IF there's one car maker that really likes to think big, it's Kia.

A peripheral figure little more than five years ago, the Korean company is now a serious player in the premier league of motor manufacturers.

Models like the cee'd, Soul, Sorento and Sportage have played a huge part in the expansion, but fresh to the party is perhaps Kia most important model yet, the Venga.

The Tardis factor is an expression that's been used liberally to namecheck just about every new vehicle to offer decent interior space.

In the Venga's case it's more apt than most because this is a car that despite being confined to a mere four metres can comfortably accommodate a family of five and a bootload of clobber.

Nor does it have to resemble an ocean-going container to achieve it, and the principal reason is one Peter Schreyer, the man who designed the original Audi TT.

The Venga is well and truly Schreyer's baby. He designed it from scratch and many of the style elements from the No 3 concept that graced last year's Geneva Motor Show are in evidence.

While it could be classed as a mini-MPV, the latest Kia avoids the boxy look of some other passenger-friendly small cars with an altogether sleeker, more sporty appeal.

And despite the Venga being 37mm shorter than the larger Soul model, it has a 65mm longer wheelbase.

Clever packaging is the key to the interior where split seats that slide backwards and forwards by 130mm allow all three rear passengers to stretch their legs out if there's not too much luggage to shift.

But if more luggage space is required you can slide the rear seats fully forward, flip the backs down and you have a completely flat van-like floor area of almost 1,500 litres. Kia calls it Fold & Drive.

Factor in some trendy but simple design touches, durable upholstery and - in the case of top spec models - a two-piece sliding glass sunroof that covers almost the whole roof area and you have a small car with the feelgood factor to match its practicality.

The Venga, which comes with a seven-year transferable warranty, is available with the choice of an 89bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine with five-speed manual gearbox, a 124bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit mated to a four-speed automatic transmission or an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel with six-speed manual.

There are three trim grades - Venga 1, 2 and 3 - with prices from £11,495 for the 1.4 petrol Venga 1 model rising to £15,395 for the tested 1.4 CRDi EcoDynamics 3.

I found the diesel noisy but extremely frugal - an average 62.8mpg isn't to be sniffed at - and the Stop and Go system, whereby the engine cuts out when you come to a standstill and sparks back into life when the clutch is depressed, worked effectively too.

All models come with air con, electric front windows, remote central locking, tinted glass, six airbags, hill assist, ABS and electronic stability control as standard, while Venga 2 adds 16-inch alloy wheels, electric door mirrors and iPod cable and Venga 3 heralds climate control front fog lamps, rear privacy glass and the panoramic sunroof.