34 Kia Cee’d: sharp looks and surprisingly engaging to drive

You could make an argument, and a pretty convincing one, that the Cee’d is actually a better all-round product than its sister car, the Sportage. Of course that argument would be a whisper lost amid the hurricane of the world’s desire for SUVs, but there’s no doubt, even so, that the Cee’d is a very good car indeed.

Sharp looking and surprisingly engaging to drive (especially in three-door kinda-coupe ProCee’d form), the Cee’d really is a solidly impressive family hatchback. Actually, scratch that hatchback, because the best version of the Cee’d by miles is the Sportswagon estate version. Yeah, we know; no-one in Ireland likes estates but, honestly, from its more handsome lines to that simply massive boot, the estate Cee’d is the one to have.

The new 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is a welcome relief from diesel, albeit the 1.6 diesel is actually still pretty impressive. Cabin space is excellent and quality looks good, but they are prone to developing annoying interior rattles.

Price range: €19,650 to €27,490

CO2 emissions: 104 to 138g/km

Which one? Sportswagon 1.6 diesel EX

PCP from €204 a month