Kia Picanto

Another string to Kia's steadily growing bow. We didn't make it our 2011 Bargain Car of the Year for nothing- it's all you'll ever need from a city car.

• Comfort

  There's something intelligent and very grown-up about this car's ride. Nice damping means a smooth ride. It might not be the most exciting, but it's reassuring.

  

• Performance

  You get the choice of two engines: the entry-level 68bhp 1.0-litre three pot, or the 1.25-litre four-cylinder with 84bhp. They're both fizzy little units and more than adequate to stretch from busy town to motorway cruising. Cabin is nicely insulated, which helps.

  

• Cool

  Makes strides over its dowdy and incomparable predecessor. 

  

• Quality

  You get the sense that everything is very solidly stuck together in the new Picanto, and it does feel very grown up.

  

• Handling

  The steering is nice and light, but the whole thing feels more solid than it's bargain status suggests. It's got softish front springs to absorb whacks around town, stiffish rear beam to keep things tidy through corners, and extremely capable brakes.

  

• Practicality

  200 litres with the seats up and 600 with them folded is a marked improvement over the old car, and there's tonnes of space front and back. You can also choose between three and five door models too.

  

• Running costs

  Seven year warranties mean absolute hassle-free motoring, as does 67mpg (for the 1.0-litre) and sub 100g/km of CO2 on a range of trim options. Cheap as chips.