A few years ago, the micro-car segment was pretty much dead. But it has started to increase a bit more and more with customers want more reliable but affordable new car rather than second hand.

Fast-forward to 2019, and Kia’s pint-sized Picanto is thriving, and continues to show growth on the sales charts month after month.

As a result of its recent increase, Kia has expanded the Picanto range considerably since the current-generation model launched in 2017 with more decoration on its exterior and interior.

Headlining that spec sheet is what lies beneath the bonnet, a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine making 74kW at 4500rpm and 172Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000rpm, which is specific to this model.

First things first, it’s quite nice and okay more than your expectation. Sure, the 1.0-litre turbo is noticeably more muscular than the standard engine, but it’s running quite well and not making a driver stressed.

Combined with the direct steering, the Picanto is actually quite a bit of fun to drive. It’s one of those cars that you can really push to the limit within the confines of the law.

Having that fifth gear is really beneficial on the open road, too, as revs are kept to around 2,500rpm at 100km/h, compared to 3,000rpm and above in models equipped with the four-speed auto.

At 110km/h, the Picanto still felt like it had a bit of go in the event of needing to complete a quick overtake, and the cruise control managed to keep a consistent speed up inclines.

Noise suppression wasn’t fantastic, with a noticeable level of perceived tyre noise entering the cabin over most surfaces at high speed, though wind noise wasn’t really heard.

In terms of safety, the Picanto, like other members of the line-up, gets autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning, six airbags, two ISOFIX child seat mounts for the outboard rear seats, along with three top tether points – not that you’d be able to fit three child seats across the second-row bench, though.

Overall, it’s not like you’re really left wanting for much in terms of spec, though it would have been nice for Kia to include the higher-spec infotainment system with in-built satellite navigation and the option of heated seats that it offers overseas, given flagship status in the Picanto range.

Behind the second row of seats is a 255L luggage area, which is bigger than both the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift – which are in the class above, mind you – expanding to a rather impressive 1010L with the back seats folded.

What really sets the Picanto apart from the pack, however, is Kia’s industry-leading seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for the duration of the program.

For first-car buyers or those looking to downsize to something cheap to run and maintain, the Picanto presents a very compelling case from an ownership perspective.

Scheduled maintenance for the turbocharged model is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first. It’s worth noting Kia has shorter 10,000km intervals for its turbocharged petrol vehicles, while naturally aspirated petrols and turbo diesels have longer 15,000km intervals.