From luxury SUVs to everyday city cars. This week, Al Suttie puts the small but mighty Kia Picanto to the test.

Kia Picanto 1.0 GT-Line

List price (BiK): £15,335 (28%) CO2: 115g/km Economy: 55.4mpg Test efficiency: 48.8mpg

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Monday

A neighbour made the quip “that’s a bit of a comedown” when he saw the Kia Picanto residing where last week’s Range Rover Sport had been parked. To some eyes, that might be the case, but I’ve been a fan of this generation of Picanto since it was launched in 2017. Will the intervening seven years change that view? The coming week will tell all.

Tuesday

The Picanto is certainly a comedown in the height of its driving position compared to a Range Rover Sport, but there’s nothing wrong with its comfort. The steering wheel only adjusts for angle, not reach, but it doesn’t bother me and a long drive down to the Scottish Borders this morning was perfectly comfortable. There’s also good vision in every direction and the Kia is stable, even on a blustery motorway.

Wednesday

I have to hand it to Kia, the dash of the Picanto is a masterstroke. The infotainment screen is ideally placed and functions well – quick and easy to use. Better still, there are separate rotary dials for the heating and ventilation that remind me of the original Ford Focus, and few bettered that for easy usability. Add in clear dials, heated seats and steering wheel controls with well-defined functions, and the Picanto is a very good example of getting a cabin just right.

Thursday

Another longer drive this morning but in freer flowing traffic than Tuesday’s. This shows up the 66hp of the 1.0-litre cylinder engine is only just sufficient in the Picanto. Ask for a bit more to overtake slower vehicles on an A-road and it begins to strain. Granted, this is a city car first and foremost, but an extra 15bhp and a sixth gear for more laid-back cruising would both be most welcome.

Friday

The GT-Line trim of the car I have this week brings such pleasantries as a reversing camera (not strictly needed in a car where I can reach back and touch the parcel shelf), rear privacy glass and 16-inch alloy wheels. It also has the GT-Line body kit, which perks up the looks, while this Picanto’s lease proposition makes it one of the cheapest you’ll find.

Saturday

Various errands have seen the Kia and me zipping around town today and further afield to a couple of nearby villages. This is where the Picanto excels. In town, the ride is firmer than a Volkswagen Up’s, but I’ll take that for the added control it offers on country roads. Direct steering gives more feel than you’d expect too, and the engine that’s underpowered on the motorway delights in being revved freely through the gears.

Sunday

Yesterday’s exuberance has resulted in a lower-than-initially-hoped for average fuel economy for the week. However, I suspect the 48.8mpg figure compared to the official 55.4mpg is more to do with two longer motorway journeys through the week. These are not the Picanto’s forte, yet it undertook them with good grace, so this is a city car that holds its head up high in any company in my view.