What is it?
Kia has sold nearly a quarter of a million Cee'ds since the smart-looking hatchback went on sale.
The new-look Kia Cee'd has been restyled by design director Peter Schreyer, but also features numerous technical improvements, including an all-new 89bhp, 1.6-litre common-rail turbodiesel and six-speed manual gearbox, an Idle Stop and Go option (stop-start to you and me) for all petrol and diesel models, and chassis modifications to improve the ride and sharpen the steering response.
Fuel economy has increased across the range and the 1.6-litre Ecodynamics turbodiesel will emit an estimated 110g/km of C02 when it goes on sale later this month.
What’s it like?
As soon as you pull away you’ll notice that Kia has worked hard to improve the ride in the Cee'd. Changes to the spring rates mean that the car soaks up the bumps in the road in the way that a family hatch should: effectively and without fuss. Body control and steering are still some way short of the class-leading Ford Focus, but they are a step forward and are adequate.
Inside, the cabin has been reworked to bring it in line with Kia’s ‘DNA’. There’s the soon-to-be standard three-dial instrument cluster and chic, matt-black plastics on the dash, though the door handles and trim to the sides look slightly out of place.
Refinement is much improved. The quieter turbodiesel and reduced wind noise mean that this is a relaxing motorway cruiser, particularly when you take into account the (tall) sixth gear of the new gearbox, compared to the standard five-speed boxes in all its competitors.
The new nose - the wider grille integrates the design with the rest of the model range - gives a sharper, more European look to the whole car, too.
Should I buy one?
The Kia Cee'd has always had plenty going for it - and now that's truer than ever. While there are areas where it still lags behind the absolute best, it's close enough to make it a wise choice for many drivers.
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