CarGurus expert rating: 2 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 35.5%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 3.9 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 170
Average Price: Around £5,800

Kia Venga (2009-2019) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Versatile family-friendly cabin	Dull to drive
Some of the original seven-year warranty should still cover recent examples	Disappointing fuel economy
Generous kit on all models bar the entry-level '1'	More reliability issues than you'd expect of a Kia

Quick Summary

The Kia Venga (2009-2019) is a practical mini-MPV that occupies the middle ground between a hatchback and a people carrier. Designed to offer greater practicality than a typical supermini, it features a spacious and versatile cabin with clever 60:40 split-folding rear seats that slide fore and aft independently. With up to 1,253 litres of boot space when fully folded, it easily accommodates four adults with generous headroom and legroom. The front seats are mounted high and upright, aiding visibility, whilst low sills make entry and exit easier—particularly appreciated by older owners.

However, the Venga's driving experience leaves much to be desired. Its 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines lack performance, with owners reporting disappointing real-world fuel consumption significantly worse than official figures. The ride is bumpy at low speeds, steering is vague and devoid of feel, and excessive body roll occurs even at modest cornering speeds. Standard equipment is generous on most trims, especially the 3 and 4 versions, though the interior uses cheap, hard plastics that scratch easily. A 2015 facelift introduced improvements, including a responsive touchscreen infotainment system and additional features like automatic lights and a heated steering wheel on higher trims.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking maximum interior space and practicality, families needing versatile seating arrangements, and those wanting a small automatic car without a CVT transmission.

Not ideal for: Drivers prioritising engaging handling, good fuel economy, or premium build quality, or those expecting the reliability standards typically associated with the Kia brand.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Venga if: You're on a tight budget, seeking maximum interior space and practicality, need versatile seating arrangements, or want a small automatic car without a CVT transmission.

Consider alternatives if: You prioritise engaging handling, good fuel economy, premium build quality, or expect the reliability standards typically associated with the Kia brand.

Competitive Position: The Kia Venga (2009-2019) is the weakest performer in its segment, with a lower expert rating than all its key rivals. Whilst it delivers exceptional interior space and practicality with clever seating arrangements, its dull driving dynamics, disappointing fuel economy, and reliability concerns make it less appealing than the Honda Jazz, Ford B-Max, or Citroën C3 Picasso. However, for budget-conscious buyers prioritising space over driving enjoyment, the Venga remains a sensible choice, particularly when examples still benefit from Kia's original seven-year warranty.

Read our full Kia Venga Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.