The cee’d family becomes the first range of models to be available with Kia’s advanced new 1.0-litre ecoTurbo petrol engine
The refreshed Kia cee’d promises better quality and efficient engines, writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? Since it launched in 2006 the Kia cee’d marked a turning point for the Korean car maker and was the first of a new generation of cars designed with European buyers in mind. Compared to previous Kia offerings, the cee’d was a huge step forward – and they went on to sell more than one million of them.
Who is it aimed at? New for 2015, upgraded models now come with a new GT Line that is available on two of the three cee’d body types to suits a range of buyers from the five-door cee’d to the three-door pro_cee’d –while the kia promises the sporty looks and dynamics of the GT models with the versatility of the conventional cee’d model family.
Styling? The second generation cee’d has been refreshed and, while you have to look twice to spot the exterior changes, it has a more imposing road presence – but is still all very familiar, with Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, along with wrap-around headlamps and integrated fog lamps.
Under the Bonnet? Its very hard to believe that under the bonnet of our test car is a tiny three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine that manages to produces 120 bhp and 172Nm torque or sheer pulling power!
What about inside? Inside it is very stylish and sophisticated and everything from the switches to the controls are of a high quality.
The boot has a capacity of 380 litres and 1,300 when the seats are folded
On the Road? The cee’d is much improved and the suspension soaks up bumps and potholes nicely. It handles and corners really well and, while it’s still not quite as sharp as perhaps Ford’s Focus, the level of refinement and smoothness is as good as any rival. The engine is much punchier than the official figures suggest and has none of the droning whine we have come to expect from these turbo-charged, tiny petrol engines
And Safety? To help reduce accidents, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert add to the already comprehensive passive and active safety systems. Blind Spot Detection gives the driver an extra pair of ‘eyes’ when swapping lanes, while the Rear Cross Traffic Alert prevents the car from being reversed into the path of another vehicle when leaving end-on parking bays
Options?.Available on the cee’d is a new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT) which is essentially an automatic gearbox that combines the best aspects of both a manual and an automatic.
Will it break the bank? Prices for the 1-litre petrol turbo start at €20,650, and our GT press car comes in at €22.550. In terms of fuel economy our gutsy but small engine will return, according to official figures, 4.9 litres per 100km (60mpg) and C02 emissions are just 109g/km.
Verdict? The hatch-back market is one of the most competitive but the new Kia cee’d looks smarter than before, drives well and the addition of a 1.0 petrol engine option is a very timely one. Kia has thrown down the gauntlet to its rivals in style.
Why you’ll buy one? Engine: Price; Warranty
Why you won’t? Driving Dynamics not quite as sharp as rivals
Rivals
Opel Astra – Prices from €19,995
Honda Civic – Prices from €21,895
Ford Focus– Prices from €20,295
Kia cee’d GT Line 5 Dr 1.0 GDi
Engine: 998cc, 118bhp @6000, 171NM @4000
Max speed: 190km/h
0-100 kph: seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 109 g/km (Band A3 €190)
Model price range: €20,650(Test Car €22,550))
No of Doors: 5 doors
Euro NCAP : 5 stars
Fuel type: Petrol
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 4.9l/100km (60mpg)
Boot Capacity Seats up(down): 380 litres (1,300)
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 4310mm
Width: 1780mm
Height: 1470mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
For more information check out Kia Ireland , the Kia Ireland Facebook page or follow them on twitter here
Geraldine Herbert
11th November, 2015
