Small is beautiful
The smallest cars on our roads are no longer as spartan as they used to be. In terms of space, comfort, driving characteristics, performance, equipment and safety, many A-segment cars are not inferior to a four-wheeler of a larger size, which explains the success of the Kia Picanto, among others. Because no matter how – relatively – mature, the operating costs remain easily manageable. Another plus, then!
With the Kia Picanto we have already mentioned a strong player in the smallest segment and it is therefore worthy of a portrait here. The trio Seat Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen Up stood out in (comparative) tests because of their serious approach. We’ll take one of those too. Finally, the Mitsubishi Space Star. Is it as spacious as its name suggests? We’re going out with 5 grand in hand.
Beautiful dashboard in the second generation Kia Picanto.
Kia Picanto 1.0 CVVT Comfort Pack – 2012 – 156,758 kilometers – €4,950
Kia’s smallest proves that used cars are expensive these days, because for 5 grand we still come across several original Picantos and we are talking about cars that are sometimes fifteen years old! These are often equipped with an automatic transmission and/or have a virgin mileage, but because the younger generation is a lot more modern in all respects, we prefer such a fresher snack – just a few more kilometers. Like this white Kia Picanto, from the second owner. More than a ton and a half on the odometer, but always maintained by the Kia dealer. Now the 15-SXJ-1 is waiting for its third owner at a Fiat specialist. First of all, he or she buys a car that, despite his experience, is still in excellent condition, both inside and out. The provider honestly mentions paint damage on the rear bumper as a result of incorrect parking… Driving such a car is no less important. Having written that, we find the installed three-cylinder 1.0 just barely touching. If you are always in a hurry, choose the 1.2 – it drives a bit more quietly. Now you have to pull far into the gears and shift smoothly to get along, but the gearbox is just a bit too stiff for that. The driving characteristics are certainly passable: the chassis is mainly set for comfort – certainly not bouncy. Matching is the light steering behavior and a bit of vague straight-line stability. Nothing shocking, but the Mii appears more mature in this aspect. However, this South Korean strikes back when it comes to appearance: still a nice appearance, drawn by Peter Schleyer, and a playful interior that looks quite rich, including electric window controls all around, air conditioning, alarm, an audio system and anti-whiplash headrests. The rear seat can be folded down in parts, increasing the luggage space to 870 liters. If that is insufficient, you can carry 700 kilos under braking (the others are not allowed to carry anything). Be sure to purchase a tow bar, because this white rascal lacks one.
Signaling
Brand Kia
Type Picanto 1.0 CVVT Comfort Pack
Construction year March 2012
Mileage 156,758
Asking price €4,950
Where to buy? Brands Occasions, Bergeijk
Five seats in the back of the Kia Picanto.
Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in line, 998 cc
Max. assets 51 kW/69 hp at 6,200 rpm
Max. couple 94 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 200 l/870 l
Max. trailer braked 700 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 23.8
0-100 km/h 14.4 sec
Top speed 153 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
The Seat Mii is the same on the inside as a Volkswagen Up or a Skoda Citigo.
Seat Mii 1.0 75 hp Style – 2012 – 175,587 kilometers – €4,750
With the Lupo and – especially – the Fox, Volkswagen hardly had a major player in the mini segment. Because three times is a charm, the company got things back in order with the Up. And speaking of three times the charm; the Up belonged to a set of triplets that also included Skoda’s Citigo and Seat’s Mii. Of these three, VW’s most compact was clearly the most successful here and (therefore?) also the most sought after as a used car, which means that asking prices remain high. If you don’t care about brands, you are doing a disservice if you don’t choose the Czech or Spaniard – except for the details, they are all the same. Because we have already had the Citigo in this section, it is now the turn of the Mii. For example, this red Seat Mii that is waiting for its first Dutch owner after more than 175,000 kilometers abroad. According to the supplier it is a five-door, but we really can’t get further than three! So the rear entry could be a thing.
Once you get there, you are the most spacious of this trio in terms of width (also in the front), but the legs have the least space (also in the front). In terms of headroom, the Mii is somewhere between Picanto and Space Star. With alloy wheels and a navigation system, it is on the one hand more lavishly equipped than the South Korean, but you can see the skimping on details such as the attached headrests and the side window controls (the right window cannot be operated from the driver’s side). That’s a shame, because the build quality is – just like with the Picanto – okay. What the Mii especially scores points with is its stable, mature driving characteristics. The S-795-ZS is also equipped with a sports suspension, so give those 75 horses a run for their money! It is a bit faster and quieter than the Picanto (the Space Star scores even better on these points), but is just as economical on paper thanks to the start/stop system.
Signaling
Brand Seat
Type Mii 1.0 75 hp Style
Construction year May 2012
Mileage 175,587
Asking price €4,750
Where to buy? RB Automobielen, Steenbergen
Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in line, 999 cc
Max. assets 55 kW/75 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 95 Nm at 3,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 251 l/959 l
Max. trailer braked n/a
Avg. consumption 1 in 23.8
0-100 km/h 13.2 sec
Top speed 172 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Mitsubishi Space Star 1.2 Instyle – 2015 – 189,768 kilometers – €4,699
Just like the Picanto in a white dress, but a lot younger and with more kilometers, that is this Mitsubishi Space Star. At 3.71 meters, the Japanese is slightly larger than the other two, which gives you the feeling of more car. It remains just a feeling, because in terms of interior space and trunk it is not more spacious. Thanks to its younger age, this occasion has some more modern trinkets on board. What about seat heating, cruise and climate control, tire pressure sensor, keyless entry/start, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain and light sensors and also navigation. Add to that the largest and most powerful engine (1.2-liter and 80 hp respectively) that makes the Space Star the fastest of the bunch, and it seems like a foregone conclusion when you have to choose between the three. Apparently, because the Space Star, built in Thailand, also has less pleasant aspects that can actually be summarized in one term: a lack of refinement. The quality of the interior materials used is therefore at a lower level.
From the advertising photos, things seem to be not too bad, but of these three used cars, we think that the Picanto has the most attractive and best-preserved interior. Then the driving. When stationary, the power source is quite present – as if the engine mounts are too flexible and insulation material has been cut back. At speed the machine sounds quite sporty. The chassis is adjusted quite softly. Together with the decent furniture, this provides a comfortable ride, but more feedback between road, wheel and steering wheel would be desirable. The Space Star works better on bad roads than our billiard cloths, it seems! But for those who just want to get from A to B dry and want the most (compact) car possible for their money, you can’t ignore it.
Seat heating in the Mitsubishi Space Star!
Signaling
Brand Mitsubishi
Type Space Star 1.2 Instyle
Construction year August 2015
Mileage 189,768
Asking price €4,699
Where to buy? Car company Cheap, Ridderkerk
Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in line, 1,193 cc
Max. power (petrol) 59 kW/80 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque (petrol) 106 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 235 l/912 l
Max. trailer braked n/a
Avg. consumption 1 in 23.3
0-100 km/h 11.7 sec
Top speed 180 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which of these compact, yet mature occasions suits you?
In summary: with the Mitsubishi Space Star you get the most and most modern car for your coins, but it lacks refinement. The Seat Mii does have that refinement, but you notice here and there that this was at the expense of other things from a budgetary perspective. As a result, the Picanto as a whole perhaps feels the most all-round. What would your choice in the once extensive mini class (including Ka, Karl, ForTwo, Up, C1, 108, Twingo, Panda, Citigo, i10, Spark, Cuore, Pixo, Alto/Celerio, Aygo, etc.) be if you had 5 grand to have to spend?
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl