Kia Picanto 1.25 Petrol

Average score for the 1.25 Petrol:

8.010

based on 10 expert reviews

The Kia Picanto 1.25 Petrol reviews are nearly all excellent, the general consensus is that it's a nice engine in a a great car.

The vast majority of the road tests appear to be very positive towards the flagship Kia Picanto model. Quite a few critics like its abilities in both town and on the open road, along with the affordable running costs and adequate performance on offer. That being said, it is noticeably more expensive to buy than the entry level 1.0 Picanto, even in the most basic trim level.

Thanks to the extra power over the 1.0, the larger 1.25 four cylinder motor does feel a bit stronger, and is adequate enough for the class standard. However, the engine is also noticeably more refined than the starter Picanto model, especially at higher speeds, and is a bit smoother as well.

It’s quite cheap to run too, especially with the EcoDynamics pack which ups fuel economy from 60 to 65 mpg, and reduces CO2 levels to a tax free 100g/km output.

There are some downsides, though. For starters, the EcoDynamics model is only available on the mid-spec ‘2’ trim level, and is on the pricey side – not only is it more expensive to buy than the 1.0 model, but there are also highly competitive rivals with similar price tags.

Overall, it’s a great little car with the 1.25 motor, and is certainly worth considering if you don’t spend too much time driving in built up areas. However, if that’s not the case, then we’d recommend having a look at the smaller 1.0 unit as well.