Kia cee'd Road Test

Kia cee'd

The fuel consumption, as I said, is pretty amazing: 49.6mpg for the urban cycle, a massive 67.3mpg for the extra-urban and the combined works out as 60.1mpg. What is more, the CO2 output is only 125g/km. The standard engine’s statistics are the same for the most part but the differences show in the 0-62mph time of 11.5 seconds (standard takes 13.8 seconds) and the top speed of 116mph, which is 10mph more than that of the lower output engine.

Despite the figures, the cee’d won’t fail those with a need for speed. It feels quick and sporty and is always ready to play. But there other benefits to having lots of torque on hand. The cee’d has just won the Green Award section of the 2007, Practical Caravan, What Car?, Towcar of the Year Awards and the Best Hatchback in the What Diesel Car? Awards, beating the Golf into second place. The judges of the Green Award said that the cee’d, “best blends towing ability with keen economy and low emission.”  I couldn’t have put it better but there’s more.

Kia and the cee’d have also won awards from Autocar and the Industry Transport Management for the company’s 7-year warranty, which is longer than any other European manufacturer and proof that Kia is confident in the build quality of its new car.

It may not look like it but the cee’d has quite a wide track and a long wheelbase, which makes it inherently stable and the independent front and rear suspension means that it is also agile on the twisty bits. I’ve said it so often that it almost sounds glib but this car is a joy to drive. It doesn’t matter if it is just down the road to the supermarket or the other end of the country, it is easy, it is comfortable, it does as it’s told and goes where you point it. What more could you ask for?

Electronic safety features are limited to ABS with EBD and only the LS models have the option of ESP with Brake Assist. The rest is down to the stiffness of the bodyshell and the dark art of progressive deformity. Twin front airbags are standard, as are front side and full length curtain airbags. Unfortunately, there are no Euro NCAP scores at the moment.

I didn’t think that I would like the cee’d, for no other reason than I thought it would be another ‘me too’ hatchback but appearances can be deceptive and it ex_cee’ded my expectations. Sorry, I just couldn’t resist it.