No ifs no buts, the Kia Cee’d is an exceptionally good motor car. There was a time when folk looking at a Kia would say “It’s a good car – but …”, or they might have said “it would be better – if …”.
No longer. The Kia cee’d 1.6 CRDi ISG 2 is a serious competitor for Focus and Golf, or Astra and Megane, on its own merit. For sure there are things that could be better, but that could be said of any car these days. In their rush to make ‘global cars’ that appeal to all tastes and all of humanity, all manufacturers are making compromises in size, power and accommodation to try and make them more accommodating to more people.
To further widen that appeal, manufacturers are now loading up the cars with more options and longer specification sheets so that having narrowed down the vehicle choice it can be specc’ed up to suit personal taste.
So despite increased general appeal, that leaves the potential punter with an even bigger choice despite this move towards standardisation across the world.
On that basis the Kia Cee’d has to compete with some serious mid range heavyweights. On its way to the nation’s Kia showrooms it has been driven through an accessory shop with the result that even this ‘eco’ model comes loaded with stuff that other entry level cars would call options. For instance, it has 16 inch alloy wheels, cornering lights, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing front wipers with de-icing elements, electrically heated and folding door mirrors, leather trim, steering wheel controls, cruise control and TWO 12v sockets plus USB and AUX.
Like most small capacity diesels, the nought to 60 time is nothing to boast about, but that’s not what diesels are about, it’s their speed through the gears once on the move that counts. The modest 126 bhp lump generates a more than adequate 260 Nm of torque and the wee thing can be propelled along country roads at indecent speeds with all the aplomb of a lady heptathlete spotting a handbag sale.
And that’s because the handling has been greatly improved over the first generation cee’d. It is nearly as competent as its rivals so it shows just how much they have improved on this one. The gearbox may be more Cortina than Focus, and although it may lack the sheer precision of some other manual shifts, it does what it says on the knob. The casual driver won’t notice any difference as he pushes or pulls it through any of its six forward positions.
In fact, encouraging the spirited driver are the comfort levels inside this car. The driver’s seat is really well shaped, has plenty of adjustment fore and aft, and up and down, to accommodate all shapes and sizes, plus the rear seat and legroom has been designed to cope with genuine adult sized people wearing their legs where they should be.
Interior accommodation has not come at the expense of boot space either. Although there is a high-ish sill over which to lift bags and boxes, it’s not too bad, while under the floor there is a tray to hide smaller valuables away from prying eyes.
This particular model has another ace up its sleeve. This 1.6 litre diesel has ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go), Kia’s own engine stop/start system which switches the engine off at traffic lights or in slow moving traffic. Admittedly it occasionally forgets to switch it back on again, requiring a quick fumble of the ignition key before the guy behind starts honking, but the system can be switched off if it becomes annoying.
However, the ISG works with the 1.6 litre turbo diesel to cut emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Although Kia claims a potential fuel economy of more than 76 mpg, with CO2 emissions from 97g/km, all such manufacturer claims should be treated with ‘real-life’ scepticism. In everyday motoring I was getting well over 55 mpg without even trying and I thought that perfectly acceptable in this size of car.
Kia has made huge advances in build quality and design over recent years and is constantly improving what has always been sound, basic, reliable engineering, but they are still trying hard. Take the interior light for instance. There are no separate switches to grope about looking for in the dark, a simple push of the fitting itself switches the light on and off again. I liked that. Attention to detail.
Despite the name, the cee’d is a seriously good compact saloon, and it becomes better when you look at the price and the spec sheet and compare them to its rivals. Yes, prices have risen, but they are still more than competitive. The clincher surely is, that this car comes with a manufacturer’s 7 year Warranty.
Prices start from under 15 grand for the 1.4 litre petrol models whereas the car driven was priced at £18,295 and although Kia have put their prices up, on the basis of this second generation cee’d their confidence is matched by the quality. I could be tempted.