Although the condition of each vehicle will vary our test model was still in a perfect condition. The exterior as well as the interior was still in a pristine condition with no visible flaws.
Performance and Economy:
Under the hood of the little Picanto you will find a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 49kW and 95Nm. Don’t be fooled by the size of this little engine, as it is a keen little performer. Good in-gear flexibility and short gear ratios from a slick shifting five-speed gearbox made for a fun drive in and around town. Open road cruising proved impressive too as the compact Picanto can cruise effortlessly at speeds higher than the legal speed limit.
Most importantly the Picanto Street is very fuel-efficient too, with Kia claiming a combined fuel consumption figure of just 5.0-litres per 100km.
Ride quality:
For a budget vehicle the Picanto’s ride quality certainly impresses, without a doubt it is one of the most comfortable hatchbacks available at this price point. The cabin is well insulated too and its only when the Picanto is worked hard that the three-cylinder engine note is audible.
The lightweight power steering and its small dimensions make parking in tight spaces a breeze.
On the inside:
The interior is well laid out and compared to other offerings on the market the feeling of quality is immediately evident. As with many budget hatchbacks hard plastics are present but they are of good quality.
In Street form standard features included a multi-function steering wheel, air-conditioning, power windows, an on-board trip computer, a front USB port and a multi-media infotainment system with bluetooth connectivity, as well as smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety features include dual-airbags for the front occupants, auto locking doors, park distance control including a reverse camera, ISOFIX anchoring points and ABS with EBD.
In Street guise the comfortable seats are adorned with attractive cloth upholstery. Interior space is also on par with what the best in this sector can offer. Boot space measures 255-litres and can be expanded to 1 010 litres by folding the rear seats down.
Buying a budget hatchback is not as simple as it used to be with the market currently flooded with a variety of options. The Kia Picanto Street is one such option and our short road test just confirms why it should be considered as your next budget buy.
