The second of two Kias in this weight class, our judges much preferred the Cee’d to the Venga.For one thing, it’s a much quicker car. The larger diesel engine in the Cee’d has stronger low- and mid-range pull than the Venga’s engine, shaving 14.7 seconds from the 30-60mph time. It’s quieter and smoother as well as more powerful.
The Cee’d was also much happier in the hill-start tests. Reversing was fuss-free, and on the steeper slope for the forward hill start our only complaint was that the handbrake needed a very firm pull before it held.
Through the lane-change manoeuvre, the Cee’d gave a good account of itself, even at 35mph. However, at 60mph and above the car needed more steering input than either the Astra or Octavia to stay straight and true.
Of more concern is the poor braking, taking 13 metres to stop from 30mph. That’s a full 2.1 metres further than the Astra.
A larger boot would have scored more points with our practicality judge, and it’s a shame there’s no Trailer Stability Programme to help keep car and caravan on course.
Yet you might be prepared to live with these compromises when you know the price. At less than £15,000 before haggling, the Cee’d is very good value, especially when you take running costs into account. With an official fuel economy of 62.8mpg, the Kia isn’t far off the Green Award-winning Skoda Octavia. The five-year warranty is another point in its favour.