Kia cee'd SW 1.6 CRDi LS

Nov 28 2008 Malcolm Robertshaw

WHILE most people are not exactly fans of the name, the Kia c'eed - designed and built in Europe for the European market - is one of many serious steps forward taken by Kia.

The improved quality of plastics and fabrics in evidence on board the c'eed show that Kia has been paying attention to rivlas in the small car market.

Successfully created to be an excellent ownership proposition, the c'eed SW estate, comes with leather finish to the thick-rimmed and much more substantial feeling steering wheel. Centre console materials are also a big step up from those hard Kia plastics of yesteryear, while thoughtfully positioned buttons and dials have a European feel to them.

The dashboard, too, is neatly laid-out and there is plenty of space inside.

The boot offers a generous loadbay, behind a user-friendly large opening and low-loading lip, a maximum 1,664 litres of luggage space being available with the rear seats folded.

There is a choice of four engines, a 1.6-litre 120bhp petrol plus two 1.6 diesels yielding 89bhp and 113bhp respectively and a Sport version powered by a 2.0-litre 138bhp diesel unit.

All models come with electric front windows, air con with cooled glovebox, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, alloys, six airbags and MP3-compatible sound system with CD and steering wheel-mounted controls, plus remote central door locking.

The Kia c'eed SW is a quite handsome looking compact estate car. It stands well on the tarmac while on the move it has fine torsional stiffness which ensures that the c'eed maintains its composed and well balanced stance going in and out of corners.

The Kia c'eed SW driven here is powered by the 1.6-litre 113bhp CRDi paired with a five speed manual gearbox., delivering some seriously forceful pull while promising almost 60mpg over the combined driving cycle.

However, while the low speed ride proves a little on the firm side and the electric power steering could do with a bit more feel, the c'eed SW handles just as entertainingly as its hatchback stablemate.

Overall, this is yet another good value family vehicle from the Korean car maker and while, perhaps still not quite a Focus or a Golf in the ride and drive stakes, there is much in the c'eed SW to attract buyers, not least the ring of confidence Kia has created with its amazing seven-year warranty.

And if anything that indicates a faith in the product few rivals can match.

FAST FACTS

Kia c'eed SW 1.6 CRDi LS 5dr

Price : £15,370

Mechanical : 113bhp, 1,582cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 117mph

0-62mph : 11.7 secs

Combined mpg : 57.6

Insurance group : 6

CO2 emissions : 128g/km

BiK rating : 18%

Warranty : 7yrs/ 100,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 6yrs anti-rust