Kia has launched the third generation Ceed.
To my mind, the best thing they’ve done is improve the silliest name in the car industry. Out goes the lowercase “C” and the apostrophe – “c’eed” – so it’s now just called the “Ceed.”
First introduced in 2007, the Ceed has gone on to become one of Europe’s best selling cars. Its combination of quality, value, a decent drive and a seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty proved irresistible to many buyers.
The all-new third generation model will go on sale at the start of August priced from £18,295.
As before, there are hatchback and “Sportswagon” estate models. Further down the line, a “shooting brake” model based on a Kia concept car will join the line up. This will be an aggressively styled crossover model that borrows SUV styling.
Given the craze for them there’s also likely to be a full SUV model that will sit between the Stonic and Sportage in Kia’s line up.
Two new engines have been introduced: a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol and a new 1.6-litre diesel with a choice of 113bhp or 134bhp.
There’s also a 1.0-litre turbo petrol that produces 118bhp. Emissions have been lowered and fuel efficiency improved across the range of new engines.
Engines will also get mild hybrid technology from 2019 to cut emissions further.
Safety has been beefed up too, with automatic emergency braking and a driver fatigue warning system standard across the range. Another first is the introduction of level two autonomous driving technology.
The Ceed is available with Lane Following Assist, a radar based system that tracks the vehicle in front and automatically controls acceleration, braking and steering to maintain a safe distance from it.
Additional technologies include Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning, Smart Parking Assist, and pedestrian recognition.
The current Ceed is a perfectly reasonable car to drive but lacks the refinement of a Volkswagen Golf or the dynamics of the Ford Focus.
Kia says the latest car will be more refined and more fun to drive. The company says it has worked hard to improve the Ceed’s steering and handling.
From launch, four trim levels will be available – 2, Blue Edition, 3, and First Edition. Kia used to have simple “1, 2, 3” nomenclature for trim levels but appears to have decided to make it more confusing.
All versions have a touchscreen with Apple and Android compatibility.
At 395 litres, the boot is one of the largest in its class, pipped only by the truly capacious Skoda Octavia.
jmckeown@thecourier.co.uk