This is Kia’s new and improved cee’d hatchback.
And unlike some models that may just get some new floor mats – this update is pretty significant.
There’s reshaped bumpers, more powerful and more efficient engines and tweaks to its
interior.
But the big changes are experienced behind the wheel – and we’ll come to those in
a bit.
Two other major additions are the brand spanking new ecoTurbo three-cylinder petrol – which
we’ve got today – and the sporty new GT Line trim, which we’ve also got – and
this adds a host of cool exterior touches like 17-inch alloys, sill extensions and black
detailing.
that nice angelic music’s a nice touch.
Now, the GT Line flair continues on the inside with unique seat designs, alloy pedals and
a nice leather wrap on the steering wheel and gear stick.
The GT Line trim’s quite tech-heavy as well, as it gets a seven-inch touchscreen with a
reversing camera and sat-nav.
It’s also got the likes of digital radio.
If you strip all the GT Line trimmings away though and go for the entry-level 1 trim,
you still get loads of kit – which has been a Kia trait for some time now – with the
likes of a radio CD player, Bluetooth and air-con.
Build quality is pretty solid as well, with minimal cheap plastics and a nice gloss fascia.
The only slightly naff feature is the small, outdated-looking orange screen in the middle
of the dash.
Practicality all-round is really good in the cee’d – with enough leg room to keep you
comfortable and a fair amount of headroom, especially when you consider its stylish exterior.
The seats also fold down fairly flat, allowing for up to 1,318 litres of storage, or if you
put the seats up, you get up to 380 litres in the boot.
Before I go off on one about the three-cylinder, I just want to say that the cee’d is still
available with the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol, which is so so, and the likes of the 1.6-litre
diesel, which now has increased power and a new seven-speed automatic gearbox.
But, the big news is this new 1.0-litre turbo, available with either 98bhp or 118bhp.
We’ve got the 118 model mated to a six-speed manual and unlike other small three-cylinder
turbos from Ford or Vauxhall, we’ve found the acceleration in this one more gradual,
instead of the throttle being like an on and off switch.
And yes, you still get that trademark, three-cylinder growl.
Now, it could be argued that gradual acceleration is less fun, but it actually just makes the
cee’d easier to live with.
But don’t get me wrong, drop a few gears and it still packs quite a punch – reaching
60mph in 10.7 seconds.
The best way to describe the drive in the old cee’d is that it was, well, meh.
But that’s not the case with the new model.
Kia’s boffins have made the steering more precise and engaging and it now has a fully
independent suspension.
That means it handles better and is incredibly comfortable to drive.
It even gets torque vectoring to minimise understeer.
Word of advice though, stick to the Normal steering mode.
There are Comfort and Sport modes available – but it’s one extreme to another with
them, be it far too light or overly heavy and artificial.
So the cee’d has clearly had a significant overhaul – but what does that mean price
wise?
Well, entry-level models are still cheaper than a Focus, Astra or Golf – but they are
pricier than a Hyundai i30.
Go for a three-cylinder GT Line like this one - and you are looking at upwards of £20,000.
The new cee’d is definitely a milestone for Kia though.
A few years ago you might have thrown the cee’d in the same bracket as a lot of other
run-of-the-mill hatchbacks – but now, with its improved drive, it’s a real competitor
to class leaders like the Focus.
And… you still get Kia’s seven-year warranty.
But what do you think of the new cee’d?
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