Model tested: Venga 3 1.4 petrol, Venga 3 1.4 CRDi ISG
Date tested: December 2009
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Almost a third of cars sold in Europe is a supermini, which is why Kia has added the Venga to its stable of tiddlers. Stuart Milne finds out whether it's a worthy addition to the range.

The Venga is the first Kia designed from the ground up by ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer; it's also been completely developed and built in Europe - for Europe.

Inside there's class-leading legroom, and a huge amount of headroom front and back, emphasised by the full-length sunroof of our Venga 3 range-topping test cars.

Open the boot and things are equally capacious, growing from 570 litres with seats up to an excellent 1253 litres with them down.

The interior is the most modern yet in a Kia; it's stylish and very well put together. There are a few hard plastics, but little more than you'd expect from an £11,000 car.

All-round visibility is excellent, with parking aided by an optional rear camera. The steering is light, but it'll be retuned for the UK market; so too will the suspension, which is currently too soft.

The engines will be unchanged though; we'll see two petrols and a diesel, the latter available only as an automatic. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is superbly refined; its 89bhp is ample and a claimed average of 45.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 147g/km should please buyers too.

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The 1.4 diesel offers even lower running costs with emissions of 117g/km and a claimed average of 62.8mpg. The engine also develops 89bhp, but pulling power is up from 101lb/ft to 162lb/ft. 0-62mph takes 14.5 seconds - 1.7 seconds slower than the petrol - and is a little rough under acceleration.

This engine is also fitted with Kia's ISG - Intelligent Stop & Go - stop/start system which boosts economy by around eight per cent.

A 1.6 petrol is available with a four-speed automatic gearbox which returns 40.4mpg and emits 164g/km of CO2.

Standard kit levels are generous; all models get remote central locking, air-con, six-speaker audio with USB input, electric front windows and a rear spoiler. Posher cars also get 16-inch alloys, climate control, rear electric windows a panoramic sunroof.

The 100,000-mile/seven-year warranty is fully transferable; buy a used Venga less than 18 months old with under 18,000 miles, and Kia will 'top up' the warranty as though it's a new car.

From what we've seen, the Venga is a good car - although those steering and suspension adjustments are needed - and deserves to sell extremely well. Factor in that warranty plus comprehensive equipment levels and Kia surely has a winner.