At the start of this year I got to experience the most practical of the Kia Ceed family with its Sportswagon model and I can see its appeal.
In a recent article I touched on the Ceed family from Kia, as I reviewed its sleek and stylish shooting brake model, the Proceed. This family caters for everyone however, as it features a 5-door hatchback and a crossover SUV Style XCeed as well as the estate model talked about here.
This latest Ceed Sportswagon incorporates Kia’s brand-new corporate logo and now, having received a comprehensive update in its third generation, is built in Zilina, Slovakia.
Not only is this model designed, engineered, upgraded, and built in Europe, but it has received extensive testing on European roads, with validation tests on UK roads, ensuring it is the best package available.
As the third best-selling model for Kia in the UK, behind its Sportage and Niro siblings, this is an important aspect of this car’s development assisting the retention of current customers as well as attracting new ones the Korean brand.
A rejuvenated exterior displays vitality, creating a contemporary and dynamic dance with a pair of large side air intakes on the front bumper creating a sportier appearance. Gloss black diffuser around the rear bumper continues this aesthetic.
Practicality is key for this family friendly estate, and with 1,694-litres of storage space available when the rear seats are folded flat, it is almost van-like in its capabilities.
In recent years Kia have upped their game tenfold when it comes to what’s inside the cabin and this Ceed Sportswagon features high-quality materials throughout.
An 8-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system on the entry-level trim increases to 10.25-inch satellite navigation system for all other trim levels. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility is fitted as standard to all models along with a reversing camera system.
Enhanced functionality means that the driver attention warning now includes leading vehicle departure warning, when the car in front moves off. Other standard safety equipment on all models includes high beam assist, lane keep assist and forward collision warning with forward collision-avoidance assist.
Owners can also connect remotely to the car via the Kia connect smartphone app. An all-new ‘user profile transfer’ feature allows users to back up there in-vehicle Kia Connect preferences via the cloud and transfer settings from one vehicle to another.
When receiving a vehicle from a manufacturer for appraisal, it’s most common to have the highest spec trim available, plus options. Sometimes vehicles are purpose built to an incredibly high specification, just for the purpose of media use.
Kia doesn’t fall into either of these categories. It has so much confidence and equipment in its product, that an entry-level trimmed example is what I spent a week with and what you see pictured here.
Let’s face it, motoring is not getting any cheaper, so why send me a trim that will be out of reach for most, when I can drive and write about the actual model that the bulk of owners will most likely purchase.
Despite the fact that the model tested is equipped with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon is now currently only available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The sole engine offering produces 158bhp which will see you from 0-60mph and 8.4 seconds with a top speed of 130mph achievable. A combined fuel economy is claimed to be 49.6mpg, which is very good indeed.
Just two levels of trim are available starting from £23,185 for the entry-level Ceed Sportswagon ‘2’, as pictured. Or priced from £25,595 is a Ceed Sportswagon ‘3’ which adds 17-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass amongst other things.
Kia offer a 7-year / 100,000 mi warranty (3-years / unlimited mileage).
Words and Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
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