Pint-sized hero

those monster trucks are to drive.

Cars are getting bigger and we are driving more big cars… Anyone who’s spent time on the school run recently will tell you that. Not only are we buying more SUVs - high riding 4x4 lookalikes – but small cars just aren’t small anymore. The modern-day Polo is larger than the original 1974 VW Golf.

The result of all this upscaling is that daily we have to meander our way through narrow streets and car park spaces not designed for our supersized vehicles. It’s only when you step into a genuinely compact car that you realise how stressful

Small cars are fun and completely liberating in and around town. They squeeze into the tightest of spaces and breeze round multistorey car parks. They’re also cheap, pretty practical and fun to drive.

The leaders of the pack are the VW Up (and it’s VW-group siblings from Seat and Skoda), Hyundai’s little i10 and this Kia Picanto.

Kia is probably better known for its larger and more expensive SUV and all-electric offerings, but the Picanto is a very fine car in its own right. It’s got pert styling, tidy handling and a smart interior.

There’s four trim levels to choose from – ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ – as well as a sporty GT-Line version. All bar the most expensive GT-Line editions are fitted with a little 66bhp 1.0 litre three-cylinder petrol engine.

This motor also comes with the best selection of trims.

It will deliver mpg in the high fifties while a 0-60mph time of around 14 seconds means it’s best suited to urban driving rather than long motorway slogs. If you want some extra pep, the turbocharged 99bhp version, which is good for a sub 10 seconds 0-60mph time, is the one to go for.

On the road, the GT-Line feels extremely agile. The steering is sharp and kart-like while body roll is minimal.

The entry level ‘1’ version (from £13,400) is sparsely equipped but does feature front electric windows, USB port and a host of safety features. The ‘3’ (from £15,650) has niceties, including alloy wheels, 8 inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,

LED lights and privacy glass.

‘GT-Line’ (from £15,300) and ‘GT-Line S’ models have distinguishing features to emphasise their role as the sportiest models in the range.

This includes larger sports front and rear bumpers with gloss black skid plates and red highlights within the upper grille and side air intakes, along the side sills and in the lower rear bumper, which contains a diffuser section and twin exhaust tailpipes.

Kia has garnered a reputation in recent years for super build quality and that’s apparent even in this, their smallest car. The interior is clean, unfussy and well put together.

The seats are finished in smart black cloth for grade ‘1’, premium black cloth for ‘2’ and ‘3’ models, or black and red faux leather on ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models. There are black door handles on grade ‘1’, silver paint on ‘2’ and ‘3’ versions and satin chrome door handles on all versions. Leather trim adorns the steering wheel and gear-lever from grade ‘2’.

It’s a small car so compromises have to be made but the Picanto will still accommodate six footers with ease. The rear is compact but again, tall passengers won’t feel put out.

The boot is on the small side though this can be expanded by folding down the rear seats, which split 60:40.

The little Picanto is proof that big isn’t always better.