Used Kia Venga for sale near Darlington

CarGurus expert rating: 2 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.5 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 32.5%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 3.9 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 150
Average Price: Around £7,600

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) occupies a middle ground between a hatchback and a people carrier, offering 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, accommodating four adults comfortably with generous headroom and legroom. The boot is exceptionally spacious, offering 440 litres minimum and expanding to 1,253 litres with seats folded. Standard equipment levels are generous, particularly on 2, 3, and 4 trim levels, which include air conditioning, alloy wheels, Bluetooth, climate control, and satnav on higher specs.

However, the Venga's driving experience is disappointing. The 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines lack performance, with the 1.4-litre petrol being particularly underpowered. Real-world fuel consumption significantly exceeds official figures, with owners reporting poor economy across all engine options. The ride is bumpy at low speeds, steering is vague and devoid of feel, and body roll is excessive even at modest speeds. Running costs are problematic, with higher insurance groups and poor fuel efficiency offsetting the generous equipment levels. The cabin uses cheap, hard plastics that scratch easily, though improvements were made following the 2015 facelift.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers prioritising space and practicality over driving dynamics, families needing a versatile cabin, and those seeking an affordable automatic option without a CVT transmission.

Not ideal for: Drivers valuing engaging handling, good fuel economy, or premium interior quality, and those expecting Kia's typical reliability standards.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Venga if: You prioritise space and practicality over driving dynamics, need a versatile family cabin, or seek an affordable automatic option without a CVT transmission.

Consider alternatives if: You value engaging handling, good fuel economy, premium interior quality, or expect Kia's typical reliability standards.

Competitive Position: The Kia Venga (2009-2019) is a practical and spacious option in the compact MPV segment, offering excellent cabin versatility and generous equipment levels. However, it lags significantly behind rivals in driving dynamics and fuel efficiency. The Honda Jazz and Ford B-Max both deliver superior driving experiences and better overall ratings, whilst the Citroën C3 Picasso offers substantially better value for money. The Venga's appeal lies primarily in its affordability and space, making it suitable only for budget-conscious buyers willing to compromise on driving pleasure and running costs for practicality.

Read our full Kia Venga Review

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