Review
Even the least demanding aren't going to find much to like about the Kalos other than its compellingly low price tag and competent driving experience.
The bland styling is, at best, unexceptional. But once inside the cabin the material quality feels very low, especially when compared to mainstream rivals. Front seat occupants enjoy a reasonable amount of space and it's respectably roomy in the back by supermini standards too - but the nasty trim and switchgear seem like they have been supplied by the lowest bidder's second cousin.
Dynamic performance is better than you might expect. The Kalos rides pretty well over rougher surfaces, and the chassis delivers respectable levels of grip, especially considering the low expectations that most buyers are likely to bring with them. But the 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engines are loud and thrashy, and neither is capable of delivering much in the way of performance.
Despite apparently attractive pricing, steep depreciation means that the Kalos is actually a fairly poor medium-term investment, and anyone considering picking one as a cheap runabout would be best advised to find a two or three year old example which has already suffered most of the residual value collapse.