Re-imagined hatch bound to sucCeed

All-new version of Kia’s C-segment competitor is yet another step up for the Korean brand, writes Matt Allan

Crossovers seem to be everywhere now but despite their popularity the good old family hatchback is still going strong.

In Europe last year C-segment hatchbacks such as the Kia cee’d accounted for almost a quarter of all vehicle sales. So it’s a big market and to keep up with it, Kia have released an allnew model.

Abandoning the pretentious punctuation, the cee’d has become the Ceed and is new from the ground up.

It brings new engines, more tech and, says Kiaa more sporty, dynamic experience.

It’s an important car but, truth be told, not a massively exciting one. The last models old well because it was a good value, sensible family car and this new model will do exactly the same.

The looks – sharper, lower and wider area positive evolution but follow a standard mainstream hatchback template that won’t scare off buyers.

The drive, too is exactly what most buyers will want. In setting up the new chass is Kia concentrated on making it suit European roads. New independent rear suspension and revised dampers make the Ce ed more direct than the cee’d but its strength is a smooth, reassuring drive rather than hot hatch lev-els of involvement.

At launch, the new Ceed comes with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engine. The 118bhp 1.0-litre petrol appears alongside a brand-new turbocharged 1.4 with 138bhp which replaces the previous car’s 1.6 and offers more power and lower emissions.

The Ceed’s diesel engine has also been replaced with an all-new version designed to exceed the latest emissions standards. The 1.6 “U3” puts out 114bhp backed up with 207lb/ft of torque. Official economy is 74.3mpg but on a two-hour cross-country drive our test car showed an astonishing 82.8mpg. Like the petrol it’s refined and unobtrusive unless really overworked.

All three engines come as standard with an easy-going six-speed manual gearbox. A seven-speed dual-clutch auto is optional with the two new engines. Higher-grade autos can also be specified with drive mode select offering sport or normal settings for steering, gearbox and engine.

For a lot of buyers the basic 2 trim level, which starts at £18,295 will offer everything they’ll need. Advanced safety kit such as lane keepassist,autonomousemergencybraking,highbeamassist and driver attention warning is standard across the range. Base models also gets a seveninch touchscreen with DAB, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, cruise control, air con and alloys.

The usual bigger screen, bigger wheels and more advanced tech appear on higher-grade car and the £26,000 First Edition packs in everything from keyless entry and ventilated seats to leather upholstery, parking assist, smart cruise control and traffic jam assistance.

Whether you go for the leather-filled First Edition or entry-level 2, the new interior is a step above the last car. In both look and feel it has improved but it’s smart and functional rather than fancy.

For the moment the Ceed is available only as a five-door hatchback. An estate will follow soon, with other derivatives due over the next 18 months.

Some cars grab you by the

throat and demand your attention. The Ceedi sn’ tone of them. But not all cars are designed for out-and-out petrolheads, most are designed for people who want a reliable, economical, well-built and well-equipped means of getting from A to B. And the Ceed ticks all those boxes.