Kia Cee'd Sportswagon (2012 – 2018) Review

September 2012

Kia Cee’d Sportswagon goes on sale

The entry-level 89bhp 1.4 CRDi engine develops 220Nm of torque from just 1500rpm, while the 126bhp 1.6 CRDi raises the torque output to 260Nm from only 1900rpm. Both transmissions, including the automatic offered with the 1.6-litre engine, are six-speed units, while manual-gearbox models are fitted with Kia’s Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) fuel-saving, emissions-reducing engine stop/start technology.

As a result the 1.4-litre cee’d Sportswagon is capable of 67.3mpg and has CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km, which means a Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) taxation rate of 15 per cent in 2012-13. Manual 1.6-litre versions, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km, fall into the 17 per cent BIK band, and are almost as sparing in their use of fuel, with official combined economy of 64.2mpg. With prices starting at £16,895 and rising to £24,795, and low maintenance and insurance costs, the new Kia cee’d Sportswagon will be an inexpensive car to run for business motorists and fleet operators, as well as private consumers.

At just over 4.5 metres long the Cee’d Sportswagon is more compact than its major European rivals, and just 15mm longer than the Cee’d SW. Yet it offers greater luggage capacity than the majority of the competition – 528 litres up to the load cover with all seats upright and 1642 litres up to the roof with the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat.

The boot floor is flush with the tailgate opening and 60:40 split rear seat bases and backrests fold to ensure a completely flat load deck. Every version of the Cee’d Sportswagon has an under-floor storage compartment and side load areas, a retractable luggage cover, load-securing net hooks, a boot light and a 12-volt boot-mounted power socket.

Higher-specification models also have sliding aluminium luggage area rails and straps plus a high-level luggage barrier net to secure objects and prevent them from falling into the passenger compartment. Roof rails are standard on every model so that extra cargo can be carried outside the car. The Cee’d Sportswagon has a payload of up to 500kg and can tow a braked trailer of 1500kg (manual versions).

Driver and passenger comfort have also been substantially upgraded. Most models now have a Flex Steer function within the standard Motor Driven Power Steering with three settings – ­ Comfort, Normal and Sport – so that the level of assistance can be increased when parking and decreased to make the car more stable at highway speeds.

An electronic parking brake, a heated steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, larger vents to deliver more air to the rear footwells, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with soft and fast air-flow modes, 10-way adjustable driver’s memory seat and electric lumbar support are all new features for Kia’s mid-sized estate car.

The audio systems have been upgraded and are now fully integrated into the dash for a higher-quality appearance, and feature improved functionality. They incorporate Bluetooth with voice recognition in 10 languages and music streaming, iPod connectivity through the original iPod cable and 600Mb of MP3 memory within the head unit. The high-grade Audio plus Navigation system now has a 20 per cent more powerful control unit and permits voice recognition in 13 languages, full UK postcode entry when setting navigation instructions, Traffic Messaging Channel information and full phone number download from the owner’s mobile telephone.

January 2014

SR7 version of Cee'd SW announced

Every SR7 has a higher specification than the 2014 VR7 special-edition models. LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front foglights, automatic headlight control, privacy glass, UV-reducing solar glass, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and roof rails are the highlights of the equipment additions, depending on model. There are also new alloy wheels and colour options.

The new pro-cee'd ‘SR7' slots just below the regular ‘S' grade, while the cee'd and cee'd Sportswagon ‘SR7' fit between regular tiers ‘1' and ‘2'. All three body styles are available with a 98bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, while the five-door cee'd also offers an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel.

Every version has LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front foglights, automatic headlight control and privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate which were not available on the 2014 VR7. Key features carried over include air conditioning, reversing sensors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter, Bluetooth, USB and AUX ports, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and electric windows (all four on five-door versions). The upholstery is black Abstract, also found on the level ‘1' cee'd and Sportswagon, while the double-five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels replicate those on the cee'd ‘2' and ‘3'. The four colour options include solid Track Red plus Silver Storm, Phantom Black and Fusion White metallics.

September 2015

Upgraded Kia Cee'd goes on sale

The improvements include Kia’s all-new three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI engine, as well as a range of new safety, comfort and convenience upgrades.

The upgraded model will come with a new ‘GT Line’ specification, offering buyers the sporty looks and dynamics of the GT models. Changes to the ‘face’ of the Cee’d include a more angular and wider bumper, with chrome trim around the fog lamps, and a new oval-shaped grille mesh.

A similar change has been made to the rear with reshaped bumpers and reflectors. LED rear lamps complete the rear of the car while stylish new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs are also now available across the range.

The dashboard receives a flash of chrome around the instrument binnacle, driver-side and central air vents and around the upper edge of the instrument panel. The central fascia panel is now finished in a high quality, anti-scratch gloss black for a more premium look.

For diesel variants, the upgraded interior of the Cee’d offers improved noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Additional sound-absorbing materials have been adopted for the carpet and ventilation system, while twice as much anti-vibration foam has been added to the dashboard panel to cut engine vibrations intruding on the calm of the cabin. All diesel engines have also been fitted with sound-absorbing material to the engine block, oil pan and diesel particulate filter.

The upgraded cee’d offers a wider choice of powertrains than before, with all engines now compliant with the Euro 6 emissions standard.

For the launch of the 2016 Cee’d, Kia is introducing its all-new 1.0-litre ‘T-GDI’ (turbo petrol direct injection) engine. This new downsized, three-cylinder power unit has been engineered to improve fuel consumption and emissions, while offering strong, willing performance and immediate responses to driver input.

In its basic state, the new engine produces 100PS and 172Nm torque, while the higher powered 1.0-litre T-GDI produces 120PS and the same 172Nm torque.

Available with both the enhanced Cee’d range and the new GT Line variant, the higher powered 1.6 CRDi engine now produces 136PS and 285Nm torque. The Kia cee’d will continue to be offered with the 128PS 1.6-litre GDI and 100PS 1.4-litre MPI (multi-point injection) petrol engines, as well as the popular 1.4-litre CRDi diesel engine, all of which now also meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.

The upgraded Cee’d features a second new technology debut for Kia, with the arrival of the brand’s all-new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT), available exclusively on models equipped with the higher powered 136PS 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine.