What would you suggest as a replacement for a Kia Picanto?
My wife is looking to replace her 2015 Kia Picanto for something with a little more power. She'd like something of a similar size, but with an automatic gearbox and adaptive cruise control. She's been looking around but struggling to find something suitable.
She wondered about a VW Polo but heard that automatic VW sometimes have a problem with the autonomous emergency braking system where cars produced between 2017-2020 can experience random breaking and false alarms. Is this correct and are cars produced before or after these dates okay?
She mostly drive around town, with her foldup bike stored in the boot, and this is where the Picanto is brilliant as it will fit into almost any space. However, she is now needing to drive regularly on long distance motorway journeys and this is where the Picanto is a bit lacking in the power department.
She wondered about a VW Polo but heard that automatic VW sometimes have a problem with the autonomous emergency braking system where cars produced between 2017-2020 can experience random breaking and false alarms. Is this correct and are cars produced before or after these dates okay?
She mostly drive around town, with her foldup bike stored in the boot, and this is where the Picanto is brilliant as it will fit into almost any space. However, she is now needing to drive regularly on long distance motorway journeys and this is where the Picanto is a bit lacking in the power department.
Asked on 29 May 2025 by Pete Nailer
Answered by
Matt Robinson
While rare, we've experienced 'phantom' AEB applications in a wide range of vehicles, so we wouldn't let a few anecdotal reports put you off the Polo, which is a great option. It features on our list of the best small cars, along with another we'd recommend you take a look at – the closely related Skoda Fabia.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides/best-small-cars/
www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides/best-small-cars/
Tags:
small cars
buying advice
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