| Overall Rating |
 |
|
| Description |
| Picanto is the nearest rival to Fiat's Panda: it's modern, small but high-roofed, ideally suited to the city, and cheap to buy and run. It's also more distinctive-looking, with its cute eye-like headlights. |
|
| Handling |
|
|
| Comfort |
|
|
| Quality & Reliability |
|
|
| Performance |
|
|
| Roominess |
 |
|
| Running Costs |
|
|
| Value for Money |
 |
|
| Stereo/Sat Nav |
 |
|
| NCAP |
|
| Best Models |
| 1.1 diesel |
| Worst Models |
| 1.1 petrol |
| Replacement |
|
|
 |
| Road Test |
| Picanto is very competitively priced and will be very cheap to run. And it's desirable for more than just its cost-cutting credentials it's nippy and willing for urban driving, as well as managing to keep up comfortably at motorway speeds, so it makes a thoroughly competent all-round purchase. The cabin is versatile, and the load space usable. But minus points for the standard painted bumpers: not ideal for city users. Three-cylinder 1.0 and four-cylinder 1.1 petrol engines are offered, with a diesel set to join the range in 2005. The 1.0 is perfectly adequate, though. Equipment levels are high, with a good safety features, and its modern bodyshell should stand up well in the event of a crash. It's not quite as much fun as a Charade to drive, but it does feel more substantial; it is also more stable-feeling and confidence-inspiring than tall mini-MPVs like the Vauxhall Agila. |
| Positive Points |
- Very cheap to buy and run
- Roomy and practical for its size
- Good warranty; likely to be reliable
|
| Negative Points |
- Rivals are livelier and nicer to drive
- Uneven ride at higher speeds
- Not much shoulder room for larger adults
|
|
Sign In | Sell My Car » 
