The Kia Ceed - Easy To Sell Hard To Spell

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