In-depth Reviews

Kia Venga owner reviews

“The Kia Venga fits into small parking spaces and budgets, but has a tall roof for extra space and comes with a reassuring seven-year warranty”

by Carbuyer team

27 Feb 2018

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 27 Feb 2018

Carbuyer Rating

2.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Buy used for less at Buyacar

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

52%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Other (9 cases)
Engine (1 case)
Suspension (1 case)
Electrics (4 cases)
Suspension, Other (1 case)
Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 65

Tell us what you think about your car?

I was looking for a car for our retirement years that would suit my wife as she has some mobility issues. This was the only car in its class that fitted the bill, for ease of access and we chose the automatic as she sometimes has hand problems due to arthritis. We both like the car BUT and I know it was naïve of me , I assumed that ALL modern cars gave a LOT better MPG nowadays. I have been driving this car with great care, smooth acceleration and keeping the revs down. On the motorways I have used the cruse control a lot. Around town at an average of 30mph I ONLY GOT 24.6 MPG and on the motorway 38MPG giving me an average of 30MPG. This is nowhere near what the manufacture states on its advert literature. I expected a drop in MPG from my 12y old Ford Focus Diesel, this has made buying this car a very expensive and disappointing experience; something I have never experienced with any of my previous cars. I wish I had never been tempted with the 7yr guarantee which we still have to see if was worth all the added expense we can expect from the running cost of this car . OK if you really need an automatic (only got one leg) and money is no object to pay for fuel . Buying a new car has always been fun in the past BUT THIS has made me quite angry and depressed.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good size car with a lot of space inside. Fuel economy on this auto is a really poor 24 mpg - even when I try to drive as economically as possible. Also slow acceleration after 40mph. Drinks like a 3.0l car and accelerates like a 1.0l car. Also, the fuel gauge stopped working and had to be repaired a number of times.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Does everything pretty well. Get 30+mpg and goes quickly if you kick down. Also the most comfortable seat position of any car I've driven (and that includes Volvo, Mercedes, VW etc)

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems to date

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

problem with ESP to start with,solved by a change in my driving style

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I am extremely pleased with my cars reliability, its handling is better than expected its comfort is great

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The car is comfortable but no ball of fire. It is no more economical than my previous golf mk iv gt tdi which was much mor,e powerful and more solidly built, although the venga is just as big and actually heavier than the golf and has more internal and boot space

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

VERY GOOD POWER UNIT. POOR SUSPENSION. POOR FORWARD CORNER VIEW DISGUSTING FUEL ECONOMY. OLD FASHIONED GEARBOX.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Overall reliability is very good indeed, however with just over three months ownership from new its a bit early to provide a true picture

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It is a no worry car!!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Ok. Comfortable but poor mpg and rattles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

A great car; 2 complaints 1/ sluggish on hills 2/ rattle from boot that we tried to cure for 3 years without success

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

apart from the gears (which have now been fixed) it runs OK

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems except power steering failed twice

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems since I bought it excellent reliability

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I find this car to be easy to maintain and easy on the pocket

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent extras, fit and finish, price, comfort, reliability and long guarantee

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Unable to achieve any better than 35.7 mpg and I consider I am a careful driver. The trip I most frequently make is from Huddersfield to Norwich on a variety of roads averaging 44 mph.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Bought this car used, just over 2yrs old, easy access for my disabled wife, sits well on motorway at legal speeds, easy to drive, corners very well at speed, has a biggish boot with plenty of room inside cabin. Its only fault is fuel consumption in town, but then its a PROPER AUTO. I would rather drive this than other problematic DSG equipped cars.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

its a very smooth car to drive, gear changes are smooth and the engine is very quiet. The dash layout and controls are well laid out and the seating is good. This car has soft suspension so you get a soft smooth ride. It handles ok for a tall car with a high centre of gravity. This car is not for car thrashers and bend belters its one of the most relaxing cars to drive. You will appreciate it if you're like me and of a mature age.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No faults to date Overall excellent but low speed ride could be "refined" a bit more and can get caught out over some ridges

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no probs upto now

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

It starts first time,and it never breaks down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

ABSOLUTELY TROUBLE-FREE

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Reliable, practical, very economical. Would buy another one. Well equiped for the base model.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The venga is a comfortable, easy to drive, practical car with vast amounts of space for passengers and luggage. So far it has been completely reliable, and it has a warranty which will still have years to run when we replace the car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Perfect for space and low cost running

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

We have found the venga to be very reliable and it doen`t seem to matter what we have to put in it will fit in the boot.Two Child seats and an adult have fitted in the back.It Is all built pretty well if some of the plastics are not quite that good no rattles or squeaks though. We regulary achieve between 50-60mpg and the reports of the diesel being noisy are a bit harsh,it is from cold but once warm its not a problem.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought my Kia Venga 3 on retiring, as my mileage is now greatly reduced. However, I still travel at least 15 miles daily due to where I live + many further trips afield. The Kia is ideal is in many ways but, oh dear, what unpleasant journeys they are. The Kia is superficially well put together but in reality everything rattles. I bought it at 3 years old with low mileage and eventually got in touch with the seller. He told me that it had always been a problem and the dealer he bought it from thought that he was a nuisance by continually asking for the rattles to be cured. I spoke to the local dealer from whom I bought it and they said that it didn't happen when they tested it. Rubbish! However, I was told by an ex-Nissan mechanic that "Kias rattle!". The noise is so intrusive that I'm trading it in and buying anything but a Kia. The most concerning thing is the transmission of every bump in the road through the steering column and the loud thump in the cabin. It is very unsettled on poor road surfaces. Kia, never again.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

First the good points, the Venga has loads of space and a nice high driving position which is further complimented by loads of seat and steering wheel adjustments. The "toys" on the 2 trim are more than adequate and the Bluetooth works ok and will dial the last number you called on your phone, I used to phone my parents if taking a trip to see them prior to getting in the car (to those who moan about not being able to call more than one person, why are you using your phone whilst driving?) Next the bad points, Fuel economy is shocking on the automatic version and no I don't have a heavy foot. I have a mate who has taken this car to MIRA (motor industry research association) and tested it according to the gov. testing parameters. They could only achieve 31 mpg max, they said that the main reason was the archaic 3 speed with overdrive gearbox. Showed results to Kia and they said "well it is an automatic". Steering is dull but the tyres leave you feeling that they will grip. The cabin plastics are hard and have scuffed and scratched quite badly. Road noise is intrusive and conversation is strained on rough roads i.e. concrete (A50). The seats are still solid and have not softened at all which the Kia salesman said they would. Can not see trip computer/radio station info when sun is shining . Before buying this car I test drove the 1.6 manual version which was two years old for 48hrs, that car was so much better in every way. I usually keep my cars for 3 to 5 years but this Venga goes for sale tomorrow and I am buying a Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel automatic Active. Kia Venga 1.6 Auto should be avoided at all costs unless you have a petrol station.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Purchased the KIA VENGA 1.6 Expression eco3 two years ago (Petrol) and the fuel consumption is pathetic. Urban is 26.5mpg combined 37mpg. No problems with the car. But it has only travelled 4500 miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

A well-made car. Feels solid.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Starts OK no problems driving in all weathers,

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Plasticy dashboard,has input jack for mp3 player but no adjustment on instrument illumination which is way too bright to the point of distraction on a dark road = wrong priorities. 53 mpg from 1.4 turbo diesel in real world driving conditions.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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