Used Kia Picanto cars for sale

The Kia Picanto has been on UK roads since 2003 and, while the basic formula has remained the same, the new car is a world away from its predecessors. Quality is much improved, with the Picanto now feeling as mature and as well-built as bigger and more expensive machines. The latest car has plenty of trim levels available, and there’s a choice of three- and five-door body styles.

Measuring less than 3.6 metres in length, the Kia Picanto is ideal if you want to sneak into tight car parking spaces or if you have a tiny driveway. So it might come as a surprise that four adults can comfortably fit in the Picanto. Incidentally, most Picantos come with four seats, although a select few trim levels get five seats.

Don’t expect van-like boot space but, considering its size, the Picanto’s boot is very impressive. It’s class-leading, in fact, at 255 litres. That’ll be plenty for a couple of small suitcases or the weekly shop at a pinch, as long as you don’t go mad on middle-aisle specials.

In a small car like this, you don’t need a big engine with lots of power. The two petrol engines bring cheap refuelling costs and cheap insurance costs, so the Picanto makes lots of sense if you want to cut your bills without cutting out the must-haves. On either engine, you can choose a manual or an automatic gearbox, although the auto isn’t the most sophisticated and can feel hesitant.

The Picanto is one of the smallest and cheapest cars on sale. If you're thinking that means a bargain-basement ownership experience, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The little Kia makes a great first impression with its practicality – five doors are standard and some models come equipped with five seats, which is rare among tiny city cars. Plus, those seats are actually big enough for passengers to use and, while space isn't exactly generous, you can feasibly seat adults in the rear row.

Then there's the driving experience which, again, is impressive for such a small car. It's firmer than the closely related Hyundai i10, but it feels a little more sporty in the corners as a result. The entry-level petrol engine does its best work around town, but the larger 1.25-litre or turbocharged 1.0T units are a better choice if you do more motorway driving.

Kia has established a strong reputation for reliability and, as one of the simplest cars in its range, the Picanto should prove to be durable over time. This is backed up by the company's seven-year factory warranty, which is one of the longest in the market.

Adding an extended warranty will give you even more coverage once the factory warranty expires. This will save you the expense of unexpected repair costs.

Yes. The Kia Picanto has two Isofix points, both of which are on the outer rear seats. This will let you mount a compatible child seat without having to use the seatbelt.

Kia Picanto models have either four or five seats depending on the options equipped. All versions have the same two front seats, with either two or three seats across the rear bench. Both rear bench designs look quite similar but you can tell them apart by the number of seatbelts fitted.

The Picanto might not be the coolest first car, but it's a very sensible option for new drivers. Almost all Picantos come up between insurance groups four and seven, putting them among the cheapest models to insure in the UK.

Plus, the little Kia has a good reputation for reliability, affordable parts and servicing, and is easy to drive – without so much power that an inexperienced motorist might lose control. Drive sensibly and you'll also be rewarded with wallet-friendly fuel costs.