If you want a reliable little run-around, then can I recommend the Kia Picanto?
Even if you need it to do a little more than just local hops, like a dozen university round trips each year, complete with duvets, lava lamps and whatever else the modern student requires; I would still recommend the Kia Picanto.
If you take this advice, then your conversation with a salesman may go something like this.
“What equipment does it come with?”
“Well, this is the entry level Picanto 1. So it comes with electric front windows and an MP3 compatible radio.”
“Does the radio cut out intermittently like on other Kias?”
“Sometimes. And then there’s locks of course. Manual locks – all round."
“Hmmm. Air con?”
“A four speed fan that brings in hot air in the winter and really hot air in the summer. This little car really takes you back to the glory days of motoring in that respect. And of course the nice thing is there’s really nothing to go wrong. And even if it did go wrong, much of it will be covered by the 7 year warranty.”
“Does anyone buy them?”
“Over 38,000 have been bought in the UK.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Let me take you for a spin and show you why.”
And you should take that test drive. Because this tidly car has some strong qualities.
It’s 1.0 engine has enough guts to spin its wheels in town in order that you can pull out into small passing traffic gaps. Plus it is so small that parking is as easy as it is in a Smart car.
Then, out of town, it will wind its self up to speed seemingly more easily than something like a Suzuki Alto before cruising alongside much bigger cars at surprising motorway speeds. And the level of refinement at those speeds will amaze you.
Plus, it will do all of this while achieving a genuine mpg in the 40s.
In many ways the Picanto has that same blend of qualities that made the Nissan Micra such a hugely popular car with mums, students and elderly bridge players. Four adults can pile in and the boot will happily accommodate 157 litres of luggage. That’s like being able to take 39 bottle of Evian each. So there is no denying that this car is practical.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The gear change feels a bit notty and the engine a bit tinny at low speed. The seats are unremarkable (or perhaps I should say there are better seats in other small cars). And it’s a very conservative design.
But overall, if you spend a little time with it, the Picanto will put a small on your face. Whether it’s enough to make you reach for your wallet and put down a deposit depends on whether you feel on balance it’s value for money.
What’s the market like?
There are usually around 700 available on the used market at any time. The nearly new prices are around £7,000, saving you £500-£1,500 depending on the specification.
Equally there are 5 year old cars that come in at £3,000. But be careful – some have alarmingly high mileages for such a little car. A testimony to it’s ability to cruise on the motorway, but also moving it closer to the 100,000 mile limit on the warranty and lots of repair bills.
Check UsedCarExpert’s real average mileages before you buy. A 5 year old for example, at the time of writing, should be around 36,000, but we have seen them up at 80,000 and it would be easy to buy a 50,000 mile car if you didn’t use our unique price and mileage tool.
What else can this budget buy?
The list of little cars that we have found both nippy in town and refined on the motorway is a short one.
There’s the Peugeot 107 (which also means the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 but we’d have the Peugeot as you’ll see if you search for that review). And there’s the Nissan Micra.
The Micra is the marginally better car, but a 3 year old 5 door 1.2 litre example with average mileage of 22,000 is £5,000. That’s £400 more than a Kia with nearly identical mileage, and I don’t know how well off you are, but £400 is not a marginal saving.
Summary
The Kia Picanto is basic but effective. If you want a small car that offers predictable, low running costs and an easy life, it has to be on the short list.