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The Kia Ceed - Easy To Sell Hard To Spell

Could estates be making a comeback? MPVs and
SUVs have been taking a big chunk out of thatThe dashboard is very low level and simply
market in recent years. But companies likesorted for easy identification on the move
Kia  think that trend may be in reverse gear.but the bonnet slopes away so sharply that
none  of  it  can  be  seen when manoeuvring.
They point out that the lifestyle and leisure
vehicles are becoming expensive to buy andThe speedo, flagged up at 20/40/60 marks,
run  and have styling and design compromises.misses the important 30mph and 70mph numbers
but main displays are clear and readable on
So Kia have plenty of confidence in their newthe move, despite their quirky cut-off
cee'd SW - their first ever estate car. Notneedles.
only is it a practical and stylish newcomer,
it also comes with an industry-bestThe 1.6 petrol model I tested does need a
seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty - anheavy right foot to pull the best out of it
unrivalled expression of faith in the carsbut it does eventually respond well with
coming  out  of  Zilina  in  Slovakia.plenty of clout, even if it's a bit boomy at
the  top  end.
The cee'd SW (I can never remember how to
write it, although I've learned to say it)A positive five-speed gearbox is solid and
has the same wheelbase as thehas an predictable, easy change, but a clonky
highly-acclaimed five-door hatchback, and anaction.
identical front end. Even the rear doors are
the same. But the body has been stretched byHandling is predictable but unremarkable and
235mm and the SW is 10mm taller and has smartthis isn't the sort of car for a thrash
roof  rails  to  set  it  apart.around the lanes or to take out just for the
hell  of  it.
Kia have done a clever thing by extending the
tailgate into the rear roofline, so thatSteering, in particular, is a little woolly
owners can stand closer to the car whenand  uninvolving.
sorting luggage - the big cutaway area also
gives excellent access for loading andBut the SW's sheer usefulness and solid value
unloading.will win it many friends as estates make a
fresh  attack  on  the  leisure  market.
The load floor is also dead flat and at
bumper level, so that luggage can simply beFactfile:
slid on or off and rear seats fully rumble to
create  a  truly  horizontal  platform.* Kia cee'd SW, prices from
£12,995-£14,995.
Kia blot their copybook slightly by providing
a rather naff pull-down boot strap - not* Made in state-of-the-art factory at Zilina
terribly  high-tech but practical, I suppose.in Slovakia alongside acclaimed five-door
hatchback  cee'd.
The end product is that the SW model can hold
almost 300 litres more than its stablemate* Best-in-industry seven year/100,000-mile
hatchback.bumper-to-bumper  warranty.
And let's not forget the 55 litres of space* Body stretched by 235mm compared with
in trays beneath the boot floor - a handyhatchback and 10mm taller, excluding roof
touch.rails.
Kia also point out that the SW version is* Luggage capacity of 1,664 litres with seats
only £700 more than the equivalentfolded  flat.
hatchback whereas rivals such as Ford Focus
estate, Vauxhall Astra estate and Renault* Three 1.6-litre engines; one petrol and two
Megane Sport Tourer are about £970 moreturbodiesel.
for  the  equivalent.
* Five-speed gearboxes as standard but
Apart from a dingy interior (old fashionedfour-speed automatic available with the
black and grey two-tone seat fabric, blackpetrol  engine.
dash with grey underneath, dull grey roof and
pillars), I liked the cee'd SW and found it a* Estate model aimed predominantly as a fleet
practical,  solid  and  smart  medium estate.car.
Doors shut with a convincing thud and the* Exceptionally stiff bodyshell, aerodynamic
soft-feel  upper  dash and doors are tactile.shape.
Comfortable seats have big, wide cushions and* Independent front and rear suspension
are handily height adjustable, with abenefits ride and handling.
rotating  wheel  for  accurate  rake control.



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