Kia cee'd Review
Published: 9th May 2008
Kia ceed Review
Designed in Europe; built in Europe; sold exclusively in Europe… The Kia cee’d hatchback was introduced to the UK in February 2007, followed by the Estate version the SW (Station Wagon) in September of that year and replaces the Kia Cerato range.
Taking on the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall’s Astra the cee’d is the latest model from the Korean manufacturer Kia. It is built at Zilina which lies deep in the Slovakian countryside at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.
It was not so long ago that Kia did not have much of a reputation in the UK producing models such as the budget Pride – but over the last few years they have introduced a broad range of cars and SUV’s to appeal to a wider UK audience.
Currently in the UK, Kia has a 12-model line-up based on four trim levels and five engines: 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol units, two versions of the all-new European-designed and built 1.6-litre turbo diesel and a range topping 2.0-litre turbo diesel.
We drove two models back to back - the 1.6 litre (113 bhp) diesel hatchback and the 1.6 litre petrol SW (Station Wagon) (120 bhp), both cars were LS models and equipped with five-speed manual gearboxes. Kia predict that the divide between the petrol and diesel power plants will be evenly split, with the most popular model set to be the 1.6-litre diesel hatchback in LS trim.
