Our cars update: Kia Cee’d
24 October 2008
- Disappointing seats
- Material feels too cheap
- New challenges coming
Kia ’d SW 1.6 CRDi 89 GS
List price £13,945
Target price £12,682
Run by Alex Jenner-Fust
Tested for 4 months/4000 miles
It’s not surprising I don’t feel comfortable behind the wheel with a baby in the way, but I’m not alone in finding the Cee’d’s seats disappointing; feedback from others confirm they’re more Primark than Prada.
Admittedly, at this price we shouldn’t expect the luxury you’d find in a Volvo, but the combination of cheap materials and simple packaging don’t make for relaxed motoring.
The ‘all shook up’ feeling is only enhanced by the overly firm ride. My journeys on the patchworked roads of South-West London keep the baby on its toes, and I hope that if it sleeps through this, it will sleep through anything.
These gripes haven’t stopped people borrowing it: with lots of room and an economical engine, it’s a popular choice for anyone moving house or going on holiday.
However, the sharing stops here, because I’ll keep the Kia while I’m on maternity leave, and will give it (and myself) a series of new challenges. From fitting a child seat to loading the boot with the hundred-weight of gear that seems to go with a baby on even short trips, it’ll be just like the Olympics – and no one expects a gold medal winner to look comfortable, do they? 
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