The smart-looking interior is well equipped in mid-range 2 trim up, although you’ll need to seek out higher-spec 3 trim for the best infotainment system. With room for four adults and a good-sized boot, the Picanto is more practical than most rivals, too, trouncing the Fiat 500 and Toyota Aygo.
Meanwhile, there’s lots to like about the way the Picanto drives, with sharper handling than the Hyundai i10 and good refinement, plus nippy performance from any of its frugal petrol engines around town. The more powerful 1.25-litre version is ideal if you do regular motorway miles.
We’d look for a 2018 Picanto 1.0 in 2 trim for about £6000, which is tremendous value and gives it the edge over its rivals. It will still have four years of Kia’s market-leading warranty left – not that most owners will need it, given that the Picanto proved soundly reliable in our latest survey.