Kia Cee’d

Kia Cee’d SW 1.6 GS

Auto Express Car Reviews

February 2008

The revolution at Kia continues. The Korean firm struck gold with the Cee’d – it helped breathe new life into a manufacturer that had a less than glowing reputation in the UK. The sporty three-door Pro_cee’d has just gone on sale, and plans are in place for two new supermini-sized models.

Yet it’s the practical Cee’d SW that we’re looking at here. As with the hatch, its styling is far from groundbreaking, but is neat and unfussy. Indeed, we think the estate is a little more distinctive than the standard car thanks to the Volvo-esque rear lights that slope up to the roofline. Details such as the upswept C-pillars help it stand out further.

Boasting 1,644 litres, the boot is the largest here – amazing considering that the Kia is 353mm shorter than the V70, the biggest of the rivals. In fact, the luggage area isn’t even the longest or widest on test.

Factor in the low price tag and the Kia looks even more impressive. Yet don’t think it is a budget car – far from it. Quality is very good and the boot is well thought out, too – the rear seat bases flip up, allowing the backs to sit flat, which makes carrying, say, a fridge a breeze. There are two fairly pointless cubbies in each corner, but beneath the floor is a deep storage bin along with a shallower tray: combined, they offer an extra 55 litres of stowage. The Cee’d certainly makes the best use of such space – there’s even a slot for an umbrella!

It seems Kia has focused on the basics with the Cee’d SW – and it’s got them spot-on. The traditional interior layout means it’s spacious and easy to live with. And the driving position is very good, with a dash layout that’s neat. There’s a simple-to-use feel to the whole car, and that’s reflected in the cabin.

There are a few weak points such as the shiny instrument binnacle, and if you search you can find some low-rent plastics, but they don’t detract from what is a comfortable and pleasant driving environment. Rear passenger space is superb, too; with 750mm of legroom it’s the best here, again an amazing feat.

On the whole, the Kia rides smoothly and the chassis deals well with rough surfaces, but over potholes it is crashy. The body structure also feels a little flexible in bends, and while competent and tidy, the experience is not very precise. In everyday conditions, though, the Cee’d is safe and secure.

Yet the best thing about it is the price. At £12,995, it’s excellent value for money – and for serious load-luggers it makes plenty of sense. Add in Kia’s still unrivalled seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, plus generous standard kit, and the Cee’d is an even more tempting package. We reckon the Korean maker has come up with a real gem in the form of the SW, and as with the hatchback, it will certainly surprise many people.