Kia Venga hatchback (2010 – ) expert review

1. Exterior

While the Kia Venga is only as long as a supermini, it’s as tall as a small MPV, so it has a roomy cabin. It’s similar in concept to the Honda Jazz, Nissan Note and Toyota Verso-S but has a slightly more European look. Front quarterlight windows and thin front A-pillars aid visibility from inside the car.

Our rating: 3

2. Interior

The Venga’s extra height gives passengers a great view of the road ahead. The dashboard is well-made, but some of the plastics used in the central console feel scratchy and hard. Separate cowlings for the three main instrument dials add some much-needed design flair.

Our rating: 2

3. Practicality

Boot space is impressive, with 570 litres of space (including under boot floor storage) behind the rear seats, which slide fore and aft by 130mm. Fold the rear seats flat and 1,253 litres is available, significantly more than in the Honda Jazz (335 to 883 litres), while the Nissan Note offers 437 to 1,332 litres.

Our rating: 4

4. Ride and handling

The Venga is well suited to town driving, and is light and easy to drive. Sadly this lightness also gives the steering a vagueness, and the gear change is quite imprecise. Reasonably firm suspension allows sharp corners to be taken with little body roll, making the Venga eminently nippy.

Our rating: 3

5. Performance

A simple engine line-up includes a 1.4-litre petrol with 89bhp, 1.6-litre petrol automatic with 124bhp or 1.4-litre CRDi with 89bhp. The 1.4 is the most pleasant to drive, thanks to its refinement. None of the engines offers particularly good acceleration, but performance is comparable with most rivals.

Our rating: 2

6. Running costs

Of the three engines the 1.4-litre CRDi wins hands down averaging 62.8mpg and emitting 117g/km of CO2, making road tax pocket-money. Even the Honda Jazz Hybrid is only slightly cleaner (104g/km), while averaging 62.4mpg. The small petrol is cheaper to buy, averages 45.6mpg and emits 147g/km, while the 1.6 auto is best avoided as it only averages 40.4mpg and emits 164g/km of CO2.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

Kia has an excellent reliability record and the Venga comes with a seven-year warranty. So far it’s performing well in Auto Trader’s owner reviews.

Our rating: 4

8. Safety

When the Kia Venga was first crash tested by Euro NCAP in early 2010 it was awarded a four-star rating. Kia was not satisfied with this result and implemented updates to the car, including structural changes, seatbelt restraint adjustments and slight modifications to the rear seat. When an updated model was tested again the Venga achieved five stars, and all changes have been put into production cars.

Our rating: 4

9. Equipment

Trim levels are simply called 1, 2 and 3, with air-con, electric windows, central locking and six airbags fitted as standard. Venga 2s get 16-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, iPod connection, steering wheel-mounted controls and electric mirrors. The 3 has big-car features including climate control, electric sunroof, front fog lights, tinted windows and electric rear windows. A reversing camera is available as an option.

Our rating: 3

Why buy?

The Venga manages to offer the practicality of a big car, in a small package, which is no mean feat.

Our rating: 3