PR17: 1.1 LX Manual

Reviewer: Samir
Country: Romania
Model: 1.1 LX Manual
Model Year: 2006
Ownership: 1 - 6 months

Good points: Interior space is roomy, silent drive even on highway at 120km/h, very good assisted steering, perfect match for city, pleasant interior and dashboard, excellent-sporty gearbox, excellent brakes even without ABS.

Bad Points: Engine a little weak and not as economical as expected in the city, but at least is clean related to the environment. Maybe an 75hp petrol engine is more suitable.

Your Review: Very good package for its price (3yr warranty unlimited km, A/C, automatic windows). Nice to drive in town on small streets, and also in traffic. Comfortable in the long trips (I recently drove 4300km in 2 weeks going to Greece). Very good for small young families.

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): 4

PR16: 1.0 S Manual

Reviewer: Andrew Mockridge
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.0 S Manual
Model Year: 2005
Ownership: 6 - 12 months

Good points: It drives nicely, very economical, cheap to buy and run. Comfortable, surprisingly roomy inside, very smart interior design, lots of headroom; driving position is very good, easy to get in and out of.

Bad Points: Fiddly 3rd party radio/CD, indicator stalk on the wrong side, no clock (except if radio correctly setup and left switched on).

Your Review: Overall I'm very pleased with the car. It ticks all the right boxes for good cheap motoring, and its a very pleasant car to live with day in day out.

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): 4

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PR15: 1.1 LX Manual

Reviewer: No Name
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 LX Manual
Model Year: 2004
Ownership: 1 - 4 weeks

Good points: Fun and cheap to drive

Bad Points: Key remote button in wrong place

Your Review: I changed from a 4x4 to be able to afford a smaller car and found myself wishing i had bought a Picanto ages ago. I am 6ft 7ins and love driving my new car, my 14 yr daughter loves it too much, it's mine!

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

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PR14: 1.1 LX Automatic

Reviewer: Lee Onslow
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 LX Automatic
Model Year: 2004
Ownership: 6 -12 months

Good points: It starts without fuss. Good access via all doors, Supportive seats, Controls well laid out*, Effective storage and cubby areas, variable speed wipers are a nice touch. Overdive function is a good feature. Engine consumable items easy to access. Light bonnet. Great fold down seats (just like the Pug 205 used to be)

Bad Points: Poor fuel consumption for a small auto (urban). More rake needed for steering wheel, Coolant temp light could be much brighter (non adjustable ilumination) A boot 12v dc socket an omission (for my solar panels) KIA please adopt euro convention on *steering wheel stalks! Stereo a bit naff, doesn't play MP3's and the fascia panel doesn't come off. Air con could be stronger (ie colder). Auto locking could be set for a longer period, Key remote function could be put on the flat rather than on the edge of the key fob.

Creep function tends to grab from a non gas 'on' start.

Your Review: I needed a small car with an auto box in a hurry. The Picanto looks the part and does have an edge over others that cost more. On balance I do feel a little let down. Even my wife commented on its distinct lack of engine power or torque. Also she needs a booster cushion to see above the high binnacle. Some soft feel plastics, a beefier engine, plus swapping those infernal stalks to euro convention would make this car even better. Nice try Kia, but you could do better.

Just roll out the Diesel Auto!

Comfort (marks out of 5): 3
Reliability (marks out of 5): 3
Economy (marks out of 5): 2
Performance (marks out of 5): 2
Overall (marks out of 5): 3

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PR13: 1.1 LX Automatic

Reviewer: Kate Skillett
Country: UK and Ireland
Model: 1.1 LX Automatic
Model Year: 2006
Ownership: 1 - 4 weeks

Good points: Economical, Comfortable and Sexy!!!

Bad Points:

Your Review: I bought PJ, my second Hippicanto after deciding that my confidence in Henry, my first Hippicanto, was not as it should be following an accident in the first month of ownership.

PJ is beautiful, he is dressed in metallic black and adorned with pink hibiscus flowers. Fully automatic the drive is amazing, the fuel economy superb and I am definitely smitten with this car!

Sadly, after 4 days of ownership I got a screw in my front tyre, don't ask me how - I think maybe thats for another blog. Anyway, one call to the dealership and they came out with a spare wheel kit - yes, you can get one, and it does fit under the boot mat!

The new wheel was fitted and the 'old' tyre stowed for inspection. You guessed it, it was not repairable but at a low cost of around £30 I now have a spare AND of course the strange stuff supplied with my Picanto to get you home if you get a puncture!!

Sizewise my Picanto is just right - they may seem small on the outside by my partner who is tall can drive PJ with ease.

The usual plusses apply - for the one price the Picanto comes as standard, MP3 player, electric windows, air-conditioning, little compartment under the passenger seat for my atlas and glasses case on the drivers side for my spare pair!

The boot is big enough for my needs and if anyone out there still thinks the Picanto is THAT small - I have transported a full size body workout machine home in mine, when my daughter won it on Ebay!

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

Additional Comments: I have photos of my new boy - but cannot see where to put them in this review?

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