New three-door Kia Pro-cee'd review

It is not only silly names but infuriating punctuation for the Kia Cee’ds - all of which are designed and built in Europe, Slovakia to be precise - although Kia is a South Korean company and part of the giant Hyundai Motor Corporation.

The Cee’d range now comprises the five-door family hatchbacks, the SW estates and now the new three-door Pro_Cee’d models.

Apart from the name the Cee’d range has been highly rated and praised by the motoring media for its practical design, very capable European driving capabilities, low running costs, seemingly good build qualities, high levels of specification, value for money pricing and not forgetting the seven-year 100,000-mile warranty.

Pricing

Their argument is that three-door models are often seen as poor relations in a model range so they have made the price of three and five door versions the same. Kia also says latest Pro_Cee’d versions feature additional equipment over the equivalent five-door Cee’d models.

My view is that volume mass-market three-door C-segment hatchbacks always cost less than their five-door counterparts because they are less practical. I think Kia’s ‘one price fits all’ policy for the Pro_Cee’d and Cee’d makes the three-door newcomer appear relatively expensive.

Any right-minded family customer or a couple going into a Kia showroom and seeing the similarly sized five and three door models at the same price, will go for the more user friendly five-door version. If for no other reason that it is likely to be worth more in the end when it comes round to trade-in time.

I admit some younger couples or singles will be attracted to the sporty looking three-door version but with rear doors for rear seat passengers and ease of getting shopping in and out of a car, five-door models make more sense.

In the C-segment five-door models account for over 70 per cent of sale,s so another reason why it is illogical to sell a three-door car at the same price as a five-door one. It makes the new Pro_Cee’d look expensive.

However Kia will argue they know best because for the first four months of this year their UK new car sales are rocketing forward and are nearly 30 per cent up on the same period last year.

The Cee’d family is driving those registrations because they offer such good value for money but not at the expense of quality or driving refinement, both of which are generally first rate.

Interior

The Pro_Cee’d like its other Cee’d family members has a relatively long 2,650mm wheelbase giving excellent front and rear legroom. The new three-door model has a 30mm reduction in overall height giving the hatchback a long coupe-like side profile.

The styling is quite sporty with its rising waistline giving it a wedge shape, but this limits visibility at the rear sides and rear quarters. The lower height also reduces headroom. The bodyshell has gained curvy styling lines and a wide stance which accentuates the sporty theme of the Pro_Cee’d.

Specifications

The Pro_Cee’d line up features seven models based on five engine options and three trim levels. There is the choice of 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines, two 1.6-litre turbodiesel units and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel powerplant. Automatic transmission is available for the 1.6-litre 124bhp petrol engine.

There are three trim and equipment levels, 2, 3 and Sport. Even the standard level 2 is exceptionally high for the price and includes air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels RDS radio-CD player that is compatible with MP3 players or iPods, height and reach adjustable steering, front seat active heads restraints, front electric windows, electrically operated door mirrors, remote central locking, six airbags, tinted glass and a trip computer.

Split-folding rear seats are standard as well although the seat backs do not fold down completely flat.

Level 3 adds 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, rear side electric windows, cloth and leather trim and interior alloy finishings. Sport level adds full leather trim, privacy glass and electronic stability control plus a few other bits and bobs.

In all honesty level 2 specification is the one to go for most people but I would have liked to see the electronic stability programme to be standard on all models. It will soon have to be under EU law so it might as well be introduced by all manufacturers sooner rather than later.

Engines and performance

Out of the engine options the most sensible purchase is the 1.6-litre CRDi 113bhp turbodiesel unit. I know it costs a £1,000 more than the 1.6-litre petrol engine but it is worth it for better and more flexible driving performance and much better fuel economy.

My test car with this unit returned 48mpg, with CO2 emissions of a respectable 126g/km so the annual road tax bill is currently £120 but this reduces from April next year to £90.

My Pro_Cee’d test car was the 1.6-litre CRDi 3 costing £14,395. This 113bhp turbodiesel unit is impressively quiet and refined and it is a strong and flexible performer with 255Nm of torque from 1,900rpm and it makes light work of all driving conditions whether on a motorway or in heavy town traffic.

Unfortunately it is mated with a clumsy five-speed manual transmission. The clutch and power take-up actions are fine, it is the gearchange that isn’t as slick as most in its class.

The handling and grip is also good but the ride comfort is very firm and the steering, although precise, gives very little feedback to the driver. The stiff suspension is not helped by the larger 17-inch wheels which come as part of the level 3 specification.

Inside the car all the controls are logical and easy to use. The space is fine for passengers and luggage. The car seems well built and of course the seven-year warranty is a real peace-of-mind factor. But for the same price why settle for three doors when you can have five with the Cee’d?

MILESTONES

Kia Pro_Cee’d 1.6-litre CRDi 3

Price: £14,395

Engine: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel, 113bhp, 255Nm of torque

Performance: 117mph, 0-62mph 11.4 seconds, 58.9mpg (48mpg actual) CO2 126g/km, VED Band C £120

Benefit in Kind tax: £15%

Luggage space: 340 litres

Insurance group: 6E

For: Stylish sporty looks, seven-year warranty, well equipped, roomy, strong engine, competent handling

Against: Looks expensive against the five-door Cee’d so get a discount, firm ride, notchy gearchange, restricted rear quarter visibility

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