Road test report ---- April 2010 ----

by Kevin Fenix.

Kia Venga EX 1.4 diesel

This Kia Venga had its work cut out for it, if it was going to make a favourable impression on me. My two previous test cars had each been utterly superb, with really silent engines and effortless performances. One was a diesel and the other a small capacity, turbocharged petrol engine. On collecting the Venga, I was told that it had an automatic Stop/start system fitted as standard, but that it did not operate, when the ambient air temperature was below three degrees centigrade, or when the engine was cold, or when the air conditioning was on full blast.
So having set the seat, steering, mirrors, temperature to my requirements I set off on the journey home. The first thing I noticed was that the engine in this car was far more audible. It left me in no doubt that it was a diesel. Then compared to my two previous test cars, the suspension seemed to be very hard. I wondered if perhaps the tyres had been inflated to the wrong pressures. Also there was an infuriating rattle in the back every time the car encountered a surface irregularity. As we all know, today’s unmaintained road surfaces are nothing but a series of very bad irregularities, so by the time I reached home, I was in a state of extreme agitation. This was not a good start !
I decided to look for that rattle in the back, before even going into the house for a soothing cup of tea. I found it immediately, the buckle of the rear nearside seat belt, hanging in such a position, that it banged against the door frame every time the car was jarred by a road surface imperfection. That problem was quickly sorted and never caused any annoyance again.

As I covered the miles, the sound of the engine no longer seemed so noticeable and by the end of the test I hardly even noticed it. Likewise the suspension, which was still on the firm side, but not something that jarred my comfort or driving pleasure. It was just one of those things you get accustomed to. The driving seat was comfortable, the leather covered steering wheel had a good feel, the gearchange smooth and precise and sitting up that little bit higher, you got a good view of the road ahead and the scenery all around. Then there was that excellent large glass roof with a sliding sun-roof. So by the time I came to hand the car back, I had formed the opinion, that I could comfortably live with the Venga, as my everyday car, if I had to.
If you keep in mind that the Venga is a practical family car, not a potential world rally championship contender, then its performance is more than satisfactory. Top speed is said to be 167 kph (103 mph) and, as this is well above the national speed limit, there is no way I could legally confirm it for myself, or anyone else. Its 0-100 kph acceleration time of 14.5 seconds may be a bit on the slow side, but I do not think that it is going to cause anyone any embarrassment. This would be offset by its urban cycle fuel consumption of 54 mpg (5.2 lt/100 km), which is amongst the best for a car of this size, so far. On the extra urban cycle, it is credited with 70 mpg (4.0 lt/100 km), giving a combined cycle average of 62 mpg (4.5 lt/100 km). I am pretty confident that most family car drivers will be more than happy with that and would be willing to sacrifice a bit of acceleration for this fuel economy. Carbon dioxide exhaust emissions are recorded as 117 gm/km, which positions the car in Irish road tax band A, with an annual charge, at present rates, of 104 Euro. The Kia Venga thus has a lot to offer the Irish family motorist. Perhaps the only downside from a family point of view, is the fact that it only has ISOfix fittings on the two outer rear seating positions.
One of the things I especially liked from a driving point of view, was the clear, easy to see and use controls for the heating and ventilating and the large, simple, clear instrumentation. The main instrument binnacle, behind the steering wheel, contains three large analogue instruments. They have black faces, white lettering and red highlights.

On the left is the tachometer, with the speedometer in the centre and the fuel gauge on the right. A digital panel in the top centre of the console, gives the time, date, outside air temperature and average fuel consumption amongst other things. It has red lettering on a dark background, so is easy to see at all times. Immediately below is the slot for the CD player at the top of the audio system. There are further controls for the audio on the horizontal arms of the steering wheel. The two vertical arms have the controls for the mobile telephone operations.
The heating/ventilating is below the audio unit in the centre console. The large central dial selects both the temperature and fan speed. Its small centre ring looks after the fan speed, while the large outer ring selects the temperature. Large, well marked and illuminated when selected, buttons around the circumference of the ring, allow the selection of the desired distribution; face, feet, upper body, windscreen etc.
Below the heating/ventilating unit, there is an open storage space, that also houses the connections for the MP3, USB, 12v socket.
Perhaps the best feature of all is that excellent large glass roof, that helps to make the interior so bright and cheerful. It is tinted, but if you do not like the sun shining directly in, there is a roof lining on a roller, which can be opened or closed according to your preferences. Then the forward section of the glass roof, can be made to lift and slide backwards, to give a large open space. This gives a very pleasant and relaxing ambience to the interior on a fine day. When open the direct sunlight can be a little blinding at times, depending on its angle in the sky, but this is where that sliding roof lining can be so useful, as it leaves the interior open to the fresh air, but it can shield your eyes from the direct rays of the sun.

The two front seats are comfortable and well padded with a good range of adjustments for reach, height and backrest angle. The driver’s seat had a folding armrest on its inner side. The steering wheel also adjusted for both reach and height. This gave a comfortable and well supported driving position.
The rear seat is divided 60/40 and each section is mounted on runners, so can be adjusted fore and aft for knee and legroom. The 60 section has a folding armrest in its centre position. The rake of the backrests can be adjusted from a fairly upright position to a more relaxed position and they also drop down horizontally onto the seat cushions to increase load carrying space.

Above : Right hand rear seat in forward position, left hand in rear position


Above : 60/40 divided rear seat

Normal luggage space, between the removable floor and the underside of the rear parcels shelf is 0.314 cubic metres, with the rear seats in their rear most positions and 0.440 cubic metres when fully forward. If you remove the floor panel, this increases to a maximum of 0.570 cubic metres. When this floor panel is removed there is a compartmentalised plastic tray in the lower floor, covering the Spacesaver spare wheel. If you remove the floor panel and parcels shelf, fold the rear seats flat and load to the roof, you have 1,253 cubic metres of space at your disposal. No figure was mentioned for roof loading, but I suggest 60 kg may be a safe bet. Likewise no figure was given for towing a trailer without brakes, but again I suspect 600 kg may be a safe assumption. If the trailer is fitted with brakes, then up to 1300 kg is permitted.

Above left : Normal luggage space with floor in lower position
Above right : Removable floor in upper position folded back to give access to tray


Above left : Floor in upper position - right in lower position


Above left : Maximum luggage space, floor in lower position
Above right : Maximum luggage space, floor in upper position

The servo assisted braking system has anti-lock, with electronic force distribution and emergency brake assist. It works in conjunction with an electronic stability programme that includes traction control and a hill holder assist. Ventilated discs are fitted at the front, with plain discs at the back. Other safety related features are two front airbags, two side airbags for the front seat occupants and a side air curtain system, for the benefit of all passengers. All five seats have adjustable head restraints and lap and shoulder seat belts. The EX specification includes four electric windows and electrically adjustable exterior rear view mirrors.
Kia recommend servicing every 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or once a year. They give a seven years/150,000 km (93,000 miles) warranty, with five years paint cover, three years roadside assistance and twelve years anti-perforation cover.