Kias new Picanto

[minimatt1967]

Looks like a Matiz with a ghastly bodykit. With it being cheap this could be good move from Kia, luring the boy racers in with a car that is already partially kitted up to their needs, they only need some bling rims and they can cruise to their hearts content in a cheap hatchback. A bit like the Saxo Stateside's from back in the day.

[Kentish]

Kia have come a long way, they no longer feel cheaply made (built in Slovakia btw) and the styling is no longer old fashioned.

This is a basic model Pro-cee'd - with leather interior, 17" alloys, bluetooth phone/iPod streaming, steering wheel controls, ABS & EPS, alarm/immobiliser, leccy windows, aircon and a 7 year/100k mile warranty of course.

Edited by Kentish on Wednesday 12th January 11:40

[farrendahl]

Kentish said:

Kia have come a long way, they no longer feel cheaply made (built in Slovakia btw) and the styling is no longer old fashioned.

This is a basic model Pro-cee'd - with leather interior, 17" alloys, bluetooth phone/iPod streaming, steering wheel controls, ABS & EPS, alarm/immobiliser, leccy windows, aircon and a 7 year/100k mile warranty of course.

Edited by Kentish on Wednesday 12th January 11:40

And was a model I seriously considered when I was entertaining the thought of buying brand new. However I couldn't jutify to myself the idea of buying a brand new car on finance (despite a blinding deal) as prefer to own something outright, but in the future I'd certainly still consider one

Edited by farrendahl on Wednesday 12th January 11:58

[Beefmeister]

Saw one of these t'other day:



Very odd looking thing - not well balanced at all. Shame as i really like the look of the P'ro'Ce'e'd'.

[Kentish]

Beefmeister said:

Saw one of these t'other day:



Very odd looking thing - not well balanced at all. Shame as i really like the look of the P'ro'Ce'e'd'.

I had a nose around one in the showroom as we are thinking about replacing our Qashqai with one at some point.

They do look better in the flesh and from some angles better than others. The rear side windows are a bit of an odd shape to me and the new corporate grille is not so nice.

But what struck me is how refined it is, the quality of the car is up there with the likes of Ford & VW, it is very solid indeed and very tactile inside. I was very impressed.

It is much better built than the Qashqai we have and feels like a much bigger more solid beast than the Nissan.

[cuprabob]

remember that KIA hired several design guys from Audi and the CE'ED and Sportage were the first cars released with their input

[Kentish]

cuprabob said:

remember that KIA hired several design guys from Audi and the CE'ED and Sportage were the first cars released with their input

Peter Schreyer.

[Deva Link]

jas xjr said:

Not bad looking

There's a 3 door version coming for Europe too and that looks better - will probably appeal well to (non-badge conscious, ie girls) younger drivers.

Edited by Deva Link on Wednesday 12th January 14:13

[Pkh72]

Beefmeister said:

Saw one of these t'other day:



Very odd looking thing - not well balanced at all. Shame as i really like the look of the P'ro'Ce'e'd'.

There is a white one of these here at work and i think it looks pretty smart, it's on our list of potentials as a next car, it won't be bought for scratching door handles on country lanes so it's handling at 10/10ths isn't important, it's usability (sp?) for carting twins about is of more relevance.

[300bhp/ton]

[farrendahl]

300bhp/ton said:

Just wish they would release this one over here, personally think it looks stunning.

[Waugh-terfall]

[quote=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.

It's a shopping trolley, driving one that's enjoyable is a bonus. A Picanto can be enjoyable, in the right place

[300bhp/ton]

Beefmeister said:

Saw one of these t'other day:



Very odd looking thing - not well balanced at all. Shame as i really like the look of the P'ro'Ce'e'd'.

I don't mind that, quite aggressive looking, which suits a 4x4 IMO. Better looking than an X-trail or rav4 at any rate.

[LuS1fer]

300bhp/ton said:

I like both of those but despise the Soul. I quite liked the looks of the last Picanto but this one looks like another rip-off design, heavily influenced by the Fiesta.

[littlebasher]

With the rate the likes of Kia are catching up mainstream brands, in terms of Quality, design, warranty and cost - only a fool wouldn't at least consider one of their new range.

Even with the older Picanto, it was never sold as a 'driving machine'. Instead it's a cheap, well equiped and dependable small car - value wise it's going to beat most other cars in the same category

[Kentish]

Hyundai/Kia are currently the 4th largest car manufacturer in the world.

[Kentish]

Waugh-terfall said:

[quote=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.

It's a shopping trolley, driving one that's enjoyable is a bonus. A Picanto can be enjoyable, in the right place

a completely different car to the one being discussed.......

Edited by Kentish on Wednesday 12th January 14:05

[kambites]

Kentish said:

Hyundai/Kia are currently the 4th largest car manufacturer in the world.

Behind ... Toyota, GM and VAG? Are they really bigger than Ford?

Ah apparently they make more cars, but less vehicles; presumably because so many American Fords are classed as light commercial vehicles?

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 12th January 14:04

[farrendahl]

kambites said:

Kentish said:

Hyundai/Kia are currently the 4th largest car manufacturer in the world.

Behind ... Toyota, GM and VAG? Are they really bigger than Ford?

As of 2009 the top manufacturers by volume looked like this

Toyota 7,234,439
GM 6,459,053
Volkswagen 6,067,208,200
Ford 4,685,394
Hyundai Kia 4,645,776
PSA 3,042,311
Honda 3,012,637
Nissan 2,744,562
Fiat 2,460,222
Suzuki 2,387,537

So I really wouldn't be surprised if Hyundai/Kia have pushed past Ford now, my biggest surprise was that Renault weren't in the top 10.