Setting the benchmark for versatility

This was the South Korean company’s first ever estate car when it was launched two years ago.

Thanks to its flat luggage bay, easy-folding seats and ingenious tailgate mounting that makes loading and unloading so much easier than in rival estates, it has quickly set a benchmark for practicality and versatility.

KIA is not a company to rest on its laurels and a fresh up of the new exterior has brought this vehicle into line with the family face first seen on Soul.

The interior has been also upgraded with plush new trim materials that create the look and feel of a far more expensive car, and there is more standard equipment.

A new badging structure makes it easier for buyers to understand the model line-up and the walk-up from one grade to another.

The revised cee’d SW introduces EcoDynamics. This is the company’s new green umbrella for a range of fuel-saving, emissions-reducing technologies and it will be expanded to include alternative-fuel vehicles, hybrids, electric cars and even fuel-cell electric vehicles.

But for now EcoDynamics is focusing on reducing the environmental impact of cars powered by traditional internal combustion engines.

KIA has also developed an Intelligent Stop and Go system for the revised cee'd SW. This turns off the engine when the car is stationary in traffic and the driver puts the gearlever into neutral and takes his or her foot off the clutch pedal. The engine restarts immediately as soon as the clutch pedal is partially pushed.

In keeping with UK vehicle excise duty bands, ISG will initially be available only with the standard (89bhp) 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine.

With the ISG system, CO2 emissions of the cee'd SW 1.6 CRDi are just 119g/km, falling below the level of 120g/km for benefit-in-kind taxation.

Some of the features found on the cee'd 2 SW EcoDynamics are also fitted to other models in the range, and they help to reduce fuel consumption by an average of five per cent.

For example, all models with 16-inch wheels have Michelin Energy Saver low rolling resistance tyres like those on the cee'd EcoDynamics, bringing worthwhile gains in fuel economy and CO2.

A six-speed gearbox is standard on all manual diesel variants, replacing the old five-speed transmission, as a further aid to improving economy and emissions.

The new two-tier line-up will be badged cee'd SW 2 and cee'd SW 3, with the super-efficient 2 EcoDynamics model equating to cee'd SW 2 but for one or two equipment differences. Both grades continue to deliver the outstanding value for money for which Kia is renowned.

Kia has set itself the goal of being in the world's top three manufacturers for actual quality within three years, and among the top five for perceived quality within five years. Having visited KIA in South Korea, I know they mean business and vehicles such as the cee’d SW are proof of this.

Five can travel in comfort and when it comes to load lugging ability, this KIA model is equally happy to oblige. The ingenious tailgate has top hinges located 225mm into the roofline so that its upswing and out swing are reduced by 72mm. It means that owners can stand closer to the car when loading and the tailgate can be fully opened even in restricted parking spaces or garages and the cee'd SW has one of the most accessible load areas in its market segment.

Luggage capacity up to the rear window line is 534 litres, including 55 litres in trays beneath the boot floor. With the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat, luggage capacity rises to 1664 litres.

In our market, Kia has a seven-model line-up based on the two trim levels and three 1.6-litre engines, a 124bhp petrol unit and 89bhp and 113bhp versions of the European-designed and European-built 1.6-litre CRDi turbo diesel. A good all rounder from KIA that delivers real value for money motoring.

My test vehicle was powered by a 1.6 litre diesel engine and summing up this has got to be one of the best value for money estate cars on the Northern Ireland market. Perhaps I should have said Station Wagon (SW); now that’s a name from the past. Review by Ian Lynas.

Good news for buyers of Kia cars, the unique seven-year warranty is extended to all its cars, delivering Europe's best manufacturer-backed protection for new car buyers.

Previously available on Kia's European-built products such as cee'd and Sportage, the seven-year warranty will now apply to every vehicle in the Kia range from the Picanto city car to the range-topping Sorento.

The new 7-Year Kia Warranty applies to all vehicles sold and registered in more than 20 European countries after 1 January 2010.

“The cee’d SW is a good all rounder and continues to prove popular with Motability customers and like all other models in the KIA range, it benefits from the 7 year warranty package”, Bernard Donaldson, Howard Abraham Ltd.