Kia Ceed GT Line 1.6 CRDi ISG auto DCT (High Power)

I had to look up what it was on the Kia website and whilst I was there I noticed the standard spec includes a Rear Bumber with Dual Exhaust. I'm not sure what a bumber is but I'm glad it has it.

I picked up the Ceed yesterday as my car is in to have the propshaft replaced. I've never driven a Kia and it's obviously a very different beast to my car but I did borrow a Troc last year so I was interest to see how it stacked up against a VW.

First things first this is a low car and a small one. You feel like you're sat on the floor, I don't remember even my Compact being this low (it probably was) but it has come as a surprise driving something so close to the ground. The low slung body and swept back windscreen make the car feel very claustrophobic when you climb aboard but once there it's comfortable. The driving position is spot on with a feet out front type position - you feel sat in not sat on it. The quality and design of the dashboard were the next revelation - they knock the VW out the park. This particular GT line model is loaded with kit including a heated steering wheel and it feels far better put together and of way better materials than the VW.

On the move the surprises continue, it drives very well. The engine is a touch frantic and there's some tyre roar but it sounds ok for what it is and turns stops and goes with enthusiasm. I'm actually surprised how good it feels to throw around. One major problem, and I doubt it's exclusive to the Ceed, is that it has lane keep assist and I've been driving it in icy conditions. If you stray over a white line on a corner the feedback through the wheel feels more like the front end has lost grip when it hasn't. This is quite disconcerting so I turned the lane assist off.

The auto box works fine, the stop start combined with the auto is a touch laggy at junctions but otherwise a great car.

I'd been a bit sniffy about Kias but having experienced their product and that of VW it's the latter who is playing catch up especially in terms of perceived quality which is quite remarkable. 

Would I buy one? No. It's not my kind of car but driving it confirms the crossover/SUV/softroader is hear to stay. Driving on familiar roads suddenly became a very different experience. Site-lines massively reduced as I could no longer see over hedgerows, regular corners suddenly became blind bends and then there's getting in and out. That swept back A pillar was so raked that I hit my shoulder just getting out the car, climbing out is far less comfortable than a higher riding car. The traditional low slung bodystyle has surely had its day?

That said, if I was in the market for a VW I'd certainly check out the Kia alternative. It's no wonder there are so many on the road.