Kia

Ceed/Sportswagon

The Kia cee’d has become the Kia Ceed and it has matured in every aspect. It looks dynamic in its styling, boasts a range of punchy yet economical engines and is available in generously-equipped trim levels.

Test Drive

Kia Ceed Sportswagon 1.5 T-GDI 3 ADAP DCT (2021)

Kia has given its Ceed line-up a make-over to incorporate the company’s new design statement complete with corporate logo and it’s certainly a car that turns heads wherever it passes.

The Ceed is a vitally important model for the Korean car maker and the new version has been designed, engineered and built in Europe with comprehensive testing on European roads.

We tested the Ceed Sportswagon, which is available with three engines, three transmissions and three trim levels.

We opted for the mid-range Ceed Sportswagon ‘3’ version powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine delivering 158bhp and 253Nm of torque. The car, costing £26,345, could complete the 0-62mph sprint in 8.8 seconds and topped out at 130mph while delivering a combined 47.9mpg with carbon emissions of 134g/km.

New Ceed Sportswagon boasts a more dynamic look with new alloy wheel designs, privacy glass, LED daytime running lights, sweeping light clusters, roof rails, a gloss black diffuser, side air intakes, halogen projection headlights and that new badging.

Move inside and the cabin is upmarket, modern and very premium in its design and layout. There is black cloth upholstery and ample seat adjustment to get the perfect driving position.

Creature comforts are plentiful with the likes of a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection, a DAB radio, six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines and lots more besides.

When it comes to performance, the Ceed has always been a great car to drive and the latest Sportswagon exceeds high expectations. The punchy petrol engine delivers all the power needed to quickly accelerate the car to 70mph on motorways where it cruises effortlessly. It is refined with next-to-no noise filtering into the cabin and the highly effective suspension system smooths out bumps and dips as it goes.

The vehicle is nicely balanced on country lanes with excellent grip through tight bends and minimal sign of any body movement. The steering is well-weighted with plenty of driver feedback and there are drive modes called Normal and Sport to alter the dynamics of the car.

The seven-speed automatic transmission is perfectly timed and the Ceed Sportswagon also proved deceptively nimble in busier town centres as it weaved through the traffic. You will need a larger-than-life parking bay however as this car stretches 4.6 metres in length.

That’s because the Sportswagon version of the Ceed is designed for people who need that extra storage space. The boot can swallow 625 litres of luggage – a limit that is increased to 1,694 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. And there is a dual height luggage floor for added convenience.

There are lots of storage options throughout the cabin too, including a glovebox, front and rear cup holders, a storage box beneath the front armrest, deep door bins, front seatback pockets, coat hooks and some handy trays.

Comfort levels within the car are impressive and there is space in the back for a couple of adults – add a third and it gets a little cosy, but three youngsters could easily be accommodated without any fuss.

Safety features are comprehensive with the likes of forward collision avoidance, hill-start assist, lane keep assist, lane follow assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, Isofix child seat fixtures and a full suite of airbags.

As is the Kia way, there are no unexpected extra charges to be paid as there are no options fitted to the car – the customer simply decides exactly what they want and then chooses the trim level to match.

And of course, for added peace of mind, the Ceed Sportswagon comes with Kia’s outstanding seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Test Drive

Kia Ceed (2018) – first drive

The rather irritating lower-case letters and apostrophe have been ditched and cee’d has become Ceed, but it’s a lot more than a renaming process as Kia spells out a harsh warning to rivals in the C-segment.

When the original Kia cee’d began production in Slovakia back in 2006, who would have guessed that more than 1.3 million units would be built and, like its predecessors, the new third generation Ceed has been designed, developed and engineered in Frankfurt by Kia’s European design, product development and R&D teams.

It’s new from the ground up and customers have plenty of choice with 11 variants based on three engines, two transmissions and four trim levels.

The five-door hatchback is lower, wider and, with a longer rear overhang, looks sportier and more dynamic in its styling. The traditional ‘tiger nose’ grille has been stretched and there are lower air intakes as well as ice cube LED daytime running lights.

The interior has moved upmarket too taking much of its inspiration from the Stinger. There are improved quality materials throughout and the dashboard is laid out horizontally for a more sculpted appearance. The dash itself is split into two sections, with the upper half housing the floating touchscreen infotainment system and the lower level is where the controls for the audio, heating and ventilation are located.

There’s a wide choice of powertrains on offer. Diesel fans will be delighted to learn that the Ceed is available with Kia’s all-new U3 diesel engine that has been designed to be cleaner than the strict Euro-6d-Temp Emissions regulations laid down. It’s a 1.6-litre engine with 114bhp. And on the petrol front is a 1.0-litre 118bhp engine or an all-new 1.4-litre unit delivering 138bhp.

Every engine can be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.4-litre T-GDi and 1.6-litre CRDi powertrains are also available with a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission.

The generously equipped trim levels are called ‘2’, ‘Blue Edition’, ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’ and all models are front-wheel drive.

Grade ‘2’ offers the likes of cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, automatic lights, 16-inch alloys, electric windows, fog lights, premium cloth upholstery, Bluetooth with voice recognition, DAB radio and full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Step up to Blue Edition and you will see the introduction of the likes of 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, stainless steel pedals, a USB fast charger, an eight-inch touchscreen with sat nav and privacy glass. This is a special version available from launch in a new colour called Blue Flame and is paired with the 1.4 T-GDI engine.

Grade ‘3’ builds on the comprehensive equipment levels of Blue Edition and adds dual-zone automatic air conditioning, upgraded upholstery and a few other features.

Finally, the top-of-the-range First Edition models boast lots of smart technology with a park assist system. There’s black leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats with 10-way power adjustment, a sunroof, heated steering wheel and plenty more besides.

New Ceed has a 395-litre boot which is 15 litres larger than its predecessor and with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat that capacity increases to 1,291 litres.

We drove two Ceed models on motorways, country lanes and the twisting mountain roads of Slovakia and with many uneven road surfaces along the route similar to those in the UK, it was the ideal testing ground.

First up was the 1.4 T-GDi petrol model in range-topping First Edition trim and paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. This car was priced at £26,850 and could sprint from 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds, maxing out at 128mph. According to official figures, it delivers combined fuel economy of 50.4mpg with carbon emissions of 127g/km.

The First Edition grade is very premium in its styling and the level of on-board technology is generous. Comfort levels are excellent and there’s sufficient space in the back for two adults or three for shorter journeys if they don’t mind rubbing shoulders.

The automatic gearbox is beautifully timed delivering smooth and responsive acceleration with ample power on tap. There are Normal and Sport driving modes that adjust the car’s dynamics with Sport livening up the throttle responses and steering for sharper handling.

Kia has targeted dynamism and driver engagement when upgrading the new suspension and steering systems on the latest Ceed and this is really apparent when firing along winding roads with lots of hairpin bends.

The road holding is confident with little body movement even when driven enthusiastically into long sweeping bends and the cabin is refined with barely a sound filtering through from the engine or road surface. Most bumps and dips are ironed out along the way and only most severe surfaces will cause any jitters.

Motorway cruising is a doddle and even at higher national speed limits the car feels comfortable and confident to push on.

Next up was the Ceed powered by the all-new 1.6-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox in ‘2’ grade. This car, priced at £19,545, could reach 60mph from a standing start in 10.6 seconds, topped out at 118mph and boasted impressive running costs with combined fuel economy of 74.3mpg and carbon emissions of 99g/km.

Once again, the Ceed impressed on a range of roads and although it wasn’t quite as lively as the petrol model, it delivered plenty of power to overtake slower moving vehicles at short notice. The diesel engine is nicely tuned and barely a sound can be heard even under heavy acceleration. And with those efficiency stats, this is the model that will have the fleet market sitting up and taking note.

Although the car has yet to be tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating, Kia is confident of a dual four or five stars rating depending which safety kit is fitted. That’s because the Ceed is packed with safety features and driver aids such as seven airbags, driver attention warning, lane keep assist, high beam assist and forward collision warning with forward collision avoidance assist.

A first for Kia on the safety front is the introduction of Lane Follow Assist, which is fitted as standard to First Edition models. This tracks the car in front of the Ceed in traffic and identifies safe and appropriate spaces in other lanes to gain ground in heavy traffic. It detects lane markings to keep the car on track on motorways and controls acceleration, braking and steering depending on the convoy of vehicles ahead. This system operates between 0 and 81mph.

And there’s even more safety and driver assist kit as standard on First Edition models, including smart cruise control with Stop and Go, blind spot collision warning, smart parking assist, plus pedestrian recognition for forward collision warning.

As is the norm with Kia, every Ceed comes with the company’s unique seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty which is fully transferable if the car is sold on.

New Ceed is in showrooms now and will be priced from £18,295 rising to £26,850. The car is the first of a whole new Ceed family that Kia will be launching over the next two years – exciting times ahead then.

Test Drive

Kia cee’d Sportswagon GT-Line 1.6 T-GDi 118bhp manual

Kia has really upped the ante in the family estate car market by introducing an eye-catching and athletic GT-Line model to its cee’d Sportswagon line-up and the range-topper is certainly dressed to thrill.

It features a GT-Line exterior styling pack that introduces lots of black to the mix, such as the likes of a graphite chrome grille surround with black high gloss mesh, a black lower grille, twin exhaust pipes, black high gloss LED light housing, number plate surround and fog light housings, plus fabulous ice-cube LED daytime running lights that set the car off a treat.

In addition, there are 17-inch alloys, automatic headlight control, a rear spoiler, cornering lights, privacy glass and lots more besides.

Step inside the classy cabin and similarly to the outside, the GT-Line interior pack has a black theme adding black headlining, plus black cross-stitch upholstery with silver stitching which also features on the steering wheel, gear lever, door trim and seats.

There is an abundance of on-board technology to explore with features such as a six-speaker sound system with DAB radio and full media connectivity capabilities, a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system, a reversing camera with parking sensors, ambient lighting and a cooled glovebox all included in the asking price.

The test car carried a £21,220 price-tag and was powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder 118bhp petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It could reach from 0-60mph in 11.0 seconds, topped out at 116mph, and according to official figures can deliver combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg with carbon emissions of 120g/km.

The interior of the cee’d Sportswagon is deceptively spacious with ample room for four adults to stretch out in comfort with plenty of leg, shoulder and head space in the rear. There is room for a third back seat passenger if necessary, but it’s a little bit of a squeeze to be honest.

One of the major plus-points of the car is how beautifully simple it is to drive. The three-cylinder engine delivers all the power you could wish for and the acceleration through the gears is both smooth and responsive. It’s a car that’s very easy to live with – all the technology is uncomplicated and the instrumentation is clear and simple to absorb in the very driver-focused cockpit.

In busy traffic the cee’d Sportswagon cruised along nicely and the all-round visibility is good. Then out on faster roads and country lanes, it really burst into action. The road-holding was confident and assured, and the steering nice and precise. There is a little engine and road surface noise if pushed particularly hard, but it’s not too bad at all really.

The car also has all the practicality bases covered with a boot capacity of 528 litres, which can be increased to 1,660 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. It’s worth noting that this capacity is reduced slightly if the car is supplied with a temporary spare wheel.

As one has come to expect from Kia, the vehicle boasts a comprehensive range of safety equipment, including anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, emergency stop signalling, hill-start assist, electronic stability control, intelligent Stop & Go, numerous airbags and lots more.

All in all, the cee’d Sportswagon is quite the complete package. It looks smart, drives well, it’s generously equipped, practical and also economical to run. Factor in the impressive 7 year/100,000-mile Kia warranty and it is the perfect car for an active family who appreciate excellent value for money.

Test Drive

Kia cee’d 1.6 CRDi ‘4’ 7-speed auto DCT ISG

With its dynamic sporty styling, abundance of top notch technology and outstanding economy figures the Kia cee’d could be the ideal solution for anyone looking for a quality car that won’t break the bank.

The five-door cee’d looks smart from any approach thanks to its sleek streamlining, tinted windows, 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, body-coloured bumpers and rear spoiler.

Move inside and it’s difficult not to be impressed with the level of on-board technology, which all comes included in the standard price so there are no unexpected add-on costs for optional extras.

Techno treats and creature comforts include heated leather seats, a chunky grab handle-styled gearstick, metal pedals, a leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel, dual zone air con, a six-speaker sound system with DAB radio, MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, sat nav, reversing sensors with camera and plenty more besides.

The interior is bright and spacious with ample room for four adults (five at quite a squeeze) and there are plenty of storage options scattered throughout the car including a cooling glovebox, overhead sunglasses compartment, cup holders, boot nets and underfloor storage. The generously-sized boot can cater for 380 litres worth of luggage and that capacity can be increased to 1,300 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

The test car, priced at £23,730, was powered by a 1.6-litre 134bhp diesel-driven engine mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. According to official figures it can sprint to 60mph from a standing start in 10.2 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph. Along the way it can achieve combined fuel economy of 72.4mpg with carbon emissions of 103g/km.

So the cee’d certainly looks the business and is richly-equipped with plenty of gadgetry, but how does it shape up when put to the test? The answer is very well with a performance to equally match its dynamic styling.

In and around town, the clear all-round visibility is a bonus and the camera plus sensors make light work of any parking issues. Then out on faster roads and motorways, the engine delivers plenty of bite.

The acceleration through the gears is sharp and responsive with the option of paddle shifts to change gear manually when a little more edge is required. There is a constant supply of power on tap which helps to make light work of overtaking at short notice and the all-round handling is difficult to find fault with. The road-holding is assured at all times and that means any tight bends can be attacked with confidence.

There is a little engine and road surface noise when the cee’d is pushed particularly hard, but otherwise the cabin remains nicely hushed and well insulated against outside sounds.

The cee’d also boasts a comprehensive list of safety specifications, such as anti-lock brakes, hill-start assist, electronic stability control, emergency stop signalling, intelligent stop and go, plus numerous airbags.

All in all, the cee’d is a fabulous family hatchback that is very big on value, performance and style. Plus it’s worth remembering that Kia models come with an impressive seven-year warranty too.

Test Drive

Kia cee’d Sportswagon 2 1.6 CRDi 6-speed manual

Buyers want plenty of bang for their bucks these days and Kia is the perfect solution with cars that look great, perform beautifully, boast excellent fuel economy and feature an asking price that will keep you on speaking terms with the bank manager.

The cee’d family has been going from strength to strength and the new Sportswagon model – which replaces the outgoing cee’d SW – is a perfect addition to the range.

Boasting a sporty, streamlined appearance the cee’d Sportswagon looks anything but a load-lugger. Instead its eye-catching features include16-inch alloys, body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and door handles, chrome window surrounds, roof rails, a rear spoiler, tinted windows, LED daytime running lights, a heated rear window with timer and plenty more besides.

Once inside, the build quality has a premium feel to it with creature comforts at every turn.

On-board technology includes dual-zone climate control, a multi-function steering wheel, all-round electric windows, a six-speaker sound system with CD player, MP3 compatibility, USB and AUX ports, Bluetooth connectivity and lots more.

The cee’d Sportswagon easily accommodates five adults and luggage limitations will never be an issue as the generously-sized boot can be expanded further thanks to 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Elsewhere, there are numerous handy storage compartments including a deep central bin, good-sized door pockets and a large glove-box.

There are a number of fuel-saving functions such as intelligent stop and go which switches off the engine when the car is stationary and a gear shift prompt.

It’s these sorts of technical advancements that help this particular model achieve a combined fuel economy of 64.2mpg.

But despite the efficiency, there is certainly no compromise on performance as the 1.6-litre engine powers from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 120mph.

Acceleration through the six-speed manual transmission is smooth and responsive and the road-holding is flawless.

All-round visibility is also excellent.

There is a little road surface noise at higher speeds, but it’s not substantial enough to worry about.

Kia has packed a comprehensive range of safety features into the car, such as anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist and numerous airbags.

With a choice of trim levels, driving transmissions and engines, the kia cee’d Sportswagon is a brilliant new arrival and one that throws down the gauntlet to more established estate car manufacturers.

Test Drive

Kia cee’d

Kia’s continuing march to success has just been strengthened further with the launch of the highly impressive second generation cee’d.

With its sportier stance, better aerodynamics and snazzy upmarket styling, the most popular car in the Kia range is guaranteed to turn heads.

The original cee’d was the first Kia model to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe. It was also the first Kia to carry that incredible transferable warranty covering seven years or 100,000 miles of motoring.

This latest cee’d is the perfect showcase for everything the South Korean company knows about design, quality, engineering and technology.

It goes on sale with a choice of four engines – 1.4 and 1.6 petrol plus 1.4 and 1.6 diesel. The 1.6 petrol model is also available with the new six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission – a world first for Kia.

Customers can also can select from four trim levels called 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the option of a 4 Tech version of cee’d 4.

In reality, all models are feature-rich and include comprehensive air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, a cooled glove-box, 60:40 split folding rear seats, daytime running lights, ambient front lighting, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, an iPod-compatible audio system with radio and CD player, Bluetooth connectivity, electronic stability programme, hill start assist control, six airbags and plenty more besides.

Move on up to cee’d 2 and you can expect to see 16-inch alloys, cornering lights, LED daytime running lights, cruise control with speed limiter, all-round electric windows, reversing sensors and lots more.

The cee’d 3 introduces privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers with de-icing elements, dual-zone automatic air con, automatic headlights with follow-me-home function, a seven-inch colour touch-screen with sat nav and built-in colour reversing camera.

The real daddy of the family is cee’d 4 which features 17-inch alloys, black and grey leather seats with three stage heating functions, a heated steering wheel, electronic parking brake, rear air ventilation, and a whole lot more.

Finally, the 4 Tech completes the cee’d range with a panoramic sunroof, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, parallel parking assist, lane departure warning system and more.

This wide choice of spec levels and engine types along with a selection of prices ranging from £14,395 and rising to £23,795 means potential buyers have all the flexibility they could wish for.

The latest cee’d is more elegant in its design with a wider front end, smart light clusters, smoother streamlining, a class-leading sized boot with additional under-floor storage and it generally boasts an all-round sporty, stylish and sophisticated appearance.

And once inside, you simply cannot fail to be impressed with the build quality and technical wizardry that surrounds you. Kia has really upped the ante and all the read-out dials along with the sporty leather steering wheel are very Audi-esque in appearance – I think that gives some indication to the quality Kia has been striving to achieve with this car.

Kia believes the 1.6 models in number 2 spec will prove most popular, so both the petrol and diesel models with six-speed manual transmission were put through their paces during a drive incorporating Swiss mountain roads and faster motorways.

Both models were easily up to the challenge.

During the lengthy test drive, both cars handled beautifully.

The driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility which is invaluable when driving through busy towns and villages with cars and pedestrians appearing from nowhere.

Another plus factor was the lack of cabin noise even inside the diesel model, although this was slightly louder than its petrol counterpart.

The sixth gear is also a welcome bonus, especially on faster motorway roads.

Acceleration was pretty impressive as the car weaved its way up winding mountain roads and the road-holding was exceptional.

Rear seat passengers are treated to ample space with plenty of leg, head and shoulder room making any journey a pleasant one no matter how long.

I also had the opportunity to test out the top-of-the-range 4 Tech model with the 1.6 petrol engine and Kia’s new double clutch transmission. Despite costing £23,795, this car handled like any top range premium model.

It accelerated smoothly through the gears with steering wheel mounted paddles as an option if required.

The interior boasted the finest leathers with all the bells and whistles you could possibly wish for.

Although the bulk of new cee’d sales will be from the lower trim models, it’s exciting to see Kia is very capable of competing with the big guns when it wants to.

The Kia brand is gaining in strength and reputation with every new car it produces and this latest cee’d model will see the company catapult up the rankings even further.