what is it about my Kia Pride's engine that makes it wonderfully low on petrol consumption?

Answer 1

Not just the engine, the car is small, light and the engine is small because it doesn't need to be bigger. It's also an engine of modern design I suppose. Much progress has been made outside the US on engine technology.
Easy really.

Answer 2

The hamsters under the hood were trained on a very strict diet of alfalfa & water, so they don't eat much.