SMALL cars are getting bigger. It's true - the family hatchback is growing, with the admirable new Fiat Punto, knowingly dubbed Grande by its makers, and the new Renault Clio, European car of the year, both adding on the inches.
The Volkswagen Polo is another example of a motor that has grown in each of its incarnations.
Indeed, the latest Polo is larger than the original version of the car above it in the model range, the Golf.
They are not the only ones to increase in size model-on-model, but there are still some pint-sized motors to be had, with the Kia Picanto aiming to shine brightest among the little gems.
The south Korean manufacturer seems to have struck a chord with the car-buying public here. I've seen a fair sprinkling of Picantos on the road, due no doubt to a combination of cute TV advertising, low purchase price and good specification. Indeed, Kia tell me the Picanto was their best-seller last year, with 12,000 bought in the UK .
Among the small-is-beautiful brigade, the Picanto is up against the Fiat Panda and the Chevrolet Matiz, both of which I've driven, and the likes of the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107. The first two have much to recommend them, not least the Panda's great driving experience, so how would the Picanto match up in its week-long road test?
Breezy
My car was a top-of-the-range 1.1-litre SE+ model, resplendent in that best-of-all small car colours, bright and breezy red, with bumpers, door handles and mirrors, and front grille all colour-coded to match.
Resting on 14in alloy wheels, the motor's exterior styling is confident and purposeful. With deep doors promising safety and protection, the high, curved roofline hints at interior space, while the flick-up at the rear of the side windows helps give a dynamic line.
Inside, that promise of space is fulfilled, as the five-door Picanto pulls off a Tardis-like transformation for a car that is just 3.5 metres long.
The cabin feels quite airy, helping the driver's sensations of ease and security and, while boot space is limited with the rear seat-back in place (it splits 60/40), once it is down there is decent capacity - the car easily swallowed up a tumble drier!
MP3
Equipment included the kind of gear that was found only on executive motors not too many years ago, with air-conditioning, combined CD/radio and MP3 player, powered windows front and back, electrically-operated and heated door mirrors and leather-and-cloth combined seat trim.
Hi-tech safety features included the usual airbags, plus anti-lock disc brakes and electronic brake-force distribution.
The driving experience was confidence- inspiring, with a positive five-speed manual gearbox, light clutch and responsive brakes. The engine was nimble and even proved decently long-legged on the motorway, but the Picanto is at its best around town, where it felt nippy, agile and easy to park.
I've driven other Kias - the big 4x4 Sorento, its smaller brother, the Sportage, and the Focus-sized Cerato - and each had a feeling of integrity and good value for money. The Picanto continues in that vein, the starting price of £5,695 having particular wallet-appeal.
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