• Interior design getting on
• It’s still attractive and user-friendly
• Plenty of physical switchgear

How is the quality and layout?

Not much has changed for the 2024 facelift, which is good because we rather like the Picanto’s interior – it’s very straightforward and easy to get to grips with. Dominating the dashboard is an 8.0-inch infotainment system that sits perfectly positioned atop the dashboard to be well within your eyeline but without compromising visibility or distracting the driver.

Lower down you’ll find a climate control panel that could hardly be more straightforward, while additional controls can be found in front of the gear lever. There are some pleasing design touches, such as posh-looking upright air vents and a full-width trim strip that makes the cabin feel wider than it is.

It is resolutely monochrome, though, with the only colour coming from the seat upholstery on higher-up models. Sporty GT-Line S cars get red detailing, for example. And while build quality feels rock-solid, those downsizing from a larger car might not be best pleased with the amount of hard plastic around – though that’s again something shared with all the Picanto’s main rivals. Certainly, it’s the equal of the Toyota Aygo X, and feels a good bit more substantial than a Suzuki Ignis.

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Infotainment and tech

Even the lowest spec ‘2’ model gets a 4.2-inch driver’s information screen to replace the conventional dials of the outgoing entry level cars. This is no bad thing, because the display is simple and pleasing to the eye, and isn’t affected by direct sunlight.

All models get a six-speaker sound system connected to an 8.0-inch infotainment set-up. We think this is the best available in a city car right now – it’s fully featured, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a seven-year subscription to Kia’s ‘UVO’ connected services. More importantly it’s slick and very simple to use.

For top-spec cars, sat-nav is built in and you even get an induction charging pad for your smartphone.

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Comfort

• Lots of adjustment in driving position
• Ample space for all occupants
• Rear-seat passengers are well catered for

It’s hard to argue with comfort levels given the Kia Picanto’s size. Drivers of all sizes are catered for with plenty of adjustment in the seat. It’s a shame the wheel only adjusts for rake and not reach, but all of our testers were able to get comfortable. Opt for a GT-Line S and you even get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, which are a real boon on cold winter days.

We like how the rear windows roll down all the way – a huge contrast to most rivals, which either utilise pokey pop-out rear windows or else wind halfway down and stop. It’s a very nice place to be, considering it’s the rear seat of a city car.