There was a time when Kia was known for selling tough but somewhat agricultural cars that appealed for their straightforward approach, but not their finesse. Then in 2006 it launched the original cee’d and kickstarted a mission to completely transform how its brand was perceived. It is a sign of how fast things have moved in the past 12 years that the arrival of the all-new, third-generation ceed (now SEO optimised and minus the apostrophe) is as noteworthy as that of any other family car save perhaps the Volkswagen Golf. For these days not only do we expect good value, but also true progress, with the end result being a car that’s as good as – if not better than – the established European players. Expectations are high, but does the 2018 ceed deliver? THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT That is not, however, to say that the ceed is a bargain. Indeed, these days it costs roughly the same as many of its established rivals such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai i30. EQUIPMENT LEVELS Plus, the cars continue to be extremely well equipped as standard. For example, currently the ceed range kicks off with ‘2’ specification, which one could argue is all that’s needed. There’s alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, DAB radio, a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist. Move up the range and the wheels grow from 16 inches to 17, the wiper operation becomes automatic, the basic air-conditioning turns into dual-zone climate control, the touchscreen grows to 8 inches and includes sat-nav with full European mapping, and additional safety features such as blind spot monitors and cruise control with stop and go are added. Top-spec First Edition models meanwhile include leather seats, a sunroof, LED headlights, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry. THE DRIVE We’ve so far tested a manual with the diesel engine. It’s a pleasingly gutsy unit with good mid-range pulling power (0-62mph takes 10.6 seconds), and is capable of returning a real world 60mpg. If you want a diesel family hatchback (which, admittedly, fewer people do these days), the ceed is a solid choice, although the unusually long gearing won’t be to all tastes. Where this car has really made progress compared with its predecessors though is in the way it handles. Previous ceeds were a little ordinary in this department, but not any more. The steering is now quicker to respond and much better weighted, the body control is improved without harming ride comfort, and the chassis feels stable and balanced. While still not quite class leading as a driver’s car, the ceed is certainly much nearer the front of the pack than before. THE VERDICT As always with Kia, a large part of that comes down to the warranty, which provides long-term peace of mind, and there’s no denying that equipment levels are generous. However, what really makes this latest generation of ceed stand out compared with its predecessors is the way it drives, feeling much better suited to British roads. What we have here, then, is a Kia you can buy with your heart as well as your head. Price: Kia ceed range from £18,295, car as tested from £19,545 (1.6 CRDi 6-speed manual ‘2’) KIA CEED HISTORY Kia ceed Mk2 In the market for a used car? CarGurus makes it easy to find great deals from top-rated dealers. CarGurus compares price, detailed vehicle data and dealer reviews to give each used car a deal rating from great to overpriced, and sorts the best deals first. Find out more and begin your used car search at CarGurus The content above is for informational purposes only and should be independently verified. Please see our Terms of Use for more details. Family Value: 2018 Kia Ceed Driven posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/ via Blogger Family Value: 2018 Kia Ceed Driven
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April 2018
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