He: Kia made its name in Australia with cheap'n'cheerful cars for buyers on a budget. While the brand has moved upmarket in recent years (and it will push further into new territory with the new Stinger sedan later this year), the South Korean brand still caters to cost-focussed motorists with the Picanto hatch. The brand recently re-launched the Picanto with this new model. What do you make of its looks?

She: The old dictionary meaning of the word 'cute' is 'ugly but interesting'. For me, that sums up the Picanto, it's not necessarily attractive but it is funky looking, likeable and has loads of potential.

We've only got the entry-level version in Australia at the moment, but for a base model it offers some decent gear. I think the cabin looks really nice - cheap plastics aside - with a symmetrical and clean interior. The new floating 7.0-inch touchscreen looks like one you'd find in a Mercedes or BMW and gives the cabin a more premium feel. Kia's introduction of more tech-savvy features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is an added boost and a logical move in attracting more buyers.

He: You certainly do get some impressive features for an entry-level car, and that touchscreen is the key here. I'm a real fan of Apple CarPlay, which is a great leveller of technology that gives a Kia, BMW or Ferrari quite similar stereo functions.

This new model is bigger inside and out, with one of the largest boots in any car in this class, making it surprisingly practical to live with. What did you think of its behaviour on the road?

She: Kia has done a good job with the localised tuning and suspension modifications. It's agile, handles well, offers a comfortable ride and the steering is direct. However the 1.2 litre multi-point injection engine is pretty much the same old unit as before, remaining the weakest link. The engine only produces 62kW of power and 122Nm of torque, and it isn't helped by a sluggish four-speed auto, which makes driving up a hill or attempting to get through a set of amber lights quickly a challenge at times. How was it like for you in the drivers' seat, Dave?

He: I agree with your points - the sub-1000 kilogram weight and quick reflexes make it feel quite capable around town, nipping in and out of traffic without any fuss. But the engine is a little course and that automatic is well off the pace and a little unrefined too. I suppose you can't expect too much from this price - just $15,690 drive-away in auto form. That's sharp value.

She: It's a pretty good deal, made even sweeter when you take into account Kia's unmatched seven-year warranty, capped-price servicing and roadside assistance. The five-speed manual version is even cheaper at $14,190 (plus on-road costs). I found it interesting that the Picanto used noticeably more fuel than its claimed combined consumption figure of 5.4L/100km.

He: Yep, we recorded closer to 7L/100km from the little guy even with a mix of freeway driving, which is a significant difference. It's not a deal-breaker for me, particularly when you factor in Kia's strong warranty and the day-to-day appeal of its infotainment system. Could you see one in the driveway?

She: The Picanto isn't the cheapest city car but it's still cheap and one of the better ones out there. I'd still like to see advanced safety features like automated emergency braking included, but at least it's on the radar for future updates.  Despite the lacklustre engine, the pros still outweigh the cons - the five-speed manual is the best pick for me but ultimately for city driving, the Picanto is more than adequate.

2017 Kia Picanto pricing and specifications

Price: From $15,690 driveaway

Engine: 1.25-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 62kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 122Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: Four-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive

Fuel use: 5.8L/100km

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