Kia Proceeds to expand its line-up

Introduction

Kia has been getting ever closer to its European and Japanese rivals for some time in the way its cars look, go and are made. With the cee'd range, Kia is now on an even footing with the best in the small hatch sector. The pro_cee'd is the sporty arm of this range, with its good looking three-door style it's a match for any on the appearance front, but can it compete in other areas?

What are its rivals?

The small hatch class is dominated by the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. Between them, they account for the bulk of sales and it's unlikely the Kia will poach many of their customers, as so many are funded with company money. More likely a target market are the sort of buyers considering a Citroen C4, Peugeot 308 or SEAT Leon that trade as much on looks as ability. There's also competition on the value for money front from the Hyundai i30, Fiat Bravo and Dodge Caliber.

How does it drive?

In the more powerful of its two guises, the 113bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel is the pick of the engines. It's frugal enough to return nearly 60mpg in normal mixed driving yet has plenty of low- and mid-rev punch to feel sufficiently zesty to sit comfortably with the sporty feel Kia has imbued it with. This is also the quietest engine of the range and keeps its opinions to itself when cruising along the motorway, with wind and road noise also well contained. It's a shame the five-speed manual gearbox has a slightly clunky change as it undermines what is otherwise an excellent transmission.

Kia has firmed up the suspension of the pro_cee'd compared to its five-door sister model. It gives the car a shade more grip and balance through corners, keeping lean to a minimum and feeling fun and keen to drive. The downside is that the low-speed ride is hard around town, though it becomes more supple at higher speeds. What doesn't improve at any speed is the vague sensation to the steering, particularly just as it moves off centre. This can be disconcerting on the motorway, where the steering wheel feels completely unconnected to the front wheels.

What's impressive?

The pro_cee'd is a brilliant buying package for those paying with their own cash, as most customers will, and also makes sense for cost-conscious company drivers. An agreeably affordable list price is backed up by low running costs thanks to the fine economy and 126g/km carbon dioxide emissions that keep road tax bills down. There's also a good level of standard equipment that includes climate and cruise controls, alloy wheels, CD stereo, electric windows and half leather seat upholstery. It's a shame Kia doesn't include standard ESP traction control, but there are six airbags as part of the package. Throw in Kia's superb seven-year warranty cover and the pro_cee'd is a very cost-effective choice.

What's not?

While the pro_cee'd provides excellent space for its passengers and a decent boot, the styling of its three-door shape severely limits the driver's vision through the rear view mirror and over the shoulder. This latter element is especially noticeable when trying to park or moving back in from the outside lane of a motorway. It's not dangerous, but the driver does need to do a double take to be certain there are no other cars lurking in this blind spot.

Should I buy one?

There's no doubt the pro_cee'd is a great buy. It's packed with equipment, offers plenty of space in a cabin that's well put together, and has excellent economy and low running costs. It's also nifty to drive thanks to the 113bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel, though the ride at low speeds is a touch too firm and the steering needs a bit of attention from Kia's engineers. Overall, the pro_cee'd is a sound bet, looks great and comes with a class leading warranty that goes some way to cancelling out used values, which won't be quite as strong as its mainstream opposition.

Alisdair Suttie