Kia Ceed 2 1.6 5dr Car Review - February 2012

One of the reasons that many people will enjoy driving the Cee'd is that it is able to corner well, and the handling is light enough to be easy to drive in urban areas. The suspension is quite soft and forgiving on all but the roughest of roads, and the sterile handling doesn't give as much feedback as most drivers would like, meaning that it isn't as fun to drive as some of the competition. The driving position is fine, but taller drivers particularly will find that they are seated a little high.

The engine is not a class leader by a long shot, and the 1.6 litre engine is able to get the Cee'd from 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds. The top speed of 119mph is also fine, but considering how loud the engine is at 70mph, driving quickly is likely to become a very noisy experience for those in the car. One plus point is that the stereo controls are mounted on the steering wheel, making controlling the entertainment much easier for the driver.

Kia have gone for a look that has been inspired by Ford vehicles for the Cee'd, and the grille and air vent below are nicely proportioned. The lines running down the car are perfectly acceptable, and the back end is tidy and efficient, although the boot door is quite small which could make accessing the boot an issue. The trim on the inside is a little uninspiring, and it is hard not to think that the Cee'd is trying to fit in with the other cars in the class.

The equipment included with the car is quite reasonable, and air conditioning and cruise control will certainly help to make the car more comfortable on a long journey. Alloy wheels are included with this version, but no options for satellite navigation, hands free kits or Bluetooth connectivity is disappointing.

The space to be found in the front seats and the back seats is very good on the whole, and should be able to take up to five people without feeling too squashed. The boot space is also reasonable, with the back seats folding flat for extra carrying space, but the small boot door could be a problem for those who are trying to get large items into the vehicle.

The Kia Cee'd is also a very safe car, having been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, and comes fitted with six airbags and the usual driving aids that help to keep the car under control and on the road. Kia has been developing a reputation for building reliable cars, and this is supported by the excellent seven year warranty available on the Cee'd.

There is no doubt that the Kia Cee'd is a family hatchback on a budget, and the list price of £14,795 is well below the prices of other hatchbacks such as the VW Golf. The seven year warranty is an excellent offer for those who are buying the car for the long term, and it also comes with one year's breakdown recovery should anything happen.

The fuel consumption figures for the car are quite good, and the 1.6 litre engine can deliver an average 46.3mpg. The insurance group is quite low meaning that aspect shouldn't be too expensive, and the reasonable depreciation will be quite good when the time comes to finally sell the vehicle.