IT was the car aimed at the Sex and the City and Friends generation.
The Kia Picanto was targeted at hip singles and happening young couples when it was launched in 2004.
And the clever marketing of this 'cute and fun' budget motor really worked.
So far more than 38,000 people in the UK have splashed out on a Picanto which can be picked up for as little as £5,995.
Yet despite the success, Kia has not been content to rest on its laurels. The canny Koreans have now upgraded their top selling model for 2008 to take advantage of a continuing boom in small car sales, as more buyers downsize to cut costs and damage to the planet.
I've just tried the 1.1-litre model and found the overhaul subtle but effective.
Looks wise, the car has adopted a similar striking radiator grille to that on the Kia Carens and cee'd. There is also a new front bumper and wings, bonnet and headlamps that give the motor a fresher and more contemporary appearance.
Inside has improved too, with the introduction of an all black dash and door trims, while the well laid out instrument panels are now stylishly backlit in orange.
Despite the price, the Picanto also comes with a long list of standard equipment that includes electric windows, power steering, tinted glass, anti-lock brakes and a CD player with MP3 player.
You are never going to get supreme luxury with any budget car. But the interior is certainly comfortable enough, particularly the full cloth seat trim and leather wrapped steering wheel and gearstick.
As before, the Picanto is available with a choice of two efficient clean petrol engines, the 1.0-litre 61bhp unit and the 1.1-litre version offering an extra 3bhp.
I had the bigger engine and found the car nippy enough for city driving and pretty decent on long journeys back to the suburbs after the working day.
The 0-62mph time of 15 seconds sounds painfully slow, but never actually felt too snail-like.
And the fuel consumption figure of 53mpg says all you need to know about its green credentials.
You have to be careful with the handling of some small cars, as they can feel almost dangerously lightweight when cornering or tackling bends.
But the Picanto sticks to the road well, with a smooth five-speed gearbox making it nimble and easy to drive and it can also be parked in the tightest of spaces.
Of course, the greatest draw is the fact that it is a five door where most of its competitors offer just three. Space is obviously a little tight inside, but there is enough room for four average sized adults and the boot has 157 litres of capacity. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, this rises to an impressive 880 litres.
The TV series of both Sex and the City and Friends came to the end of the road a couple of years ago. But you get the feeling the Kia Picanto could be around for a long time to come.
FAST FACTS
Kia Picanto Ice 1.1 5dr
Price: £6,995
Mechanical: 64bhp, 1,086cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 96 mph
0-62mph: 15.1 secs
Combined mpg: 53.3
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: 126g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 3yrs paint, 6yrs anti-rust