PR9: 1.1 LX Manual

Reviewer: Amy Jackson
Country: United Kingdom
Model: 1.1 LX 5dr Manual
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 1 - 6 months

Good points: The colour, the CD player, its got 4 speakers and is really narrow and can fit through almost anything.

Bad Points: Because it's a Kia and is not really aimed at the younger generation.

Your review: You get lots of different little things like a sunglasses holder and a tray under your seat. I like the fact that the car beeps when you have not got your seat belt on. If i unlock my car using the remote and don't get there within 30 seconds, it locks itself.

I'd buy another one but would like Kia to put in a bigger engine as the 1.1 engine is not as fast as i'd like. The colour coding on the oil cap and water filler is a good idea, this way i know where to check things. I think it's really good value for money.

Comfort (marks out of 5): 4
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 5
Performance (marks out of 5): 3
Overall (marks out of 5): 4

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PR8: EX Airco 1.0

Reviewer: Philip & Agnes
Country: Netherlands
Model: EX Airco 1.0
Model Year: 2004
Ownership: Over a year

Good points: Very small car on the outside, but very large inside.

Bad Points: The engine needs to much petrol, even when we are driving slowly. The original tyres of Hankook make a lot of terrible noise.

Your review: I've had never bought a Kia, but one day he came on the commercials on the Dutch tv. In a moment we were in love with this model, so the next day to our Kia dealer and went driving with the Picanto, wow wow, what an experience.

Now we are driving for one year with this car, and we don't have any regret to buy this car.

Comfort (marks out of 5): 5
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 4
Performance (marks out of 5): 5
Overall (marks out of 5): 5

Additional Comments: Dealer service 5 points

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PR7: 1.1 LX Manual

Reviewer: Peter Morley
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 LX Manual
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 6 - 12 months

Good points: Roomy in the front with stacks of leg room. You get plenty of equipment as standard which i like and its really easy to drive.

Bad Points: My only disapointment is the economy really as I can't seem to get anywhere near the figures quoted in the brochure. Ive only done 2500 miles so far and it does seem to get better as the engine gets bedded in, but its not what i expected. Also i wouldn't recommend it as a motorway car if you spend a lot of time on them.

Your review: Like i said for motorways it's not ideal but then again small cars with little engines are not designed for that. I love the specification and the easy way it drives. So far no problems and i dont expect to have any on a car as new as this. For value for money it's difficult to beat as i looked at quite a few small cars and they were nowhere near as kitted out as this for the price.

Overall i'm happy with it but would have prefered a diesel for the ecomony if they did one.


Comfort (marks out of 5): 4
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 3
Performance (marks out of 5): 4
Overall (marks out of 5): 4

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PR6: 1.1 SE Manual

Reviewer: Kevin Dyas
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 SE Manual
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 6 - 12 months

Good points: The Kia Picanto comes with an excellent specification along with a superb price tag! Fog lamps, full electrics windows, electric mirrors and air conditioning! I love the colour and the two-tone seat covers.

Bad Points: My Picanto is currently suffering from squealing brakes but it is going back into the dealer to be looked at. Suspension can give it a bit of a bumpy ride.

Your review: Great little car, but there aren't many aftermarket products available in the UK although I was able to get replacement wing mirror covers with LED indicators in. The seats are comfortable and I like the drive.


Comfort (marks out of 5): 4
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 4
Performance (marks out of 5): 4
Overall (marks out of 5): 5

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PR5: 1.1 LX Automatic

Reviewer: Tony Ellis
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 LX Automatic
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 1 - 6 months

Good points: Superb specification for the money. Drives well and feels like a much bigger car. Good build quality with an unoffensive interior.

Bad Points: Sometimes get the impression the engine is racing ahead of the actual acceleration involved. Boot is small but we knew that when we bought it. Hope we never have to use the tyre inflation system.

Your review: Good all round package if space isn't a prime concern although four adults can be accommodated in reasonable comfort. The automatic gearbox is excellent for easy town/city driving but a lot of short journeys will impact on fuel economy. Over 2,000 miles we have a low of 30 mpg and a high of 45 mpg. The overall average since new is 37.8 mpg.

The car is a good drive, even on motorways were it had little problem keeping up with the flow in the outside lane!

It is impressively equipped and feels comfortable no matter which of the seats you occupy. The all round disc brakes could surprise new owners as they are particularly effective (reassuring) but you soon get used to a 'light touch' on the brake pedal.

No regrets at all in our decision to buy. One year's free insurance was a bonus!

Comfort (marks out of 5): 4
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 4
Performance (marks out of 5): 3
Overall (marks out of 5): 5

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PR4: 1.1 LX Manual

Reviewer: Richard Parkin
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 LX Manual
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 1 - 4 weeks

Good points: Equipment, visibility, and interior space considering how compact the exterior is. Also a very good motorway cruiser I have found .

Bad points: Boot is very small, if only the car was a couple of inches longer!

Your review: I bought the car a few weeks back, encouraged by the numerous positive reviews in the motoring press. I think they are all justified as its a cracking little car. As well as the boot being a bit small, I would also like to have slightly better plastics inside. Sure, its well constructed, but I'd have paid an extra couple of hundred if the interior materials were "heavier" quality. Paint quality is good, ride and handling acceptable but a bit bouncy over speed humps (but you'd expect that with a short wheelbase car). The Steering is nicely weighted, and the dash layout nice and logical. Overall, its a fantastic value piece of kit, and if it had a Ford badge in the front, they'd be everywhere.

Comfort (marks out of 5): 4
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 5
Performance (marks out of 5): 4
Overall (marks out of 5): Select a mark

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PR3: 1.1 Glamour

Reviewer: Anonymous
Country: United Kingdom
Model: 1.1 Glamour Manual
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 1 - 6 months

Good points: Where do I begin! The picanto glamour edition offers so much for your money and I can always see people looking at it and wondering what car it is as it just doesn't look like a normal streetcar- it has something special about it! the alloys are a lovely edition and the roomy interior is fantastic!

Bad points: The car doesnt come with a spare tyre which is definatly a worrying bad point. You are instead provided with a can of tyre 'fixer' which doesnt look easy to use. However in kia's defence all kia's come with RAC membership free!

Your review: Well, I have only had my car for 3 months and it is definately without doubt the best thing I have ever bought!! It is such a pleasure to drive its roomy and the exterior is so special. It looks so much more expensive than what it is. And of course, its a safe car and that pleases mum and dad! But my favourite thing is definately the pink glamour that is written on the car. It's so cool having and girlie and I just love it!


Comfort (marks out of 5): 5
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 5
Performance (marks out of 5): 5
Overall (marks out of 5): 5

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PR2: 1.1 LX

Reviewer: Mrs Goulding
Country: United Kingdom
Model: 1.0 LX Manual
Model Year: 2004
Ownership: Over a year

Good points: Power steering as my last car was an old Corsa and didn't have it.

Bad points: I don't like the fact there's no spare wheel and only a repair kit which i think is a bit mean of Kia. I had to go and pay extra for a spare which i got from my dealer.

Your review: Compared to my last car i find the Picanto easier to drive and the steering is nice and light. It seems good on petrol and is nippy around town.

The drivers seat could do with being adjustable as i am fairly long in the back and i feel a little high in the seat. I like the fact it is well equipped for a small car and fehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifels very safe to drive.

I would recommend anybody to try one and am more than happy with the car and service from my local dealer. I am scoring it 3 for comfort only because of the seat position for me.


Comfort (marks out of 5): 3
Reliability (marks out of 5): 5
Economy (marks out of 5): 4
Performance (marks out of 5): 5
Overall (marks out of 5): 4

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