Verdict
The Kia Picanto has matured from being a cheap and cheerful runabout that attracted grey pounds and scrappage schemers to a supermini that moves the game on and offers more beyond its inherent value.

Expert rating: 3.6

Pros
• Mature styling
• Surprising refinement
• Great packaging

Cons
• Boot is small and awkwardly shaped
• 'Eco' version isn't sub-100g/km
• Some still struggle with brand image

1. Exterior: 3/5
The Picanto is stylish but doesn't have the character of the Fiat 500. But it's fresh recognisable, while all cars get body-coloured bumpers, front fog lamps and 14-inch alloys, so there are no poverty spec examples. In September, Kia will launch its first ever three-door Picanto.

2. Interior: 3/5
The cabin of the new Picanto offers much more style and sophistication than its predecessor. Cabin plastics are not yet soft-touch, but the grade is a much better quality and Kia has kept the upholstery understated, mature and classy.

3. Practicality: 4/5
The Picanto offers a staggering amount of space for such a tiny footprint. Ergonomics are excellent all round and drivers get a height-adjustable seat, rake and reach-adjustable steering wheel and even space to rest your clutch foot. However, rear leg room might have fully grown adults complaining after a long stint plus the boot is narrow and its lip awkwardly high.

4. Ride and handling: 3/5
The Picanto has been designed predominantly for urban action, so it benefits from light, responsive steering and a decent turning circle. Both our test cars rode on optional 15-inch alloys (14s are standard) giving a compliant and comfortable ride. Couple this with the mechanical refinement, particularly of the bigger 1.2-litre petrol, and the Kia Picanto is an infectious little car to drive. Just don't expect a sports car around the corners.

5. Performance: 3/5
The entry-level Picanto has a new 68bhp 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine. The 0-62mph time of 13.9 seconds sounds slow, but it's rather enjoyable listening to that characteristic three-cylinder thrum while trying to extract this car's modest performance. For those who need more go, there's an 84bhp 1.25-litre petrol version with more torque plus impressive mechanical refinement. This model can also be specced as 'Ecodynamic,' with stop-start as standard.

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6. Running costs: 5/5
The entry-level Picanto is a lesson in frugality. After the cheap sticker price, it also offers 67.3mpg on the combined cycle plus 99g/km of CO2. With a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, you're safe in the knowledge that nothing can really bite you.

7. Reliability: 5/5
The Picanto represents the greatest expression of hassle-free motoring. Although this is a new model, the previous Picanto was voted the UK's most reliable new car by consumer champions Which? with a commendable 98.1 per cent. Enough said.

8. Safety: 3/5
The Picanto gets six airbags and stability control as standard, and although EuroNCAP has not crash tested the car yet, it is expected to receive a four-star rating.

9. Equipment: 3/5
Trim levels range simply from 1-3, entry-level 1 foregoing electric rear windows and air conditioning. Trim level '3' gets pricey but includes big car features like hill-start assist. From September, there will also be the '1 Air' with air-con in a package priced between '1' and '2'

10. Why buy? 4/5
Previously, the budget supermini was a bit like TV series Mad Men: universally praised by the experts but buried in the listings somewhere, such is the fierce competition of this segment. Now both car and brand are finally getting the attention and recognition it deserves.