Early August arrival for new Ceed with prices starting from €22,695

KIA’s new Ceed gets here in early August and prices start from €22,695.

The small family hatch (a Ford Focus, VW Golf rival) is more sharply designed and has a new 1.4 direct injection petrol and 1.6-litre diesel. By the way it’s now called ‘Ceed’ – no longer ‘cee’d’.

An estate (SW) with a huge boot follows later and there will be a Shooting Brake based on the estate for 191-reg.

The third-generation 5dr hatch is 20mm wider (1,800mm) and 23mm lower (1,447mm), though its wheelbase remains at 2,650mm.

The Sportswagon’s dimensions are nearly identical, but it has a longer cargo area and rear overhang is extended by 115mm (now 1,070mm).

The company claims there is more room in the hatchback’s cabin, especially for rear-seat passengers.

The 395-litre boot is up just 15 litres but is easier to load thanks to a lower lip. A focus point in the cabin is how the dash is split into two areas: top for the floating touchscreen infotainment system, and bottom for audio, heating and ventilation controls.

The 1-litre turbo petrol pumps 120PS while the new 1.4-litre petrol replaces the old 1.6-litre. The new 1.6-litre diesel develops 115PS/136PS. Both petrol engines have particulate filters to cut emissions. All engines have a 6spd manual transmission, but you can opt to have a 7spd auto with the 1.4-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel.

On top of that, from next year there will be a 48-volt mild-hybrid version.

There are four trims (K2 to K5). Entry-level K2 and K3 get the 1-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel.

There will, initially, just be the 1-litre petrol with K4 trim, while range-topping K5 gets the new 1.4-litre petrol.

Standard spec includes forward collision, lane keep, high-beam assist, driver attention warning and the vehicle stability management system.

K2 trim also has 16ins alloys, 7ins display, reversing camera, Bluetooth/voice recognition, cloth seats.

K3 adds LED front and rear lights, wireless charger, half-leather seats, electric parking brake, parking sensors.

K4 adds 17ins alloys, cloth/artificial leather seats, 8ins display, parking distance warning, rain sensor, auto temperature control, auto window de-fogger.

K5 has heated leather seats, ventilated front seats, smart key, push button start, blindspot collision and parking distance warning.

Prices: K2 1.0 petrol €22,695; 1.6 diesel €24,995. K3 petrol €24,295; diesel €26,595. K4 1.0 petrol €25,695. K5 1.4 petrol €28,595.