Car Enthusiast - click here to access the home page


 



First drive: Kia cee'd 1.0 GT Line. Image by Julian Mackie.

First drive: Kia cee'd 1.0 GT Line
Kia updates its cee'd line-up, with new engines and equipment.

   



<< earlier review     later review >>

Reviews homepage -> Kia reviews

Kia cee'd 1.0 GT Line

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

Kia adds value and style to its popular cee'd family hatchback, making it a more compelling purchase than before. The new turbocharged 1.0-litre engine and a sporty GT Line specification stand out.

Test Car Specifications

Model tested: cee'd 1.0 ecoTurbo GT Line
Price: to be confirmed
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
Combined economy: 57.6mpg
Top speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 11.1 seconds
Power: 120hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 170Nm at 4,000rpm

What's this?

Kia's 'new' cee'd, which even Kia's people quietly admit is a mid-life revision - and a subtle one at that. There are some visual changes, mostly focused around the bumpers and headlights, but you'll have to be determined to really spot them. That's the case inside too, which gains a few minor updates, but it's all very familiar otherwise. That's not really a complaint, as the cee'd was already a neatly styled and inoffensive offering, big on value, good on quality and all about customer care and that warranty - seven years don't you know?

The big news with this facelift is Kia's introduction of a GT Line specification (which apes the look of its GT hot hatch inside and out), as well as the addition of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which is offered in 100- and 120hp guises. There's a new seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox for the most powerful diesel choice too, while all models benefit from improvements in economy and emissions.

There's some more connectivity for the line-up along with improved driver aids, both safety features like blind spot information warning and convenience features like automatic parking, which brings the cee'd up to speed with its key rivals, though it doesn't go the whole hog and offer kit like autonomous city braking - that will come with the next generation car in about three years.

How does it drive?

The cee'd's strength has always been its rounded competence, so that it's not notable to drive in any particular area really isn't a failing, instead something to be championed, despite the promise of the sporting GT Line looks. A no-nonsense, easy drive then, though that new 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine does add some fun to the proceedings, thanks to its rev-happy, willing nature and amusingly raspy note when you wring it out. That Kia has managed to keep the din and vibrations muted at all but the highest of revs - where it's welcome - is commendable, particularly as it hasn't got a balancer shaft to counteract the natural imbalance of the three-cylinder layout. The 120hp version is quick enough with its 11.1-second 0-62mph time, but as the 100hp model only trails that by a few tenths it's probably the one to have - particularly as it shares the same torque output of 170Nm and brings a slight improvement in economy. And of course it will be cheaper to buy.

The engine is the highlight in the competent, unremarkable to drive package, though Kia claims that its cars will be more engaging in the future, thanks in no small part to the recent pinching of BMW's senior M Performance Chief Engineer. He was too late to have any impact on this cee'd but his input should be obvious in the future. As it is the cee'd steers decently and rides commendably - even if the GT Line borrows its rear spring rates from the GT hot hatch.

Verdict

The scant visual changes don't perhaps do some of the engineering revisions underneath justice, as the cee'd's new three-cylinder petrol turbo engine is an impressive addition to the range. So too are the sharper looks of the GT Line trim, though prices for it will start to make the cee'd look a bit less attractive against its competition, even when taking into account its generous specification. Always a sensible purchase, Kia's done enough to keep it that way, and while the cee'd is not an exciting choice, it's also very difficult to argue against.

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 Exterior Design

3 3 3 3 3 Interior Ambience

3 3 3 3 3 Passenger Space

4 4 4 4 4 Luggage Space

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 Safety

3 3 3 3 3 Comfort

3 3 3 3 3 Driving Dynamics

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 Powertrain


Kyle Fortune - 7 Sep 2015



  www.kia.co.uk    - Kia road tests
- Kia news
- Ceed images

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Kia.



2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 

2015 Kia cee'd. Image by Julian Mackie.
 






 

Internal links:   | Home | Privacy | Contact us | Archives | Old motor show reports | Follow Car Enthusiast on Twitter | Copyright 1999-2024 ©