It's a weird competition in Korea.
Every time Hyundai show a new model, Kia will follow with a better looking body.
Like now. 2 Months ago we drove the new Hyundai i30, time for the Kia Cee'd.
The i30 looks just fine, but the Cee'd is far more pretty.
The headlights and the C-pillar are more sporty shaped.
The interiour looks far better as well.
The i30 is more usual and symmetric.
This panel is shaped around the driver.
It reminds me of Audi, even an R8.
So the drive must be great, sporty like the looks.
But no. It's exactly like the i30.
Fine, well balanced, comfortable.
But not the sharpness you'd expect.
The Korean steering has always be too light, but there's a solution.
Like the i30, the power steering can be ajusted in 3 settings.
My expectations were high. But I'm sorry to say..
When you change it while driving, you will notice something.
But if you'd blind me and ask me to guess what setting it is...
.. I'd have no clue.
You do get slightly more resistance, but it isn't more communicating.
The seating is very good. Fine seats, adaptable steering position.
I'd like it a bit lower though.
The Cee'd is 5 cm taller, 1 cm steeper and slightly wider.
In spite of the new platform, the wheelbase didn't change.
The interiour became spacier, especially in the rear.
The trunk is 40 liters bigger.
The Cee'd comes with 4 different engines, 2 diesels and 2 petrol.
The strongest petrol has 136 hp and a manual 6 gear.
This is the strongest diesel with 128 hp, with 97 g CO2/km.
For the 1.6 petrol there will be the DTC double clutch transmission.
AutoWeek Verdict: +design +interiour -little choise of engines -steering too light
The Cee'd comes in May, the SW will follow shortly after that.
I am looking forward to the Procee'd, that will come in 2013.
It will have the turbo engine from the Hyundai Veloster.
We don't know yet how powerful it will be, but in the Veloster that's 200 hp.
That can become a nice little bomb.