Kia cee’d

Acclaimed hatch has gone under knife in a bid to close gap on newer rivals. have the changes been a success?

Auto Express Car Reviews

September 2009

Rating:

It only feels like it was launched yesterday, but the Kia Cee’d has been given a mid-life facelift.

The results are impressive, with a fresh look and a raft of improvements for a car that first hit UK dealers in 2006.

For now, the five-door hatch and estate versions alone have been tweaked, with an upgraded three-door Pro_cee’d to follow in 2010.

A striking new grille and reshaped headlamps give the illusion of a lower, wider stance. At the rear, a refreshed tail-light cluster mimics the appearance of more expensive LEDs. Completing the look are revamped alloy wheels, as well as a choice of five new colours.

Inside, the basic cabin is unchanged, but the central stack of the dashboard has been restyled. It’s now easier on the eye and more intuitive.

Better materials are used for the air vent surrounds and door trim, too, with high-gloss black included for the first time in a Kia. It’s subtle, but altogether more appealing.

The company has bent over backwards to refine the experience from behind the wheel. Kia’s engineers have tweaked the suspension and chassis for a more comfortable ride, sharpening the steering and adding soundproofing inside the bodyshell. The result is that the Cee’d is a far quieter and more comfortable car.

The ride is impressively well damped, and takes the sting out of rough road surfaces, yet at the same time, the suspension is firm enough to resist body roll.

Buyers will still be able to choose from three petrol engines and two diesels, although the popular 1.6-litre CRDi oil-burner has been replaced by an all-new unit of the same capacity.

This promises greater torque from low in the rev range, while also giving improved fuel economy and emissions.

Elsewhere, the addition of low-resistance tyres across the range reduces average CO2 emissions.

The 89bhp 1.6-litre diesel is as impressive on the road as the figures suggest, with its 255Nm of torque making for effortless progress.

So overall, it’s a solid update for Kia’s hatch.

A sharper look blends with a stronger package to ensure the Korean five-door is now even better equipped to take on the best in its class.

Rival: Honda Civic
Striking looks, punchy engines, a generous boot and sharp steering keep Honda near top of class. But impractical rear doors and poor visibility let it down.

1 Comment

Facelift 1.4 Ceed i

I am still recovering from shock having test driven the basic version today that is available at £7995 on the road yes on the road if you have an old bangar to scrap. Only available in white as standard with silver and black metallic at £375 extra but what a car for 'a lot more money'. The performance figures quoted appear accurate and the top speed etc achievable if that really matters to your street cred. Dealing with the only negative first is that the 1.4 engine tis a tad 'revvy' by today's standards 3500 rev at 70 mph but that said it is still relatively quiet at this speed. It is quite nippy but has to revved with generous use of the gears to keep ahead at the traffic light starting grid. This might matter to a certain top gear presenter but back in the world of reality do these points really matter to the average sensible family driver? The good points.... there are plenty of them .... The subtle styling update visually lowers the stance of the car and outshines outdated rivals such as the Hyundai i30 and Skoda Octavia and the more expensive Ford Focus. Kia are now including tinted electric front windows, central locking, air con etc etc as standard. The seats and interior trim are of better quality and there is ample legroom for four/five six foot adults and good boot space. Handles, corners, brakes and soaks the bumps well. I have been looking and have test driven a Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus, VW Golf but thought I would take a look at what the cheaper Hyundais, Skodas and Kias had to offer. As a spacious family commuter and runnabout even at its normal on the road price it is great value but with the scrappage deal it really is a no brainer with the 7 year warranty. A Kia owner I will be and keep the £4K + for a holiday or better still a nice Ducati 900 I have spotted. Never posted anything before but am completely gob smacked after the test drive.. Pity Kia are n't offering a similar deal on the diesel version with its £35 road tax but maybe they will in time. That may be worth waiting for if like me you prefer a slow revving oil burner. You could waste a lot of money just to have a chrome badge with Vauxhall Ford or VW stuck on the bonnet. In case you are thinking..... I have no affiliation with Kia or the motor industry whatsoever

By ridgenidge on 6 November, 2009, 12:09am

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.