Kia Venga 1.4-litre CR DI Ecodynamics
Price:
£12 795 (R148 000)
Top speed:
166km/h, 0-100:
14 seconds
Consumption:
4.5 litres/100km.
CO2 emissions:
117g/km.
Best for:
Downsizing Audi fans who like Peter Schreyer's work.
Also worth considering?
Citroën C3 Picasso, Opel Meriva.
Kia has been one of the rising stars of the auto industry since the advent of the rugged Sorento SUV and the little Picanto. More recently the rather self-consciously funky Soul and the smooth second-generation Sorento have kept up the standard.
The company's new small car, the Venga - due for South African release in November 2010 - is from the same mould.
It has a neat design, the work of ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer, which cleverly deceives on two counts: first, it's a B-class (or Fiesta-sized) car, but looks bigger, and second, it's an MPV, or people carrier, in terms of the depth of its cabin, but it doesn't look remotely van-like from the outside.
The interior shows a bit less evidence of this sort of cleverness; it's very roomy and practical in a straightforward way but lacks the thoughtful little details that mark out some French rivals such as the new Citroen C3 Picasso.
The fascia, for instance, works very well but looks a bit sober compared with the rest of the car.
On the road, the diesel model I tried had plenty of go. The diesel engine itself is a new 1.4-litre version of the very smooth 1.6-litre that's fitted to the Soul. If it's just a shade less civilised in the Venga, it compensates by being exceptionally considerate towards your wallet and the planet.
A generous seven-year warranty (in the UK; South African Kias are warranted for five years or 100 000km) should also help your peace of mind. In all, the Venga is fit to take its place on the showroom floor alongside the Soul and Sorento and it's probably worth going to take a look. - The Independent, London