Driver's choice: Kia cee'd 4 Tech 1.6 GDI 6-speed DCT

The new Kia cee’d 1.6-litre GDI DCT is pitched against the Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra in the fiercely competitive medium hatchback market.

Most will be happy with a manual but if you want a cee’d that give you some driving fun then try the new six-speed dual-clutch automatic with a 1.6-litre petrol engine. It can be ordered with the 3 and 4 trim models, as well as the 4 Tech version that we tested.

The dual-clutch gearbox is a Kia first and while it lacks the responsiveness and direct-drive feeling of Audi’s S Tronic equivalent it's still quite impressive. It offers smooth, unobtrusive gearshifts that you'd be happy with if you were driving a conventional automatic.

If you want you can change gears yourself using the steering wheel-mounted paddles. You might find that you'll be doing that quite regularly when overtaking, because the 1.6-litre engine does feel a little underpowered and needs working hard to deliver prompt acceleration.

The GDI engine has an output of 133bhp and delivers 164Nm of pulling power, allowing for a top speed of 121mph and a 0-60mph time of 10.4 seconds. Not earth-shattering but it is faster, in both respects, than the similarly-specified Ford Focus with the 1.6-litre 125bhp petrol engine and PowerShift transmission. 

While on paper the cee’d may perform well, in reality its competitors still have an edge. The Kia’s engine is smooth and refined when cruising but accelerate hard and it can feel laboured and harsh, unlike the Volkswagen TSI or Ford EcoBoost engines.

This version of the cee'd isn't particularly cheap when it comes to company car tax, because its 140g/km CO2 emissions rating puts it in the 19% Benefit-in-Kind band for the 2012/2013 tax year. That means a diesel cee'd will always be a less costly option.

With a P11d value of £23,620 for the cee'd DCT in 4 Tech specification, those in the 20% tax band will pay £74.79 a month, while 40% tax payers will shell out £149.59.

Fuel consumption is a claimed average of 46.3mpg, meaning a range of approximately 540 miles on a full tank. We averaged a reasonable 37.2mpg on our test route, which if maintained would allow you to cover around 433 miles.

It's a good car to drive too, feeling securely planted on the road. The steering is well-weighted, ride quality is good and body roll is minimal in the corners. Even fast bends are dispatched with minimal fuss.

Drivers can tailor the steering with three options – Comfort, Normal and Sport – at the press of a button. Each one has a progressively heavier steering wheel feel than the last, allowing for more precise control. Even so, the cee’d’s not quite as rewarding to drive as a VW Golf.

Inside the Kia is comfortable and quiet. The materials used generally have a soft feel and look of a high quality but there are still some easily marked plastics that lower the overall tone of an otherwise upmarket-looking cabin. The seats, while supportive, could do with more snugly-fitting side bolsters to hold you in place.

Equipment levels are impressive across the five trims. Even the entry level 1 model comes with niceties like air-con, a USB connection, electric heated door mirrors, a cooled glove box and Bluetooth connectivity.

On the range-topping 4 Tech we tested accessory upgrades include climate control, leather seats, a touchscreen sat-nav system, heated front seats, a clear and modern colour LCD dashboard and an electric panoramic sunroof.

There are also features designed to enhance safety such as the lane departure warning, front parking sensors and an automated parking function that steers the car into kerbside parking spots.  

Overall, the Kia cee’d is a good choice for those looking for a sharply styled, dependable and well-equipped car. It may cost more per month than some of its rivals but many don’t offer the same level of equipment.

Those looking for a more engaging automatic to drive would be better off considering a DSG-equipped VW, or an Audi with S tronic, however.

To read the full Parkers Kia cee’d review click here.

 

Also consider:

Ford Focus

The Focus is a great all-rounder. There’s lots of room inside, it drives well and it’s refined. Additionally, it’s available with a range of modern technology.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is the default choice for many a company car driver. It’s comfortable, good to drive, well-equipped and efficient.

Honda Civic

Honda’s new Civic isn’t as quite as radical as the previous version but it’s still a sensible option. An economical diesel engine helps keep costs down.