A Kia to match the best car review
04/12/12
By Peter Hayward
Driving Force
THE quality of Kia’s cars has been improving in leaps and bounds and with the cee'd it is up with the European and Japanese competition.
It is a very good, reasonably priced alternative to the Vauxhall Astra or Renault Megane with a range that includes a five door hatch, an estate and a three door called the pro_cee'd.
Petrol engines are 1.4 or 1.6-litre with 104 or 120bhp and diesel choices are two 1.6 units with either 89 or 113bhp, and a 2.0-litre with 138bhp.
Best buy is the 113bhp 1.6 CRDi diesel, which has smooth, punchy performance and excellent economy.
All five door models have a comfortable ride but some pro_cee’d models have stiffer, more sporting suspension and do not take the lumps and bumps so well.
Obviously the pro_cee'd handles better but they all take the corners well with strong grip and good power steering.
Later models came with a seven year warranty which is transferable.
Interior
The driving position is comfortable for all and the simple dash layout makes it very easy to live with. There is plenty of space for five with good legroom front and rear and a huge boot.
Safety is excellent but stability control is only an option. The CD player plays MP3 files and has a port for an iPod and other equipment.
FAST FACTS
Kia cee'd 1.6 CRDi
Price: Pay about £5,100 for an ’08 08-reg GS five-door, or £9,000 for a ’10 10-reg cee'd 3
Mechanical: 113bhp, 1,582cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 117mph
0-62mph: 11.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 62
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 118g/km
Main rival: Renault Megane
Motors.co.uk value verdict:
