50 | road test

Auto Express: The car news weekly

New Ceed vs rivals

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Thanks to: Eurotunnel (08705 353535, www.eurotunnel.com)

top ceed?
after spending millions on development, kia hopes to serve up an ace with its latest family hatchback. and in its first test, the all-new ceed meets key rivals from citroen and mazda
Pictures: David Shepherd

This is Kias most important car ever simple as that. After years of giving British buyers models tailored for the Korean market, but which havent translated particularly well, the company is going for broke by bringing us an all-new family hatchback thats been designed and built exclusively for Europe. Kia has hired a team of top stylists and engineers, and spent 700million and two years constructing a state-of the-art factory at Zilina in slovakia. The end result is the Ceed pronounced seed which goes on sale here from this week. Built on a platform that will also

underpin hyundais imminent compact family hatch, the Ceed is brand new from the ground up. Every variant gets fully independent rear suspension, a port for MP3 players and a stiff bodyshell that should help the newcomer attain a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. Theres also a seven-year warranty. Replacing the slow-selling Cerato, the 10-model range covers three trim levels and four engines, and theres more to follow. Kias aim is to achieve 100,000 sales a year in the UK; to do so, it hopes the Ceed will draw new customers to the brand, but at a price that

wont alienate existing buyers. The line-up starts from less than 11,000, and rises to 14,245 for the top-spec 1.6 CRDi Ls we test here. so far, so good. But whats the model like? To find out, we tested it against two key rivals at the cars launch in the south of France. As with Kia, both Citroen and Mazda have enviable reputations for offering great value for money. The handsome C4 majors on comfort, while the 3, with underpinnings shared with the Ford Focus, aims to deliver driver appeal in a practical package. But has Kia sown the Ceed of success?

kia ceed 1.6 crdi ls

Price: 14,245 Engine: 1.6-litre turbo, 115bhp 0-60mph: 10.9 seconds Economy: 41.6mpg Running costs: N/A Euro NCAP rating: Five stars (est) Why? The Ceed aims to upset the establishment, promising top-notch quality and refinement.

mazda 3 1.6d 109 ts

Price: 14,800 Engine: 1.6-litre turbo, 108bhp 0-60mph: 11.0 seconds Economy: 40.1mpg Running costs: 37.5ppm Euro NCAP rating: Four stars Why? What the Mazda may lack in design appeal, it promises to make up for in terms of value for money.

citroen c4 1.6 hdi sX

Price: 15,440 Engine: 1.6-litre turbo, 110bhp 0-60mph: 12.3 seconds Economy: 42.1mpg Running costs: 36.2ppm Euro NCAP rating: Five stars Why? With its funky looks, the C4 has helped to put style back into the family hatch market.

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52 | Road test New Ceed vs rivals

Auto Express: The car news weekly TRiP ComPuTER

New Ceed vs rivals

1

| 53

sTeP inside if you want more evidence of Kias drive upmarket. Fit and finish cant rival a VW Golfs, but excellent visibility and ergonomics highlight the attention to detail. This is the Korean firms best effort yet.

cabin

ClimATE CoNTRol DEEP DooR PoCkETS

THe Ceeds long wheelbase has enabled Kia to place the rear bench slightly further back than normal, ensuring good legroom. even so, the raised centre section means that a third passenger wont be very comfortable.

rear seats

THe rear lights may cut into the opening slightly, but overall the boot is well shaped. Its also wider than either rivals, even if overall length cant match the Mazdas. Helpfully, the headrests dont have to be removed when youre folding the back seats.

boot

4 2

THIs is the first appearance of Kias brand-new 1.6-litre CRDi diesel, but expect to see it in other models before too long. Its refined yet muscular, but would be even better if it came with a six-speed gearbox.

engine

kia ceed 1.6 ls

Is Kias quest for mainstream acceptance now complete? From the Picanto city car to the Carens compact MPV, the firm is now creating models that suit the needs of British buyers. The Ceed is the next big step along the path to sales success. Kia obviously believes in investing in talent, too although designer Peter schreyer (the man responsible for the Audi TT) was obviously recruited too late to give the Ceed any real pizzazz. The styling is modern, with tight panel gaps, attractive light clusters and clean surfaces, although its also rather safe. While its not bland, the car doesnt stand out, either, and its proportions are similar to the Mazda 3s. Is this a coincidence? We dont think so. Yet the Ceed is better packaged than its Japanese rival. Although its the shortest car here, the Kia has the longest wheelbase, and is taller and wider than either opponent. Open the tailgate, and youre greeted by a 340-litre load area with minimal intrusion from the suspension. The seats also fold flat to create a maximum 1,300-litre space. These figures arent class-leading, but the Ceed is roughly as practical as a Ford Focus

5
1,550mm

Its the best car the brand has ever made but can it steal a march on more established rivals?
or Volkswagen Golf. Back seat passengers are certainly well catered for, though. The doors open wide to make getting in and out easy, and both rivals fall 40mm short of the Kiaa 760mm legroom measurement. Whats more, the bench is comfortable, and the Ceed is the only car of our test trio to come with electric rear windows. The driving environment is even more successful. For starters, Kia has got the seating position inch perfect. Tall drivers can get low enough, while a wide range of steering column adjustment means shorter occupants wont be ill at ease, either. In fact, the only real criticism we have is that the column stalks on our test car were the wrong way round indicators on the right, wipers on the left. Kia assures us that this is being corrected for righthand-drive production models. The cabin design is simple and intuitive. A large glass area ensures that the interior is light and airy especially in the rear ergonomics are first-rate and stowage is well thought out, too. Whats more, build quality is the best of these three contenders. We particularly like the dashboard plastics, although its a shame the instrument binnacle and door control panel have such a cheap-looking, shiny finish. When it comes to the Ceeds engineering, Kia hasnt cut any corners. The 1.6-litre common-rail diesel is excellent it is smoother and quieter than Citroens acclaimed HDi unit and it delivers faster acceleration than the Mazda. Thats all the more impressive when you consider the Ceed is the heaviest and least aerodynamic car here. For those who dont need this models ability to cover 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds, theres also a low-power 90bhp Gs version which costs 1,250 less. But we think the 115bhp unit is the one to go for. With a 15Nm torque advantage over its rivals and long gearing 70mph equates to 2,400rpm in fifth the 255Nm unit proved extremely flexible. It picks up well from low revs and dismissed the 50-70mph top gear increment in only 10.4 seconds. Unfortunately, the brakes are a weakness, and the Ceeds 38.3-metre stopping distance from 60mph was the longest here. Overall, though, the Kia comes across as relaxed and easy-going more so than the Citroen, which is some achievement and the ride is actually very competent. It doesnt waft you along like the C4, but its better at taking the sting out of rough roads largely due to the stiffer bodyshell. This also helps refinement, and in our tests the Ceed was quieter than both rivals on the move, dealing with wind and tyre noise just as effectively as engine intrusion. The Kias ability to cruise comfortably is matched by its handling. The steering isnt the last word in feedback, but body control is good, and the car is reassuring through corners. Decent visibility and a tight 10.3metre turning circle mean its not intimidating when tackling city streets, either. The price is also unlikely to frighten anyone off. At 14,245, its not exactly cheap, but then Kia is anxious not to be perceived as a budget brand any more. The solid build quality certainly aids that impression, as does the kit tally. stability control really should be standard, but climate control, a multifunction steering wheel and the MP3 player input are all desirable features that should help Kia easily reach its target of 10,000 UK Ceed sales this year.

1,120mm

KIAs decision to include an auxiliary input on every car is sure to find favour with younger buyers. You cant control your MP3 player through the stereo, but the UsB socket lets you keep the unit charged, or plug in a solid-state memory device.

mp3

Height: 1,480mm

length/wheelbase/width: 4,235/2,650/1,790mm

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54 | Road test New Ceed vs rivals

Auto Express: The car news weekly

New Ceed vs rivals

Auto Express: The car news weekly

Road test | 55
A VeRY black cabin does the Mazda few favours particularly as the plastics are cheap and shiny. The hooded dials add a sporty touch, but the orange back-lighting and featureless switchgear dont suggest quality.

back seat driver

What does the seven-year warranty on the Ceed cover?
THE unique 100,000-mile deal applies only to the drivetrain. Everything else on the car has five years cover. on top of that, theres a fiveyear paint guarantee, 10-year antiperforation warranty and three-year roadside assistance package.

THeRes nothing quite like the C4! But while its individuality appeals, the button layout isnt very clear and data is scattered between three screens. Controls on the fixed-hub steering wheel arent particularly logical, either.

cabin design

interior

is kia planning to introduce any other Ceed variants?

YES, plenty in fact! The estate is set to be launched in September, followed by a sporty three-door hatch based on the Pro_ceed concept seen at the Paris motor Show last year. A coup-cabrio is tipped for 2008, and all models use the five-doors platform.

How does the firm hope to get people into the Ceed?
Height: 1,458mm

iTS organising a huge test drive, and is aiming to offer 25,000 people the chance to try a Ceed for three days. The offer lasts until August, and at the end, 100 customers will be given the opportunity to drive a free Ceed for 12 months.
length/wheelbase/width: 4,260/2,608/1,773mm

CITROeNs HDi unit used to be renowned for its smooth and relaxing nature, but compared to the Ceeds engine, the 1.6 was noisy at start-up. Its not the strongest performer, either, although it did return the best fuel economy in this test.

engine

Height: 1,465mm

As well as having the shortest wheelbase, the C4 boasts the smallest boot. Its 32 litres down on the Mazdas with the seats up; fold them and it has a 277-litre deficit to the Kia. The cheap parcel shelf doesnt help.

boot space

WHILe the 3 is the longest car here by 155mm, it only just has the biggest boot, at 346 litres. Mazda doesnt quote a capacity measured to the roofline, but its at least as spacious as the luggage bay in the Ceed.

boot

length/wheelbase/width: 4,415/2,640/1,755mm

citroen c4 1.6 hdi sX

Individual, comfortable and great value hatch is a strong contender

On first impressions, neither is the engine. The 1.6 lARgE DigiTAl SPEEDo HDi is clattery and noisy at start-up, although its much better once fully warm. With 240Nm of torque at a lowly 1,750rpm, it should pull pretty well thanks to the C4s 1,280kg kerbweight, but it never actually feels as muscular or responsive as 1,050mm either rival. The Citroen lagged well behind at the limiTED SToWAgE test track, and although it was relatively free from BRoAD SEATS 1 2 vibration, the engine was badly let down by the vague gearchange. Its not all bad news, however. Thanks to its impressive ride quality, the C4 is an WHeN it comes to unconventionally stylish cars, C4. The ignition key doesnt lock when flipped Citroen has a very rich history. It defined itself open, meaning any attached keys bounce excellent motorway cruiser, and its high-speed as a manufacturer willing to take risks when it againsIts Its the small details that grate with stability is particularly impressive. It struggles to launched the distinctive Ds, with its air-suspen- the C4. The ignition key doesnt lock when absorb potholes at lower speeds, though, while sion and swivelling headlights. However, the the frame doesnt feel as strong as the five-star flipped open, meaning any attached keys euro NCAP crash test rating suggests it is. marque slipped into the design doldrums dur- bounce against your knee, and theres no real ing the eighties and Nineties, and has only storage all you get are some small and unusaAnd the C4 isnt the last word in involvement. recently got back on track. The steering is sharp but over-assisted, and on ble trays and cubbyholes, which seem like afterthoughts. ergonomically, its not espe Now, its sense of style has returned, and rough roads theres noticeable kickback through the C4, launched in 2005, was one of the first cially well laid out. the column. At least the car is grippy, turns in well so are there any good points? Well, the models to show off the French makers new and has strong brakes it stopped from 60mph in design ethos. Its a vast improvement on the 37.3 metres, which is the best here. broad seats are accommodating, the dashanonymous Xsara it replaced, and from the mounted screen is easy to read even in direct On paper, the Citroen is the most expensive of bold double-chevron grille to the beetle-back these three, but the firms constant cashback sunlight and the cabin has a refreshingly indirear hatch, its unmistakably a Citroen. offers mean its highly unlikely youll actually pay vidual look. the 15,440 on-the-road price. shop around and The three and five-door are quite different in However, the 314-litre boot isnt particularly profile, but the latter has the more cohesive you should be able to get around 2,000 off, makgenerous, and due to the curved roofline, rear design. Handsome and well proportioned, its ing this mid-range sX model the cheapest car headroom is pinched, although the cut-out easily the best-looking model in this trio. seatbacks mean reasonable leg space for those here. It comes with stability and cruise control as The stylists have tried to carry this design in the back. Where the firm really needs to pull standard, but is missing climate control or an MP3 flair through to the interior, but were not sure its socks up is in the build quality department. player connection. The car in this test is Auto express own 9,000they have succeeded. While the fixed-hub Nevertheless, the C4 is good value for money, steering wheel is certainly quirky, it takes some mile long-termer, and the loose steering coland Citroen deserves praise for being brave getting used to, and the buttons arent easy to umn trim, tinny doors and flimsy plastics enough to develop a family hatch like no other. If reach. Its the small details that grate with the only the execution was more polished. werent reassuring.
mm 00 1,5

As with its competitors here, the C4 is equipped with a fivespeed manual transmission. The shift quality is appalling, however: long, vague and graunchy, it is the main reason the Citroen failed to match its rivals against the clock.

gearbox

mazda 3 1.6d ts
SilvER-RiNgED DiAlS

Will 3 prove a winning number with its Focus platform and solid build?

ITs hard to believe this 1.6litre diesel has much in common with Fords acclaimed TDCi unit. With less soundproofing, it comes across as rather coarse, while it has a narrower usable power band than the Kias CRDi engine.

engine

OF this trio, the Mazda is the only car likely to find favour with keen drivers. While the Citroen is soft and cosseting and the Kia capable, the 3 provides taut body control and incisive turn-in. The steering could be sharper, but feedback is good.

on the road

TINNY rear doors are indicative of quality issues elsewhere. Light and flimsy, they clang shut and generally make the model seem rather insubstantial. This impression isnt misleading this car is our 9,000-mile longtermer, and it already feels tired.

Quality

TiNNY STEREo

DEEP glovEBox 1,040mm

1
IF youre thinking that the Mazda and Kia look similar, then youre not the only one. During our test, we had several comments from onlookers with the same opinion. Kia obviously took inspiration from its Japanese rival, but its difficult to see the reason why. The 3 is far from striking, and wasnt particularly outstanding when launched in 2003, so it looks even more pedestrian now. The hatch underwent a mid-life facelift last year which introduced restyled front and rear bumpers and a new grille. There are some nice touches the black surround of the tail-light clusters, for instance but the small 15-inch alloy wheels fitted to our entry-level Ts variant dont really flatter the lines. And the back end looks a little fussy, too in fact, we think the 3 looks far better as a fourdoor saloon than a five-door hatch. In short, it comes across as rather bland and dated. Last years update also stretched to the cabin, yet its much the same story as the exterior. Dark and dull, it lacks the C4s flair and the Ceeds airy ambience. The design is inoffensive, but thats simply not good enough these days. In fact, the only thing that stands out are the flashing red lights that trigger when you switch

2
the stereo on. Put simply, theres little to hold your attention. While build quality is good for the most part, our cars glovebox had a habit of popping open when cornering. And even more disappointing are the materials. For instance, the thin-rimmed plastic steering wheel is not a good first contact point. Thankfully, storage is decent, with a pair of large cup-holders on the centre console and useful door pockets. The driving position is good, while theres plenty of adjustment on the seat and steering. And although the chairs arent quite as comfortable as the Citroens, they offer better lateral support. Rear passengers are well looked after, with enough room for two adults, but the 3 cant match the Ceed for legroom and overall spaciousness. Power comes from a Ford-sourced 1.6-litre turbodiesel, and while the 108bhp engine has the least horsepower here, it matches the Citroens 240Nm torque output. even though our test car had covered less than 1,000 miles, it was only marginally behind the more powerful Kia with a 0-60mph time of exactly 11 seconds. But the 3 proved slower completing the in-gear increments. The engine is quite punchy lowdown torque peaks 150rpm earlier than in the Ceed. The trouble is, it runs out of breath easily, and in town you have to keep the turbo on the boil for a quick getaway. Its better on the motorway, although engine noise does become intrusive at higher speeds. The ride isnt as smooth as either rivals and potholes are much more noticeable in the 3 it tends to fidget over smaller bumps. This, combined with the extra noise, does harm the Japanese hatchs refinement. However, the Mazda corners precisely, with good body control, while the steering is well weighted and offers the best feel. Over twisting roads, the 3 is surprisingly good fun, with high levels of grip and agile, predictable handling. Price-wise, our Ts variant isnt much more expensive than the Ceed, and its equipment tally seems to stack up, too. As with its Korean rival, the Mazda gets a multifunction steering wheel, climate control and Isofix child seat mountings as standard not a bad selection of kit for an entry-level model. Optional extras are thin on the ground, though; theres no stability control, for instance. However, if your heart is set on the 3, its worth knowing that it pays to hunt around. We found independent retailers offering 1,500 savings.

THe shift is far more positive than the Citroens, but our cars gearlever top came loose, twisting easily in our testers hand. Its a fault we have experienced on the 3 before, and one which can soon become very annoying when driving in traffic.

gearlever

mm 1,610

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56 | Road test New Ceed vs rivals

Auto Express: The car news weekly

what will it cost you? facts

Kia Citroen Mazda
It may have the same 60.1mpg claimed combined figure as the C4, but in reality our Ceed didnt prove quite as frugal. It returned 41.6mpg on our test route, while a 53-litre tank gives the Kia a range of 485 miles. OUR long-term Citroen is well run-in, having covered nearly 9,000 miles so wed hoped for more than 42.1mpg over the course of its 1,900-mile round trip to the south of France. The 556-mile range was good, though. due to its very low mileage, the Mazda only just managed to top 40mpg. As with both of its competitors, this rose to nearer 50mpg during motorway cruising, but it fell to around 35mpg on the twistier parts of our test route.

& figures
kiA CEED 1.6 CRDi lS
On the road price/total as tested Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) Contract hire per month Annual tax liability std/higher rate Running costs (pence per mile) Insurance group/quote Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service Length/wheelbase Height/width Engine 14,245/14,595 N/A N/A 564/1,026 N/A 6/N/A N/A 4,235/2,650mm 1,480/1,790mm 4cyl/1,582cc turbo 115/4,000 bhp/rpm 255/1,900 Nm/rpm 5-spd, man/fwd 53 litres/space saver 340/1,300 litres 1,367/352/1,400kg 10.3 metres/0.33Cd 7yrs (100,000)/3yrs Kia 12,500 miles/170 10.9 secs 11.0 secs 4.6/8.5 secs 10.4 secs 117mph 38.3/10.1 metres 61/41/56/65dB 41.6mpg/485 miles 49.6/67.3/60.1mpg 125g/km/18 per cent six/yes/DFO/no Yes/yes/no/no Yes/350/no No/DFO/no No/yes/no Yes/yes/yes DFO/no/yes/no

economy

CiTRoEN C4 1.6 HDi Sx

15,440/15,800 5,419/35.1 per cent 266 611/1,112 36.2 5/297 190/190/299 4,260/2,608mm 1,458/1,773mm 4cyl/1,560cc turbo 110/4,000 bhp/rpm 240/1,750 Nm/rpm 5-spd, man/fwd 60 litres/full size 314/1,023 litres 1,280/520/1,300kg 10. 7 metres/0.31Cd 3yrs (60,000)/1yr Citroen 12,500 miles/284 12.3 secs 13.2 secs 5.3/9.3 secs 11.1 secs 119mph 37.3/8.9 metres 64/39/57/67dB 42.1mpg/556 miles 47.1/70.6/60.1mpg 128g/km/18 per cent six/yes/no/no Yes/no/no/no Yes/360/no No/yes/yes No/yes*/no Yes/yes/yes No/no/no/175

mAzDA 3 1.6D 109 TS

14,800/14,800 5,950/40.2 per cent 278 586/1,066 37.5 5/282 130/160/180 4,415mm/2,640mm 1,465/1,755mm 4cyl/1,560cc turbo 108/4,000 bhp/rpm 240/1,750 Nm/rpm 5-spd, man/fwd 55 litres/space saver 346/1,285 litres 1,350/475/1,300kg 10.9 metres/0.30Cd 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs Mazda 12,500 miles/159 11.0 secs 11.8 secs 4.8/7.9 secs 11.3 secs 113mph 37.9/9.2 metres 63/43/57/67dB 40.1mpg/485 miles 46.3/68.9/58.9mpg 128g/km/18 per cent six/yes/300/no Yes/yes/no/no Yes/325/no No/no/no No/yes*/no Yes/yes/yes No/no/no/no

servicing

As Auto express went to press, Kia dealers hadnt been able to calculate servicing costs. However, the Ceeds pricing is likely to be competitive; the first three checks on the Cerato 1.5 diesel which this Ceed replaces came to around 510.

A ReAL surprise here. Although Citroen dealers may offer savings when buying a new car, getting it serviced is a different matter. The first three visits will set you back a hefty 679 over 200 more than the Mazda.

All three cars driven here have the same 12,500mile service intervals, but its the Mazda which comes out cheapest. At a mere 470 for three checks, its good value although Mazda has the smallest dealer network, with 159 outlets in the uK.

Peak power Peak torque Transmission Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel Boot capacity (seats up/down) Kerbweight/payload/towing weight Turning circle/drag coefficient Basic warranty/recovery Service intervals/UK dealers 0-60mph 30-70 thru gears 30-50 in 3rd/4th

taX

BusIness users are expected to account for 35 per cent of Ceed sales, and they will be glad to learn that the Kia emits only 125g/km of CO2. Consequently, it sits in the bottom tax bracket and is the cheapest of these three.

ALTHOUGH it puts out 3g/km more CO2 than the Ceed, the C4 sits in the same 18 per cent tax bracket as does any car with emissions of less than 140g/km. The higher price tag means it costs an extra 50 a year to run.

MAzdAs 1.6-litre oilburning engine emits the same amount of CO2 as the C4. However, because the 3 has a lower list price, its marginally cheaper for company car drivers to run lower-band owners will fork out 586 a year.

50-70 in 5th Top speed Braking 60-0/30-0mph Noise levels outside/idle/30/70mph Auto Express economy/range Govt urban/extra-urban/combined CO2 emissions/tax bracket Airbags/Isofix/parking/rain sensors Air-con/clim ctrl/leather/heated seats Alloy wheels/met paint/xenon lights Auto gearbox/stability/cruise control Elec sunroof/windows/folding mirrors

residuals

tHe experts at HsBC have yet to calculate residual values, but Kias improving image and drive upmarket should mean the Ceed does reasonably well. We anticipate a retained figure of around 40 per cent after three years.

CITROeNs giveaway pricing policies have led to poor residuals only 35.1 per cent in the case of our C4 1.6 HDi sX. However, if you pay less for the car in the first place, the drop in value is not quite as large.

tHe Mazda 3 fares better on the second-hand market than its rivals here, and after three years it will still be worth 40.2 per cent or 5,950. However, the entry-level s model is even stronger, retaining 42.6 per cent of its new cost.

Multifunc steering/adjust reach/rake Sat-nav/CD changer/MP3/Bluetooth

Auto Express star ratings

Styling/image Interior/quality Engine/performance Driving experience Ownership costs

5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5

5 5 5 5

DFO: Dealer fit option. Retained value figures supplied by Glasss. Ppm figures and contract hire rates by HSBC. Both based over three years and 36,000 miles. Insurance quotes from AA (Tel 0800 107 0680 or www.theAA.com) for a male, aged 42, living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penalty points.

verdict

Bold = equipment fitted to our test car

Is the Ceed revolutionary? It is for Kia. Investing so heavily in europe has paid dividends the Ceed is a much more appealing and competitive product than anything the Korean firm has built before. But does it set new class standards? Not quite. Its a very competent hatchback thats well built and cleanly styled, but its only unique selling point is the seven-year warranty. While this is very appealing, the car itself doesnt have a particularly strong personality. However, its a fine all-rounder and has the measure of both rivals here. The Citroen C4 has a laid-back attitude, good comfort and distinctive design. It also offers the potential for big price savings, but the cheap trim and poor ergonomics let it down. The Mazda 3 really needs to watch its step, though. Bland inside and out, its not as spacious or smooth-riding as the Kia. Its easy to see potential buyers being persuaded to swap to the Ceed instead.

Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi LS

tHe Ceed has relatively few weaknesses. It is robust, has a smooth diesel, is light and easy to drive, nicely equipped and well laid out. We only wish Kia had injected a little more excitement.

Citroen C4 1.6 HDi SX

2 3
IF style counts, the C4 cant be beaten. Its dramatic lines are matched by an equally quirky cabin. Yet while the design is spot-on, the quality leaves a bit to be desired.

Mazda 3 1.6D 109 TS

BAsed on the Focus, the Mazda drives well, with neat handling and good steering. the trouble is, despite a recent facelift, it is starting to show its age and lacks its rivals showroom appeal.

autoexpress.co.uk 7 February 2007