Kia Ceed EcoDynamics (2009) CAR review

Kia’s facelifted the Ceed in fairly subtle style. Bar the new nose (which makes it look like a last-gen Astra), only details such as the dashboard’s new centre console are fresh. But this green-tinged EcoDynamics version takes Kia into new territory, even if the blandly attractive styling, good-value pricing and seven-year warranty mean the Kia proposition is otherwise unchanged.

How green is the new eco Kia Ceed then?

Well, 110g/km and 67.3mpg aren’t mean claims, achieved via a new six-speed gearbox, low rolling resistance tyres and a start/stop system for the 89bhp turbodiesel. Not sure ours was sticking to those figures, though. In 200 miles of test-driving, I didn’t get the start/stop thing to activate even once.

The weather’s a bit chilly right now, and Kia’s people tell us that the system deactivates at temperatures below 5deg C, which may explain it. So, it should get greener with warmer weather, when simply being in neutral with the clutch engaged is enough to cut the power. Hit the pedal and by the time you’ve selected first gear the engine will be running again.

Any good to drive?

I quite like the Ceed. Sure, everyone says it’s good with the caveat ‘for a Korean’ and, fair enough, that’s true. But Kia benchmarked the Ford Focus Mk1 for driving feel, and there’s a familiar firmness about the Ceed that’s initially engaging. You’ll put up with quite a stiff and unyielding ride as a result, but it’s well damped, quelling body movement over a particularly vicious hump near the CAR office more adroitly than a lot of much more expensive machinery.

Problem is, the steering is woollier than it first seems: while the gearing is quick, the system isn’t very sharp. And that firm ride doesn’t translate into Focus-style fizziness through bends. It’s safe, it’s secure, it’s consistent but it doesn’t make you grin inanely.

How about that diesel engine?

You get a light dose of low-end oomph, and the Kia is light enough that when torque trails off above 2500rpm, it doesn’t really struggle. The engine itself is a touch vibratory, sending a few shivers about the cabin, but it doesn’t sound rough and remains quiet enough most of the time. Unexciting but adequate.

High gearing makes the Ceed a refined enough cruiser, and the shift feels faintly reminiscent of the last Vauxhall Astra’s, being slightly obstructive and a bit springy, but otherwise okay. The square gearknob’s very Astra too.

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