Review
Once you get past the rogue apostrophe, this Kia estate car has a lot of appeal for buyers.
It’s spacious for five pass-engers and their luggage; it has the much-publicised seven-year warranty for peace of mind and good resale values; it offers an accomplished drive; and it’s an attractive-looking car, particularly in side profile.
The 1.6-litre diesel engine is reasonably frugal – we’re getting mpg in the mid to high 40s – but with enough zip for safe overtaking and comfortable motorway cruising.
On the downside, the chassis is a touch too firm and can be crashy on pitted roads.
We also have a niggly power problem which occurs when driving along and lifting off the accelerator briefly before pressing down again.
There’s a lag before the power latches on, which makes the car gently pitch.
It feels a bit like a fuel supply issue and, while it doesn’t happen all the time, it does need looking at.
Compared to its estate car rivals – and there’s only a handful of those in this segment – the Cee’d SW is a competitive offer.
It undercuts the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra estates by almost a couple of grand and the Peugeot 307 SW by £1,500, although it is beaten on price by stablemate Hyundai’s i30 estate.
