Mirage getting more competition in Australia: Kia Picanto

[MetroMPG]

Sales in the "city" or "light" car segment in Australia have been suffering for a while now. (Apparently that has prompted VW to pull the Up! from its down under model line-up, according to the linked article.)

But Kia is jumping in to the void with the Picanto, which will put it up (pardon the pun) against:

• Mitsu Mirage (1.2L, 3-cyl)
• Nissan Micra (1.2L, 3-cyl)
• Suzuki Celerio (1.0L, 3-cyl)
• Holden Barina Spark (1.2L, 4-cyl)

The Picanto is the most expensive of the group, but will come with a 1.25L, 4-cyl and either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto slushbox.

Early reports say suggest the car will be the new favourite of the reviewers.

Motoring.com.au says:

• clear, well laid out interior and solid build quality
• in the manual, the little Picanto immediately impresses
• ride quality is excellent
• on backroads the Kia continues to impress: feels agile and fun
• steering lacks feel but nicely weighted, precise and quick

The Volkswagen up! is still the best micro-car money can buy and the Fiat Panda is still far more fun, but since you can’t buy them here the Kia sits at the top of the pile.

But the Picanto will also have the highest starting price of the group.

Full review, photo gallery: http://www.motoring.com.au/reviews/2...5-review-54029

[laceygirl]

Funny how VW are in huge financial trouble at the moment....

[cyclopathic]

From what I read the Mirage reviews in AU were unfavorable due to suspension set up. Wondering if 2017 fixes this, how it will stack against competition in Oz?

[laceygirl]

If they fix the suspension on the 2017 model, I'll be first in line to buy it... From what I've read, its supposed to be in the works...

The harsh conditions of the Australian climate and our country v's city roads are from different ends of the scale.... Clay dirt roads, Chunky bitumen, to smooth concrete, so the suspension has to be AMAZING to get past car reviewers... We are also the country of roundabouts at intersections... We've got them everywhere, so the body roll is very noticeable, they will need to address these two things to impress hard core Australian buyers....

I'll buy it because its a Mitsubishi and its a Mirage....

[MetroMPG]

From what I read the Mirage reviews in AU were unfavorable due to suspension set up.

They were actually more favourable toward the car than the American or Brit reviewers. Mirage won a number of Australian car of the year awards in its segment.

Thread: Mirage / Space Star awards & accomplishments

[Ares]

Yah. Body roll is the Mirage's biggest hurdle; that and the insanely soft rear springs. Fix those two and the mirage is such a winner.

Otherwise, 50$ for rear springs and 120 for rear sway bar and you're set.

[Mistah JT]

VW pulled the UP because they couldn't offer it cheap enough. You can get a manual base model polo for 15,990 and the top of the line up passes that. Cheapest UP was around 14 grand.

[cyclopathic]

Otherwise, 50$ for rear springs and 120 for rear sway bar and you're set.

$120 for sway bar, where??

[laceygirl]

Yes the cheapest rear sway bar by Ultra Racing here in Australia is $249

[Mistah JT]

Yes the cheapest rear sway bar by Ultra Racing here in Australia is $249

Order through the Malaysian UR dealer. I got all my bars for less than 200 posted.