fiesta and a Toyota IQ.
looks OK really. I dont mind that front bumper.

[farrendahl]

Negative Creep said:

That jutting out front bumper is horrid

I have a feeling it could be appearing more exaggerated due to the creasing on the bodywork, but even if it isn't and it really is that pronounced I'd still rather have one of these than say a Ford Ka or Vauxhall Agila (if I had to absolutly have a car of that type of course)

[Switch`]

Have you ever driven one?

Don't

[Deranged Granny]

Lights from a Cygnet?

[Disco You]

Looks like a horrible green lovechild of an aygo and a fiesta with a deformed chin to me.

[vit4]

Not keen on that. Bumper's like a Peugeot one. Gawpy.

Why do companies insist on lurid colours for press shots? Reminds me of that pukey new Focus ST.

[Kentish]

[quote=Switch`]Have you ever driven one?

Don't
[/quote]

You have driven the new 2011 Picanto ....before it is released, I assume you are a motoring journo?

Or, just another badge snob

[icepop]

Yeah, that's not a bad looking motor, for as you say, a shopping car. But they usually can be used for alot more than that. The new POLO, for example is as big in the front now as the Golf of old, and long trips in them are no hassle.

[Waugh-terfall]

I quite like it, then again, I also quite like the Chevrolet Aveo replacement, whatever it's called...

My mate has a 10-plate Picanto Strike (World-Cup Special Edition) 1.3, I think it was £4.5/5k on scrappage, and it's not a bad car! Sure it's a bit rubbish to drive, but driving enjoyment isn't what it's built for. He's got an interest in cars, but isn't the most confident driver so it's fine for him. Massive warranty and that heavily discounted price made for a decent purchase and it's fairly well specced for such little outlay too. I's got a decent in-dash CD-player and stereo with an AUX-in, leather wrapped gearknob and steering wheel, front electric windows, a shift-up display (which is rubbish if honest), Air Conditioning and remote central locking with an alarm (My Mum's £19.5k Peugeot doesn't even have an alarm!!) It's perky but far from quick and struggles on some of the hills around here, but it's quite fun to chuck around town although it's quite tall and narrow with narrow wheels too which can make it feel a bit wobbly but the shape and size make it more than easy to park. It may or may not also fit along foot paths...

If this new one can address some very minor built-quality issues and feel a little more stable and assuring to drive whilst maintaining its desirability (yes, some people do desire such things, old ladies and suchlike!) and knock-down price they're onto a winner against things like the Hyundai i10 and maybe this new Chevy jalopy

Gratuitous photos, because I can.

[davepoth]

Must be a bit lively with a 1.3, I had a poverty spec one with the basic engine as a rental and it went up the A46 out of Bath at illegal speeds.

[Mr Dave]

vit4 said:

Not keen on that. Bumper's like a Peugeot one. Gawpy.

Why do companies insist on lurid colours for press shots? Reminds me of that pukey new Focus ST.

Dark cars do not show up well on the cover of magasines, same as how back in the day mags like Fast Car and Max Power would almost always have a bright car on teh cover and if you wanted to build a cover car bright colours were the way to go.

[farrendahl]

icepop said:

Yeah, that's not a bad looking motor, for as you say, a shopping car. But they usually can be used for alot more than that. The new POLO, for example is as big in the front now as the Golf of old, and long trips in them are no hassle.

My point exactly, and quite right that for the most part a lot of them punch above their category these days, although for me at 6'4, despite a lot of smaller cars now having internal space equivilant to a model from the category above say one generation ago, I am still a fan of bigger cars, solely as I feel more comfortable in them and less hemmed in. Having said that if the nice people at Kia want to give me one for a month and do my day to day commute and a couple of trips up and down the country in it, I'll happily accept.

[Switch`]

Kentish said:

Switch said:

Have you ever driven one?

Don't

You have driven the new 2011 Picanto ....before it is released, I assume you are a motoring journo?

Or, just another badge snob

No, not a badge snob.
I got given a '09 Picanto given to me as a hire car last year.

Frankly it was the worst car from a driving enjoyment point of view.

And I'd be very surprised (given the rest of their range have seemed the same) if they've managed to put any feeling back into the controls.

Power steering in the '09 was weightless with little or no feedback. Clutch pedal felt like it wasn't connected to anything and the ride comfort was none existent. Frankly I'd not go near one with a barge pole.

[farrendahl]

Switch said:

Kentish said:

Switch said:

Have you ever driven one?

Don't

You have driven the new 2011 Picanto ....before it is released, I assume you are a motoring journo?

Or, just another badge snob

No, not a badge snob.
I got given a '09 Picanto given to me as a hire car last year.

Frankly it was the worst car from a driving enjoyment point of view.

And I'd be very surprised (given the rest of their range have seemed the same) if they've managed to put any feeling back into the controls.

Power steering in the '09 was weightless with little or no feedback. Clutch pedal felt like it wasn't connected to anything and the ride comfort was none existent. Frankly I'd not go near one with a barge pole.

The point that is being made Switch is this is an entirely new model from the tyres up with new engines across the range. Yes it is based on the Hyundai i10 (as Kia and Hyundai share most of their platforms if not all) but it's as closely related to the current Picanto as I am related to Germaine Greer, we get from the same ethnicity, but thats were it ends. Instantly rubbishing a brand new model on the experience of driving it's dated predecessor is just a wee bit short sited don't you think?

Edited by farrendahl on Wednesday 12th January 09:25

[300bhp/ton]

Switch said:

Kentish said:

Switch said:

Have you ever driven one?

Don't

You have driven the new 2011 Picanto ....before it is released, I assume you are a motoring journo?

Or, just another badge snob

No, not a badge snob.
I got given a '09 Picanto given to me as a hire car last year.

Frankly it was the worst car from a driving enjoyment point of view.

And I'd be very surprised (given the rest of their range have seemed the same) if they've managed to put any feeling back into the controls.

Power steering in the '09 was weightless with little or no feedback. Clutch pedal felt like it wasn't connected to anything and the ride comfort was none existent. Frankly I'd not go near one with a barge pole.

So basically you are saying a non sporty car, aimed at a non sporty market and potential buyers, drives in a non sporty manner.....

Well Done!



Although most of your descriptions above would seem to also be fitting for most VAG, Vauxhall, etc.... also.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 12th January 09:46

[Kentish]

farrendahl said:

Switch said:

Kentish said:

Switch said:

Have you ever driven one?

Don't

You have driven the new 2011 Picanto ....before it is released, I assume you are a motoring journo?

Or, just another badge snob

No, not a badge snob.
I got given a '09 Picanto given to me as a hire car last year.

Frankly it was the worst car from a driving enjoyment point of view.

And I'd be very surprised (given the rest of their range have seemed the same) if they've managed to put any feeling back into the controls.

Power steering in the '09 was weightless with little or no feedback. Clutch pedal felt like it wasn't connected to anything and the ride comfort was none existent. Frankly I'd not go near one with a barge pole.

The point that is being made Switch is this is an entirely new model from the tyres up with new engines across the range. Yes it is based on the Hyundai i10 (as Kia and Hyundai share most of their platforms if not all) but it's as closely related to the current Picanto as I am related to Germaine Greer, we get from the same ethnicity, but thats were it ends. Instantly rubbishing a brand new model on the experience of driving it's dated predecessor is just a wee bit short sited don't you think?

Edited by farrendahl on Wednesday 12th January 09:25

Similarly, the Cee'd is nothing like the Accent