The Kia Cee’d has been given a new look inside and out, and had an engineering overhaul to bring it right up-to-date.

Two years ago the original Kia Cee’d took on the hatchback world, and earned itself a fine reputation. It was a smart and well-finished car with good levels of equipment at a sensible price.

It had a trick up its sleeve too – a standard seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty offering peace of mind to potential buyers.

We’ve been driving the new Cee’d to see if it’s still a safe-as-houses buy.

To spot the new Kia Cee’d, just look out for the chrome grille surround, which gives the Cee’d more of a family face, by aping the bold nose design of the chiselled Kia Soul.

It’s flanked by standard projection headlamps, which are accompanied by a new bonnet design and honeycomb grille; giving the Cee’d a more expensive look and feel.

Inside, the steering wheel is now better to hold and look at thanks to its more sculpted shape and twin-bottom spokes.

The dashboard layout has been redesigned to make operation of the stereo and air conditioning more straightforward, and the texture and quality of materials has improved.

Revised engines

Engines range from a 1.4-litre petrol with 89bhp to a 124bhp 1.6-litre petrol and 89bhp 1.6-litre diesel or ‘high power’ 113bhp version of the same engine.

The 2-litre diesel hasn’t been carried over, but Kia is working on a cleaner version to be introduced at a later date.

New for the revised Cee’d is an EcoDyamics version of the 89bhp diesel, with Kia’s take on stop and start technology called ISG (intelligent stop and go).

By cutting the engine when the car is stationary and out of gear, fuel is saved and emissions on the combined cycle drop to 110g/km – making the EcoDynamics Cee’d a very cheap car to run and tax.

We drove a route from Manchester to Liverpool, and on arrival in the city streets the stop and start system began to show its benefits.

Each time the traffic lights turned green, the engine restarted faultlessly while selecting first gear to pull away.

The 89bhp diesel does feel noticeably more sluggish than the faster 113bhp ‘high power’ version, but the former rewards drivers with 67.3mpg while the quicker car manages 62.8mpg.

Both diesel engines are quiet on the move, and there is little wind noise at high speed, making the Cee’d a relaxing motorway cruiser.

The Kia is designed and built in Europe, and the suspension has been tuned in the UK for the kind of roads we use everyday. It shows – the Cee’d handles with fluidity and soaks up bumps well.

It’s not as keen to corner as a Ford Focus or Mk.6 Golf, but overall it’s not far behind the class leaders and feels more relaxing to drive.

View our Kia Ceed slide show

As easy as 1,2 and 3

The S, GS and LS trim levels are gone, replaced with the simpler 1, 2 and 3 nomenclature, ascending by around £1,300 in price with each upwards step.

Cee’d 1 has body-colour trim, front fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels, while 2 gets electric and heated door mirrors, auto electric front windows, six-speaker stereo, front centre armrest and rear cup holders.

Cee’d 3 has 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with low rolling resistance tyres, ESP, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, alloy pedals, illuminated vanity mirrors, black gloss detailing and metallic interior trim highlights.

Those in search of some more space can opt for the SW (sport wagon) estate model, which costs from £800 more than the equivalent five-door.

Luggage capacity is 534 litres, with 55-litres of storage under the boot floor. Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats and the space grows to 1,664 litres.

It’s hard to argue with the Kia Cee’d as a top ownership proposition, thanks in no small part to the amazing 7-year warranty. The peace of mind it gives you is unmatched in Europe.

Come to sell the car in a few years and its next owners even have the option to top the warranty back up to seven years again.

The Cee’d is a very competent and practical car, with a better interior than before, a sharper exterior and more economical engines.

Key facts:

Model tested: Kia Cee’d SW 2 1.6 CRDi 113, Kia Cee’d 2 1.6 CRDi 89 EcoDynamics, Kia Cee’d 2 1.6 124
On the road price: £14,995, £14,195, £13,195
Date tested: October 2009
Road tester: Andy Goodwin