The Kia Venga is a car manufactured by Kia for the European market[2] across a single generation between 2009 and 2019, with a high-roof mini MPV design.
The name Venga is Spanish for "come" or "come with."[3]
Design
The Venga was styled by Gregory Guillaume[1] at Kia's Rüsselsheim Research and Development Center, under the direction of Peter Schreyer, head of Kia's European design studio. It was based on Kia's No3concept, introduced at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.[4]
With a design emphasizing interior space and practicality,[5] the Venga featured a long wheelbase for its class,[3] at 2,615 mm; a 1,600 mm high roofline to maximize cabin space; and aerodynamic Cd of 0.31.[5] The 440-litre boot expanded to 1253 litres with the rear seats folded.[3] The split-folding rear seats also slid fore and aft by up to 130 mm[3] and can fold completely flat, without the need to adjust or remove the seat headrests.[3]
All models featured anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, hill-start, hazard lights activated via emergency braking, tire pressure monitoring, six airbags, load-limiting pre-tensioned seatbelts and active front headrests.[3] Upper trim level equipment included panoramic sunroof, LED rear lights, keyless ignition, welcome-home lights and a heated steering wheel.[3]
The Venga employed Kia's corporate grille, known as the Tiger Nose. The MPV won Germany's iF Design Award in 2009,[6] followed by a Red Dot (product design) award in 2010.[7]
Kia released a facelifted Venga in early 2015, with a larger front grille, revised bumper fascia,[4] and a new six-speed automatic transmission replacing the previous four-speed one.[8] Production of the Venga ended in early 2019, without a successor.[9]
Rear view (pre-facelift)
Front view (facelift)
Rear view (facelift)
Interior
Safety
Euro NCAP
Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, five door hatchback variant on a registration from 2010:[10]
Test
Score
Points
Overall:
Adult occupant:
79%
28.4
Child occupant:
66%
32.3
Pedestrian:
64%
23
Safety assist:
71%
5
Following the initial test, Kia made several structural and safety improvements to the Venga, and had it reassessed.[11]
Test
Score
Points
Overall:
Adult occupant:
89%
32.1
Child occupant:
85%
41.8
Pedestrian:
64%
23
Safety assist:
71%
5
Reception
The Venga was met with mixed reviews in Europe. Top Gear gave the car a score of 4 out of 10, calling it: "As sensible and tasty as a dry cracker. A decent enough car, perhaps one for the Freedom Pass brigade."[12]Autocar rated it three out of five stars, praising the spacious interior, refined engine, and generous specification, but criticizing the leisurely performance, bland styling, and price.[4]
What Car? gave the car two out of five stars.[13]Auto Express gave it three out of five stars, saying: "The Kia Venga has made a big impact in the mini MPV sector, with great space and strong value."[14]
