IT'S Kia's big little car - well, certainly one of them - and is one of the most accomplished in the Korean car maker's stable.

Kia says the Venga is a mini-MPV that still in sits in the highly-competitive zone that features such competition as the VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208.

Stiff competition but like the rest of the Kia stable, the little car is an impressive performer in terms of practicality and style. The range of engines are also moderate drinkers while low CO2 output keep the lid on running costs. On top of this there is the industry-leading seven-year warranty for peace of mind.

Kia's are no longer cheap and cheerful and for the tested range-topper you are looking at forking out just under £17,000, but the levels of equipment still make it highly competitive so you get plenty for you cash.

Even the entry model, which starts at £11,495 offers a full range of safety kit and stability and traction control as standard features.

A full-five seater, it offers eye-catching styling and MPV practicality, with a fully-flat floor with the rear seats folded, and a split level boot space that allows for concealment of more expensive items increasing from 440, litres to 1,253 litres.

The interior also offers a number of storage compartments, drinks holders and oddment holders that you would expect with this type of vehicle.

At first glance the car has a passing resemblance to one of the original mini-MPVs, the Audi A2. But it does offer cleaner, more modern styling with short overhangs and pronounced wheel arches. The test model range-topper adds to this with smart alloys and has an all-glass, two-piece sliding panoramic sunroof covering almost the entire roof area.

The interior is well-appointed and equipment levels are high, even for the entry-level version with standard kit including air conditioning, driver's seat height adjustment, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment,  electric front windows, remote central locking and tinted glassy six speaker audio system with RDS radio, CD player, full MP3 compatibility, AUX and USB ports.

All five seats are comfortable and well supported and the interior feels solid and well put together.

The stylish console is the centrepiece of the car and instrumentation is legible and logical.

The 1.6-litre diesel engine is the test model proved itself both lively and frugal. It features stop/start technology and a massive claimed 64.2mpg, which seemed pretty optimistic over a week of motoring.

The engine itself is pretty refined if not that lively, but there is plenty of pulling power on tap for hauling a small family and their bits and pieces around. It is mated to a smooth and precise six-speed gearbox and the whole package comes together as a very accomplished car.

Eight variants of the Venga are available in three trim choices  badged Venga ‘1', Venga ‘2' and Venga ‘3'.

Diesel models have EcoDynamics badging so that buyers can immediately recognise them as the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the range - but having said that they are all pretty economical.