Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia cee’d 1.6 crdi

Ecodynamics tweaks help hatch clean up act.

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Kia Ceed
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

It’s better late than never for the Kia EcoDynamics brand. But the greenest Cee’d in the revised range is a well executed car that doesn’t sacrifice driving pleasure in the pursuit of better fuel economy and emissions. The facelift has freshened things up inside and out. Add stop-start, as well as revised suspension for a more refined ride, and it’s a strong choice.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Bosses at Kia are planting the Cee’ds of change! This is the first model to wear the new EcoDynamics badge – a green sub-brand that will eventually include hybrids, electric cars and even fuel cell vehicles.

The EcoDynamics hatch is powered by the 1.6-litre diesel, and for the first time gets ISG stop-start – technology Kia hopes to have fitted to 85 per cent of its cars by 2014. Low-rolling-resistance tyres and a new six-speed manual gearbox complete the modifications.

As a result, CO2 emissions fall from 119g/km in the standard 1.6 CRDi to 110g/km. Economy rises from 62.8mpg to 67.3mpg.

Besides the EcoDynamics bootlid badge, the newcomer looks identical to the rest of the revised range. So it gets the fresh nose and LED-effect tail-lights. Inside, a new centre console and aluminium trim improve things.

The 89bhp oil-burner feels flexible, and the stop-start cuts in unobtrusively in town and fires the diesel when you touch the clutch. Plus, the steering is weighty and the gearbox slick.

Kia offers the EcoDynamics in mid-range Cee’d 2 spec only, and charges more than for the regular car – the £14,195 price is the same as for the higher-powered 113bhp diesel. But the big fuel savings mean you’ll soon recoup that extra outlay.

Rival: Focus ECOnetic
Due for replacement at the end of 2010, the Ford leads the way with its sparkling handling and sharp styling. It’s pricier than the equivalent Cee’d, though.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024