Kia Ceed SW (2007 - 2012) practicality

The Cee'd was Kia's first car to get a five-star Euro NCAP rating so the SW should be equally as safe. It has dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, Isofix child seat anchor points and active head restrains which help support the driver and front passenger’s necks to prevent whiplash injuries. The only let-down is that electronic stability control - which helps the driver to keep control of the car in a skid - was originally only optional on the top model.

However, following the Cee'd's facelifted in 2009, ESC is now standard on the 3 and optional on all other trim levels.

The Cee'd SW is significantly roomier than the hatchback model, offering 534 litres of boot space (with the seats in place) compared to 340 litres. That's more than most alternatives, in fact it's not far short of the latest Ford Mondeo Estate - one of the biggest estates around. The boot opening itself offers great access. The tailgate hinges are located on the top (as opposed to the edge) of the roof, which means the tailgate is completely out of the way when opened.

Underneath the boot floor there are extra storage compartments (useful for keeping a torch or hiding valuables) and the seats fold almost flat in a matter of seconds for 1,664 litres of boot space. That’s more than enough for the needs of a small family.