IT appears to be all the rage to produce cars with the stop/start capability as manufacturers continue to seek the automotive world’s Holy Grail of ever lower fuel consumption and the reduction of CO2 emissions levels.
Recently, I spent some time in the company of one of the many contenders boasting this particular eco feature, the Kia cee’d.
Since the spring of 2007, this five-door hatchback has helped to transform the car buying public view of this South Korean car giant and has been the subject of a major revision for 2010 which, in addition to the introduction of stop/start technology, included a fresh new exterior.
In order to compete with the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen’s Golf good looks are essential and the Pacific Rim car maker has succeeded here.
The bonnet is new with sharper creases standing out, a new grille flanked by black bezel projector headlights while an LED effect makes an eye pleasing feature of the rear lamp clusters.
A spacious and stylish interior benefits from the tones and good quality textures of the trim. There is a solid and well made feel throughout and, while the doors close with a reassuring thump the overall ambience is nicely agreeable.
The cee’d qualifies well as a family car courtesy of a generously proportioned interior nicely set out to comfortably cope with driver and three adult passengers, even adding a fourth at a pinch.
The rear seats split 60/40 and fold flat to create a maximum flat load space of 1,300 litres while the well shaped boot takes 340 litres of family luggage which is, perhaps, a little down on the competition.
Helping to endorse Kia’s value for money reputation, the cee’d comes with a trio of trim levels, 1, 2 and 3, all generously kitted out.
Even the entry level model has remote central locking, air con, electric front windows, six airbags and a six-speaker stereo with CD player while low rolling resistance tyres add further to fuel economy.
There is a neatly laid out and easily navigable dashboard while the centre console has been redesigned with a silver finish applied to the cee’d 1 and 2 plus there is a lustrous piano black finish on the sporty cee’d 3.
Power sources on offer include two petrol engines and the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel which is looked at here.
Paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, this 1,582cc oil burner proved surprisingly frisky for its 89bhp while its 173lb/ft of mid-range urge helped to keep things nicely on the boil over both the short and the long haul.
Kia specifically designed the Stop and Go (ISG) system for the cee’d EcoDynamics model and it works a treat.
Depending upon individual driving style there is an impressive 67.3mpg to be had over the urban cycle while CO2 emissions of 110g/km add further to its green credentials.
Considered to be one of the best stop/start systems around, the Kia ISG turns off the engine when the car’s speed drops below 3mph, the clutch is released and the car placed in neutral.
The ISG swiftly restarts the engine as soon as the clutch pedal is partially depressed, making the whole operation ideal.
With an all independent suspension system well tuned for comfort this latest cee’d proved a fine performer delivering a competent, refined and very relaxing performance in all parts.
Overall, the latest Kia cee’d has been well designed to provide the agreeable family service you would expect from a car maker with such belief in its product that the car benefits from Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty while last but by no means least, there is the big plus of £35 a year road tax.
FAST FACTS
Kia cee’d 2 1.6 CRDi EcoDynamics
Price: £14,195
Mechanical: 89bhp, 1,582cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
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