With its new rounded looks, Kia's Picanto taps into a retro world of simpler and more honest motoring, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
Cute looks will get you far. Take the Fiat 500. Its looks played a decisive part in garnering it the coveted Car of the Year title for Europe. The head may harbour a few questions about the choice, but the heart is already beating to the tune of Dean Martin's "That's amore".
The Italians aren't alone in playing on looks and nostalgia. Mini did it several years ago, and since then virtually every car firm has tried to replicate it in small car offerings.
The importance of cute looks and nostalgia in the small car market is simple: if customers can't persuade themselves there is an element of taste in the purchasing mix, then all they are buying is the motorised version of a washing machine or fridge. When the deal lacks emotion, it becomes strictly financial.
For companies like Kia, however, there's not much nostalgia to play on. War-ravaged Korea of the 1950s was not exactly full of la bella vita. It's hard to market happy motoring amid the landmines.
So they opt for anthropomorphism: turning a lump of metal into something akin to a pet. Kia's approach has been to play up the Picanto's puppy-dog looks. The previous version was positively cuddly. This time, Kia is hoping to mimic some of the rounded cuteness of the 500. And good luck to them.
Our problem with the rush to retro design is that it misses the point of the growth in motoring nostalgia. The buyers aren't trying to relive their youth: many were not even born then. What they are looking for is a return to simpler times; some honesty from their cars.
City cars don't pretend to improve your manhood, cover up your bald patch, or replace your beer belly with a six-pack. They don't falsely cosset you in luxury either. In clothing parlance, it's not an Armani suit, nor a pair of Jimmy Choos. It's a decent pair of Penny's corduroys.
This is back to basics motoring. Of course, they come with the requisite safety gadgets like anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brakeforce distribution (EBD), but the essence is closer to Henry Ford than Bill Gates.
That honesty also means it's easier to spot problems than on other cars filled with distractions. This is the second generation of Kia's city car, sold in its home market under the cheery moniker of Kia Morning. Along with its "rounder looks", Kia has increased the size of the car, adding 40mm in length, used on a longer rear bumper and front nose. The latter feature is not just for aesthetics and better crash protection. It may just signal a future right-hand-drive diesel version.
For now two engines are on offer: a 1-litre and a 1.1-litre. Our recommendation would be the smaller of the two, as there is no sensible reason for opting for the larger engine, except that it's the only powertrain on offer in the top specification EX. An automatic 1.1-litre version is also on offer, but best avoided.
The good news is that the Picanto's four-cylinder engines are more refined - if you can use that word about city cars - than the three-cylinder powertrains in several of its rivals.
We tested the 1.1-litre and, while its official performance figures are less than inspiring, it feels eager enough in lower gears, fighting its way through city traffic. Out in suburbia it can also keep the pace if pushed, but on national roads it starts to show its limitations, and it's best not to stray too often into the overtaking lane of the motorway.
If you do, and something goes wrong, the Picanto comes with two front airbags. That's not exactly a wealth of support and we would have liked to see some side airbags. Its predecessor had a three-star rating and there's no reason to think this car won't match it. However, it should be noted that while three stars is the current norm for this class, the Renault Twingo has four, while the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107 - and therefore the Toyota Aygo - have recorded the top five-star rating.
The Picanto interior is functional and the high seating position offers good visibility - better than several rivals. Little things like the big-buttoned radio stand out for compliment, along with its MP3/iPod capability. It's easy to use, and arguably more intuitive than some of the stereos found in cars 10 times the price.
Another impressive feature is the boot space. While the regular format 152 litres is hardly cavernous, the rear seats fold flat to offer a very impressive 882 litres. Rear seat legroom is adequate for the odd time you have to carry passengers, but this is no family car.
One annoying feature with this car was the remote locking system, which operates using a single button on the side of the key. Press once to lock and once to unlock. Hit it accidentally and the Kia lies open while you walk away.
For a car firm that wasn't in the small car market five years ago, Kia has done remarkably well with the Picanto. And the Korean's success is not reserved for the small car stage. While sales still lag behind sister firm Hyundai, the brand has recorded stellar growth in the past two years. Back in 2001, Kia sold a grand total of 165 new cars in 12 months in Ireland. Last year they finished with 3,790 sales. By anyone's standards that's pretty impressive growth, helped in no small part by a rapidly improved model line-up.
Starting at €11,995, the Picanto offers a competitive town runaround. It's relatively cute and is likely to be reliable. In terms of its competitors, there's only really the Renault Twingo or Toyota Aygo that would win us away from the Picanto at present. The Toyota badge on the Aygo is worth a few euro extra on resale, but the Picanto seems a little more refined than its Japanese rival. Arguably the greatest threat may come from sister firm Hyundai and its new i10 model, due for Irish launch next weekend at the Motors Live event in the RDS, Dublin.
There is an argument for ignoring the supermini market entirely, and using the money to buy a bigger used car. As a friend constantly reminds me when I'm testing city cars, for the same money, he could get me a really good VW Golf or Ford Focus. But he's missing the point. Many buyers opt for a new car due to the greater degree of peace of mind it offers. He's also missing the argument over the entire cost of ownership. A second-hand Ford Focus may come at the same price, but it will use more fuel and cost more to tax and insure. After all, for the same money as this Picanto I could pick up a Maserati Coupé 222se from 1992, or one of 23 Porsches on sale across Ireland at present for under €14,000.
One of these will certainly make more impact on the driveway. The problem is that if something goes wrong - as it eventually will - that's where it will spend most of its time. They will cost a lot more to fix than the service bill on a new Picanto. That's before you ever think about pulling up on a forecourt.
That's what makes these little cars so financially attractive. In particular, from July 1st, people will be looking at the cost benefits from lower fuel consumption and emissions. Supermini sales may well rise as a result. The 1.1-litre EX version is expensive at nearly €14,000 but, with an entry model at just under €12,000 and that price likely to fall on the back of lower VRT tax from July 1st, the Picanto starts to makes a lot of sense.
Factfile
ENGINE:A 1086cc four-cylinder SOHC (12 valves), with five-speed manual transmission putting out 64bhp @ 5,500rpm and 97Nm of torque @ 2,800rpm.
SPECIFICATION:Standard features include: ABS with EBD; two front airbags; electric front windows; ISOFIX child seat anchors; power steering; radio/CD. Higher levels include: remote central locking and alarm; front foglights. EX version adds: 14" alloys; USB and iPod connector; electric door mirrors; leather steering wheel and gear knob; metal pedals; rear electric windows.
L/100km (mpg):Urban: 6.5 (43.5); Extra-urban: 4.4 (64.2); Combined: 5.2 (54.3).
CO2 emissions:118g/km.
Tax band from July 1st:VRT - 14 per cent; annual road tax - €100.
Current price:€13,495
(starts at €11,995 for 1.0 L).