Kia Picanto• Available from £7,995
• 1-litre emits 99g/km of CO2
• Well-equipped 2 and 3 trim levels

The successor to the popular Kia Picanto supermini goes on sale in the UK on June 17 promising better performance and economy, from £7,995.

Kia Picanto gallery:


Kia Picanto

It features bolder styling with a wide lower grille, big headlamps and prominent front fog lights. The curves of the old car are gone, replaced with angular edges and muscular wheelarches.

The first cars on sale will be five-door models, but the Picanto will also be available as a three-door for the first time, arriving later this year.

Two petrol engines will be available – either a 1-litre with 68bhp or a 1.25-litre giving 84bhp and available as a standard or EcoDynamics model.

The 1-litre averages 67.3mpg and emits 99g/km of CO2, making it free to tax and London Congestion Charge exempt. Buy the bigger engine in EcoDynamics trim and it manages 65.7mpg and 100g/km of CO2, compared with 60.1mpg and 109g/km of CO2 for the standard 1.25-litre.

Trim levels are called 1, 1 Air, 2 and 3 with a radio/CD player, trip computer and six airbags fitted as standard. The 1 Air model offers air-con, while 2 adds Bluetooth, iPod control, folding door mirrors, rear electric windows, 14-inch alloys, front fog lights, a leather steering wheel, alarm, enhanced upholstery and chrome exterior trim. The range-topping £11,195 3 is only available with the bigger engine and has auto air-con, heated front seats, six-speaker stereo, 15-inch alloys, auto headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights.

By Andy Goodwin, senior web journalist