Kia Venga (2010 - 2019) 1.6 ISG 4 5d Owner Review

This is our fifth Kia in the family - but the first Venga. It's immediate predecessor was a 1.25 Picanto Halo but there have been other Picantos, a Rio and a Sedona. I think the fact it's the fifth car of the same make speaks for itself. All the others have been absolutely reliable and have "done what it says on the tin". Our Venga is the top-of-the-line, model 4, with a 1.6 petrol engine and 6 speed manual gearbox. Don't believe the road tests which say the 1.6 is only available with an autobox - it isn't, at least not now. Inside it's incredibly spacious, the false boot floor is ideal for hiding things and we can easily get my wife's lightweight shopping buggy in the boot without having to fold seats. However, when the seats are folded, the floor is FLAT and that makes loading so much easier - and it's a doddle to fold them down. I read a lot of roadtests before we signed along the dotted line to place the order and I'm getting tired of every roadtest being compared against a Ford. Ford's may be very good cars but I've never wanted one from choice and after a career in the motor industry I can't really fault any Kias that I've driven. Our Venga is comfortable, has excellent acceleration and at 45mpg around town and on local journeys for a 1.6 engine, is far better than I'd hoped. If I have any criticism, I think the gear ratios are a tad too close to one another and I'll often go straight from 3rd gear to 6th. Although it's larger than our last Picanto, my wife and I find it easier to park and this is largely due to the high seating position, allied to reversing sensors and the reversing camera. It's quiet, comfortable, has oodles of space for oddments and is ideal for two very elderly parents (both in their 90's) and with very painful joints. We can get their two wheelchairs in the boot as well - and without folding the rear seats, so that's a terrific bonus. Criticisms have been made about the quality of the plastics but they don't bother us at all - and there are absolutely no unwanted rattles or creaks. Yes, the suspension is a bit firm but that's typical of our other Kia's and we're used to it. The four wheel disc brakes are brilliant as well and you really only have to touch the brake pedal to get really meaningful stopping power. I think if you stamped hard on them in an emergency, you'd probably damage the front number plate! All in all, a thoroughly likeable car. We chose the 1.6 version, as a long test drive in a 1.4 engine car suggested it probably needed a bit more oomph for quick overtaking on motorways and sustained cruising at 70mph with still some power in reserve. We do a lot of long-distance travel so those extra cubic centimeters are important and a recent trip to Edinburgh from south of Stratford on Avon saw us doing the journey on less than a tankful of fuel!! The 1.6 provides all the power we need and certainly for us it was the clincher. The full length glass sunroof is a nice feature and the aircon almost freezes you to death when set to cold. A thoroughly satisfactory car in every way for our needs and it certainly has brought lots of smiles our way. We love it!