Time was when the micro-mini segment was populated with cars which between them were equipped with little more technology as could be seen on, say, a wheelbarrow. Dodgy plastics, terrible seats, appalling designs, poor chassis, and absolutely no kit was the order of the day.

THOSE people who seem to think the job of a motoring correspondent involves a whirlwind of glitzy launches in foreign climates and a non-stop merry-go-round of driving the biggest, best, fastest and most expensive metal there is to find, never seem to realise there are other aspects of the job as well; like driving a Kia Picanto, for example.