Ten Point Test

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

The Kia Cee’d has a new face, cleaner engines and a host of new kit in its cabin. We drove the Ecodynamics model, which hopes to take on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion and Ford Focus Econetic.

1. Looks 8/10

The Kia Cee’d is a handsome car. It’s not too extrovert, or too dowdy, giving it the wide appeal it needs to tempt buyers away from popular rivals including the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. Newly facelifted, it features the Kia ‘family’ grille, with a silver border that closes in on the badge at its centre.

Projector headlamps are now standard, and the front bumper and fog lights have been reworked, as has the bonnet. At the rear, there are new tail lights with an updated LED-look.

2. Looks inside 8/10

As with the exterior, the cabin carefully treads the middle ground between budget motoring and desirability. Everything feels solid and well-made, and the doors shut with a reassuring thud. Attractive cloth seats and silver-painted trim lift the interior ambience while everything is laid out easily to hand. Where the Cee’d falls behind more expensive cars including the Golf and Audi A3, is in details like the instrument dials, and air vents, which are of a more basic design.

3. Practicality 7/10

With generous interior proportions, it’s possible for five to sit in the Cee’d, although it’s better suited to four occupants. The rear seats split 60/40 and fold flat to create a maximum load space of 1,300 litres. Its boot space of 340 litres equals its main rival, the Hyundai i30, but has less room than the Golf (350 litres) and Focus (396 litres).

4. Ride and Handling 7/10

With a chassis tuned for comfort instead of sportiness, the Cee’d is a relaxing and competent car to drive. The gear change and steering require little effort and isolate you from rough surfaces and mid-corner bumps, improving refinement. The downside is that the steering can feel slightly imprecise, making it less appealing as a driver’s car.

5. Performance 7/10

Available with 89bhp 1.4-litre or 124bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines, along with a 1.6-litre diesel engine in 89bhp or 113bhp forms, all Cee’ds offer acceptable performance.

The 89bhp Ecodynamics diesel is the slowest model on paper, taking 13.5 seconds to reach 62mph, but its 173lb/ft of pulling power makes it feel quick enough on the move.

Kia Cee’d gallery:

6. Running Costs 9/10

All 2010 Kia Cee’ds have lower fuel consumption and emissions than the version they replace. Even the least economical variant – the 1.6-litre petrol automatic – manages 42.8mpg, while emitting 158g/km of CO2.

The most fuel efficient model is the 1.6-litre CRDi Ecodynamics, which manages 67.3mpg and emits just 110g/km of CO2.

Vehicle tax sits between £35 and £150 per year at current rates (2010), and insurance groups are only five and six. Servicing is every 12,500 or 20,000 miles depending on engine and cars benefit from Kia’s seven-year 100,000-mile warranty.

7. Reliability 9/10

With the longest warranty (see above) of any carmaker, Kia is clearly confident in the reliability of the Cee’d. There have been no reported common problems with the model since its launch, and the facelift should be just as good.

8. Safety 8/10

Awarded five-stars following its EuroNCAP crash test, the Cee’d has been proven as one of the safest cars in its class. There are six airbags as standard, and the front passenger ‘bag can be switched off if a child seat is present. Isofix child mounting points, active headrests and electronic safety programmes complete the safety kit.

9. Equipment 8/10

Model trim is now classed as 1, 2 and 3, with all Cee’ds benefiting from auxiliary and USB stereo input, remote central locking, low rolling resistance tyres, air conditioning, electric front windows, CD player and trip computer.

Cee’d 2 adds 16-inch alloy wheels, electric and heated door mirrors, leather highlights, and six-speaker stereo. Ecodynamics models are fitted with Kia’s ISG stop and start technology and connectivity for iPod and Bluetooth.

The top trim level upgrades the cabin trim to black gloss and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, ESP, electric rear windows, climate control, illuminated vanity mirrors, metallic interior door handles and sport interior plus exterior trim upgrades.

10. X-Factor 7/10

The main strength of the Kia Cee’d is its value-for-money for the private and fleet buyer. It is reasonable to buy and should prove very cheap to run and service for owners, while providing comfortable and stylish transportation to boot.

Key facts:

Model tested: Kia Cee’d 1.6 CRDi Ecodynamics
On the road price: £14,195
Price range: £11,895 – £16,495
Date tested: March 2010
Road tester: Andy Goodwin