Kia Picanto (04-11) - Review

Considering the Picanto is a small city car the interior is remarkably roomy. The front passenger has a decent amount of head and legroom, although some fidgeting is required if you want to open the glovebox. The rear seats are only really suitable for regular use by children, although short journeys with four adults on board is bearable. The seats are pretty good - firm enough for medium-distance journeys but comfy enough for day-to-day trips.

There’s good head and legroom for two adults in the front and two in the back. The Picanto is only available as a five-door, so getting in-and-out is a doddle and although the boot is small, it's sufficient. The rear seats also split and fold for further storage. There are lots of extra compartments to keep things safe, including a sunglasses holder, narrow door bins and a few cupholders. However, unlike the Citroën C2 and Honda Jazz, the rear seat bench cannot be moved to give more luggage space or rear legroom.

The dashboard is good-looking with all major controls angled towards the driver. The steering doesn't adjust for reach but most owners will find the driving position acceptable. All the buttons are big, chunky and easy to find, but some of the radio/CD controls are a bit fiddly. The MP3-compatible CD player does away with the need for a bulky CD multichanger, though iPod connectivity on top spec models will be more appealing to younger buyers.