Hatchback up to £15k to replace Kia Picanto

[Vintekk]

Hi, I've got a 2018 1.25 Kia Picanto X Line S atm and its been great, but its on a PCP which ends next year and I'd like to change the car to something a bit bigger. I only really drive around town, to work (7 miles/11km one way), but this may change soon to be a bit more as I'm looking to change jobs and occasionally do longer trips (could be more frequent if I get a bigger car)

The main things I'm looking for:

• Not too big, I'm single and don't have any pets or anything to carry, just a bit bigger than my current
• Reliability
• Won't cost a fortune to run/maintain
• Good fuel economy
• Petrol
• Faster than my current one
• Parking sensors
• Android Auto

Then a few wants but not necessarily required:

• Leather seats
• Reverse camera
• Comes in non-boring colours

So far I've considered the below:

• Audi A1 - almost bought one but its at the top end of my budget and i'd be a bit worried about running costs/parts if something was to go wrong
• Kia Rio, GT Line S spec - on the look-out but no interesting ones in my area atm
• Seat Ibiza/Leon - originally considered but after test driving the Ibiza, I didn't like it that much
• Renault Clio, 1.3 TCE RS Line spec - on the look-out but no interesting ones atm, only thing putting me off is the lack of leather seats
• Peugeot 208, no idea what spec - Like the look of it, great interior, but a bit worried about reliability given its a Peugeot
• Hyundai i20, N Line (not regular N) spec - same as Clio
• Volkswagen Polo/Golf, no idea what spec - I came across a few R-Line specs that looked alright but aside from that I find these to be very bland, both inside and outside, even though they seem extremely popular

Does anyone have any suggestions?

EDIT: Forgot to mention, not really considering EVs for this one, most likely the next though

Thanks!

Edited by Vintekk on Monday 25th August 20:08

Edited by Vintekk on Monday 25th August 20:10

[loskie]

Kia XCeed

[Evanivitch]

Can get a low mileage Hyundai Kona 64kWh that'll do 250 miles range easily for that money.

[Vintekk]

loskie said:

Kia XCeed

It seems a bit big, have been looking at the Kia Ceed though as a potential one. It is only me, I'm single and don't have pets so dont need huge amounts of space
Thanks!

[Vintekk]

Evanivitch said:

Can get a low mileage Hyundai Kona 64kWh that'll do 250 miles range easily for that money.

I'm not really considering EVs for this one, probably the next one though.
Thanks!

[loskie]

Vintekk said:

loskie said:

Kia XCeed

It seems a bit big, have been looking at the Kia Ceed though as a potential one. It is only me, I'm single and don't have pets so dont need huge amounts of space
Thanks!

you did mention a Golf. I think the size is similar.

[kiethton]

I'd find it hard to look past a fiesta ST-3

Decently reliable unless tuned to the moon, the ST-3 comes with the kit you want, are small (can be 3 or 5 door) and drive/keep value well. Decent range of non-monochrome colours too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507304...

[Silvanus]

Vintekk said:

loskie said:

Kia XCeed

It seems a bit big, have been looking at the Kia Ceed though as a potential one. It is only me, I'm single and don't have pets so dont need huge amounts of space
Thanks!

If you like style of the Xceed but want smaller, how about a nearly new, top spec Dacia Sandero Stepway. Easily in budget and will have the majority it's Zen 7 year warranty available. One of the highest customer satisfaction rated cars, with the brands newer cars putting it in the top 5 of the Driverpower survey. Very decent little cars indeed. There is a reason the Sandero is the best selling car in Europe, with the Stepways being amongst the most popular models. We are too worried about the badge on the nose in the UK.

[Master Bean]

A Fiesta is a bit bigger and fun to drive. Has the revised engine with a chain rather than wet belt.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506304...

[clockworks]

Just get a better Picanto.

The GT Line S has all the "extras", and was available with the 100bhp 1 litre turbo engine for much better performance. Still does 50mpg.
The 2021 facelift gave the GT S better infotainment and dash display, as well as an improved engine map, but dropped the electric sunroof.

[paul_c123]

Vintekk said:

Hi, I've got a 2018 1.25 Kia Picanto X Line S atm and its been great, but its on a PCP which ends next year and I'd like to change the car to something a bit bigger. I only really drive around town, to work (7 miles/11km one way), but this may change soon to be a bit more as I'm looking to change jobs and occasionally do longer trips (could be more frequent if I get a bigger car)

The main things I'm looking for:

• Not too big, I'm single and don't have any pets or anything to carry, just a bit bigger than my current
• Reliability
• Won't cost a fortune to run/maintain
• Good fuel economy
• Petrol
• Faster than my current one
• Parking sensors
• Android Auto

Then a few wants but not necessarily required:

• Leather seats
• Reverse camera
• Comes in non-boring colours

So far I've considered the below:

• Audi A1 - almost bought one but its at the top end of my budget and i'd be a bit worried about running costs/parts if something was to go wrong
• Kia Rio, GT Line S spec - on the look-out but no interesting ones in my area atm
• Seat Ibiza/Leon - originally considered but after test driving the Ibiza, I didn't like it that much
• Renault Clio, 1.3 TCE RS Line spec - on the look-out but no interesting ones atm, only thing putting me off is the lack of leather seats
• Peugeot 208, no idea what spec - Like the look of it, great interior, but a bit worried about reliability given its a Peugeot
• Hyundai i20, N Line (not regular N) spec - same as Clio
• Volkswagen Polo/Golf, no idea what spec - I came across a few R-Line specs that looked alright but aside from that I find these to be very bland, both inside and outside, even though they seem extremely popular

Does anyone have any suggestions?

EDIT: Forgot to mention, not really considering EVs for this one, most likely the next though

Thanks!

Edited by Vintekk on Monday 25th August 20:08

Edited by Vintekk on Monday 25th August 20:10

First thing is, do you want a prestige brand, a mass-market brand, or an economy brand? That will narrow it down. Secondly, I'd avoid the Peugeot for various reasons to do with sanity. Also, none of those cars will come with leather seats - it might say "leather" but it will be a substitute these days unless its a fairly expensive prestige brand which still actually kill cows to source the material.

[ChrisH72]

I don't think you can go too far wrong with any modern supermini to be honest. It's a matter if driving some to see what you like.

Any reason you don't have the Fiesta on your list?

It's long been considered to be the best if you enjoy driving and 15k gets you a nice sporty ST line spec.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025082256...

Plenty to choose from as well so you should be able to find a good example nearby.

[A500leroy]

You need a Yaris.

[Vintekk]

clockworks said:

Just get a better Picanto.

The GT Line S has all the "extras", and was available with the 100bhp 1 litre turbo engine for much better performance. Still does 50mpg.
The 2021 facelift gave the GT S better infotainment and dash display, as well as an improved engine map, but dropped the electric sunroof.

I did actually start considering this as the Picanto has essentially all that I want and not had any issues with my current one aside from the parking sensors randomly stopped working a few months ago, but the only downside is the size of the car. I'd ideally like something a bit bigger, which is pretty much what the Rio is but can't find any interesting ones atm

[Vintekk]

ChrisH72 said:

I don't think you can go too far wrong with any modern supermini to be honest. It's a matter if driving some to see what you like.

Any reason you don't have the Fiesta on your list?

It's long been considered to be the best if you enjoy driving and 15k gets you a nice sporty ST line spec.

Plenty to choose from as well so you should be able to find a good example nearby.

No concrete reason really but not too big of a fan of the shape of the Fiesta. I saw a few Ford Focus which looked decent but they apparently aren't the most reliable from what I read, and not sure but just something about the Ford brand in general. It's a similar case to the Polo/Golf which I've got on my list but it'd definitely be near the bottom i.e. it'd pick it up if there's absolutely nothing else to choose from

[Vintekk]

paul_c123 said:

First thing is, do you want a prestige brand, a mass-market brand, or an economy brand? That will narrow it down. Secondly, I'd avoid the Peugeot for various reasons to do with sanity. Also, none of those cars will come with leather seats - it might say "leather" but it will be a substitute these days unless its a fairly expensive prestige brand which still actually kill cows to source the material.

Something in between prestige and mass-market. Yeah I'm not expecting top tier proper leather seats, but the "leather" kind that my current car has would be fine, I'd even be fine with part "leather" as long as its not fully cloth

[ChrisH72]

15k on any supermini should really get you under 3 years old and very few miles. I don't think I'd worry too much about reliability. If you've enjoyed the Kia then the Rio is worth pursuing as you'll have plenty of warranty remaining. IMO the problem with cars like the Yaris is that whilst they may be very reliable they're also pretty dull and not that great to drive (unless you get a GR!).

Lots of people dislike Ford and often go on about the early ecoboom engines. I'm sure the latest ones are much better. I've had 3 Ford's over the years and they've all been reliable and also fantastic to drive. Cheapest cars to run I ever had. But if you don't like the looks then fair enough.

Clio is apparently a very good car from what I've read. They look smart inside and out too.

[AndyJWB]

Suzuki Swift Sport? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508255...

[targarama]

A500leroy said:

You need a Yaris.

I would look at a Fiesta or a Yaris for sure. Choice depending on how much space and/or economy is needed. Fiesta more grown up drive maybe. Latest model Yaris very smart looking too. Plus it simply won't go wrong.

[ChrisH72]

Clio Techno 1.0

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025081955...

May need slightly above your 15k for this latest shape Clio. Although it's only 90bhp the turbo should help make it feel a bit livelier than your Picanto.