Kia Cee'd – destined for success?

In 2006, Kia launched its new creation, which it gave the strange name Cee'd, and if not for television advertising, people would not even be able to pronounce the name of the car. However, it quickly became clear that practicing pronunciation was worthwhile and that 633 people around the world did it. buyers - the Korean compact has become a bestseller.

Why? To this day I wonder how it was possible. The market for compact cars is so tight that breaking through dozens of designs is a miracle, like a piece of the Red Sea. Not only that, you can produce a technological masterpiece that still won't sell, because most people think "Golf" when they say "compact." Okay - let's not be monotonous: sometimes it's "Octavia", "Focus" or "Astra". But for a car from Korea to start seriously “stuffing”? Meanwhile, the inconspicuous Cee has achieved the impossible - achieved sales success.

I open the fridge and...

Recently, I tried to imagine a road situation in which Ceed would not be around. Well, you can't because this car is so popular. Individuals drive to work every day and take their children to school. Every once in a while a replica car will make you have priority on the road because it's being driven by a sales rep. And when I break the recipe, a guy in uniform pops out of nowhere with a lollipop in his hand, and a silver Cee'd parks in the bushes to add more points to my account. Cee'd can be found everywhere.

Where does this success come from? Perhaps this is due to the transfer of production to the Old Continent? Or the idea of ​​creating a Korean car specifically for Europeans? On the other hand, even the oldest Cee'dy is still under the manufacturer's warranty - after all, not even 7 years have passed. However, this small car still got old ...

Second edition, improved

Kia is not going to let the competition breathe, so it has prepared the next generation of its bestseller. There has been speculation about a new model for a long time, so I was wondering what path the company would take. There are two: he could create a new car that looks like the old one, and his photograph would be perfect for lulling screaming babies to sleep. This is what Volkswagen does, and this strategy is not bad at all in terms of sales. There is also a second option - just create a car, at the sight of which most people will scream: “God, what is this ?!” and run with a wallet to the salon to be “fashionable”. That's what Honda does, and they're good at it. I bet on the first option, but which one did Kia choose? No.

The new Cee'd is the sweet spot. In addition, he spreads the brand's golden idea: "Let's make a car for Europe!". To be honest, this amuses me, because it turns out that the Asians can design a more interesting car than other companies in the domestic market. Of course, this is an illusion, because Kii cars are designed and built in Germany and manufactured in Slovakia.

The new generation looks completely different than its predecessor, but at the same time is not boring or too flashy. There is no denying the fact that this is a car aimed at young and dynamic customers. And that's a plus, because if there's something for everything, it's useless. So if I walked out of Cee'd in front of the supermarket, no one would be surprised. Would people probably attribute the midlife crisis to my father and my grandfather? What do you know guy to joke about. This is such a car - offensive and even intriguing. Do the engines keep up with his character too?

The car can be purchased with two petrol units - 1.4l 100km and 1.6l 135km - both with direct fuel injection. Of course, the diesel offer also could not be missed. They have the same power as gasoline engines - only the power is slightly different: the weaker version reaches 90 km, and the stronger one reaches 128. I was still curious if Kia had intimidated environmentalists and introduced unknown, eco-friendly solutions into their Job. And what? And one more thing - along with the car you can get a package with a not very smart name “eco”. Thanks to this, a 1.6-liter diesel engine can burn less than 4 liters of fuel per 100 km. The DCT automated transmission is also new - it has two clutches and is fast and trendy because every major brand now offers this design. What else has changed in automotive technology? Well, almost everything.

Both visually and technically, the new generation looks like a fresh pineapple compared to a canned one. Canned is also good, but only until you try fresh. Kia said that cooperation is essential these days, so they smiled at Hyundai again. The two companies have jointly created a new floorboard for the i30 and Cee'd. The compact Kia is traditionally longer than its predecessor, but also shorter. The wheelbase remains the same, but there is more space inside, as well as space in the trunk (by 40 liters). In addition, the car spent a lot of time in the wind tunnel to make the body skin with the lowest possible air resistance. Interesting embossing, neat lines and LED lights only emphasize the character of Cee'd. But it's not just the appearance in the car...

First ride

Traditionally, for a test drive, I tried to choose a version from the beginning of the price list, because, focusing on the price, buyers usually start looking at the top of the table. And so I got the keys to a red Cee'd with a base 100-horsepower 1,4-liter petrol engine and a manual transmission.

As soon as I got into the car, I realized that something was wrong. I could barely reach the pedal legs - and my legs are long. Someone moved the driver's seat as far as possible, although I did not see journalists with a height of 230 cm in groups from other countries, and there was more or less room for such a giant. I drove the seat forward, took my seat and… got out to take a picture of the back seat for you. See for yourself how much space there is for a two-meter driver. Maybe it's not decent to throw such praises at the beginning, but it's hard to resist - bravo! There's so much room in the car that many D-class limousines could learn from.

It happens with a European that he is picky, like a Persian cat, and usually he doesn’t like anything. Therefore, the car, which is to conquer Europe, must be really good in all respects. Sitting in the new Kii compact, I can see that every effort has been made to keep the practicality and finish of the new compact up to par. Not only are the materials pleasant to the touch and well-fitted, but you can also count on nice additions - from the little things, such as the ability to select the support mode by pressing a button directly from the heated steering wheel, rear view camera, automatic parking, keyless start, panoramic roof, the control strip down to more basic things like automatic air conditioning with a touchscreen at the forefront.

The choice of noble finishing materials and the attention to detail are impressive. I know that despite the smallest power unit, I'm sitting in a well-finished and completed copy. I also know that the cheapest versions will probably not have such luxurious materials. However, the richly equipped version, in which I am currently sitting, rubs against the premium segment with its quality and atmosphere.

Should I sweeten it again? I can't help it, it's just cozy and nice. On the way, maybe I'll find some flaws ... I start the engine and ... oh, I started it earlier. I don’t know how it is with the diesel muffling, but the gasoline engine at the bus stop is almost inaudible. And it is said that in every version it is so - not only in “my bloated one”.

We went with a colleague from another edition along the Costa del Sol from Malaga to Marbella. We have less than 50 kilometers ahead of us along the sea. We choose a scenic route full of roundabouts and speed bumps. Carousels allow you to evaluate the steering system, the behavior of the car in a turn, its maneuverability and visibility in case of an unexpected lane change. Speed ​​bumps check the suspension. The traffic on the road is lazy and there are not many opportunities to go faster, but after less than an hour of driving, the behavior of the car is not to be complained about.

The steering system works similarly to the previous generation, so as expected, the power of its support can be easily adjusted with a button on the steering wheel, and the suspension dampens the sills boldly and handles faster roundabouts. The car is also relatively quiet while driving, interrupted only by the engine when it has to rev higher. But a fly in the ointment gives little. Torque of 137 Nm and power of 100 hp. this is not enough for a modern and well-equipped car to be the first at the traffic lights and for lovers of dynamic driving, I would recommend another engine option. It remains to wipe the tears of moderate fuel consumption, which in the city fluctuates around 8-9 liters / 100 km.

Summation

Finally, about prices. They will become known only in a few days, but we already know that the difference between diesel and petrol will be 6.000 zlotys, that the surcharge from the cheapest version S to M is 6.500 zlotys, to L – 7.000 zlotys, and finally to the richest XL – another 10 51.500. How much exactly? I can try to guess. Let's say the price of a new Cee'd can be PLN for the basic version. We will check this forecast in a few days.

In addition to the 5d and wagon versions, which will not start production until August and, of course, in Zilina, Kia plans to return to the pro-cee version with more powerful engines.

Is the new generation of the Korean compact doomed to success, as Kii representatives say? One thing is for sure - Cee'd has an even bigger challenge than his predecessor. Previously, the manufacturer wanted to somehow shine on the European market, but now he has to not only maintain his position, but also intend to expand. To be honest, I didn't like Korean cars because they never fascinated me. That's why Kia's idea of ​​conquering the C segment with the first generation Cee'd in 2006 seemed ridiculous to me. Besides, it's not just me. This time, something else amuses me - that when the turn of the second generation of this compact comes, no one laughs anymore.