Not any more, as the company has delivered a new version boasting greater levels of refinement, better performance, improved cabin and boot space, family-car levels of safety kit, and economy and emissions low enough to rival pushbikes.
Essentially, this latest generation Picanto is a mature and sophisticated interpretation of the classic city car. It's still small enough to drive around town and slot into impossibly tight parking spaces, but now has the ride and handling qualities of something much bigger.
The same is true of the car's cabin, which is now more accommodating — thanks to a fractionally longer wheelbase — and furnished with noticeably higher grade materials. It's also a more stylish environment, which does much to distance the Picanto from the unadventurous stereotype of Korean cars.
At the Picanto's core is a duo of small-capacity petrol engines and impressive headline economy and emissions figures. Buyers get a choice of 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre units with a five-speed manual gearbox and the option of a four-speed auto. In standard trim the three-cylinder 1.0 motor outputs 69bhp and the bigger unit manages 85bhp, while economy for the entry-level car is 4.2 litres-per-100km.
In practice the 1.0-litre Picanto will easily keep pace with traffic, hold its own at highway speeds and tackle corners with the maturity of something produced in Europe. This little city car is now all grown up, and its performance is easily a match for anything in the same class.
What's most impressive is the three-cylinder motor. A willing performer that never becomes raucous even when pushed hard, its flexible nature ensures smooth progress at urban speeds and there's always enough in reserve for the occasional traffic light grand prix and out-of-town adventure.
Kia's generous warranty is another plus and there's the Picanto's seven — yes, seven — airbags. Granted, you hope never to use them, but that's still a few more than most and enough to rival a Dh200K BMW.
Verdict
For a small car, the Picanto makes a big impression. And while that's partly down to its looks, on closer inspection you'll see a mature city car. It's bang up to date in terms of kit and performance, and economy couldn't be better. With the Picanto, Kia's desire to make waves in the small car market has only just begun.
Specs
Model Picanto
Engine 1.0-litre three-cylinder
Transmission Five-speed manual, FWD
Max power 69bhp @ 6,200rpm
Max torque 95Nm @ 3,500rpm
Top speed 153kph
0-100kph 14.4sec
Price Dh48K (UK)
Plus Huge improvement, economy, equipment
Minus Gearbox, performance
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