Confidence comes as standard in the new Kia Cee’d Sportswagon.
On sale this week as seven models alongside the successful cee’d hatchback, the new estate not only succeeds but moves up from the former SW estate.
Kia UK md Mike Cole says there is growing aspirational value in an estate or wagon model and the replacement for the cee’d SW is designed and refined in Europe for Continental tastes. Revised design begins from the B-pillar backwards
That means it not only has to carry more than its hatchback stablemate launched earlier this year, but it has to offer strong refinement and sophistication and not be just a practical workhorse.
“There is a definite shift in demand towards the wagon being seen as aspirational car and I think the German brands have had a lot to do with this,” he said at the launch of the cee’d Sportswagon in Slovakia, where it is made for Europe.
“The Sportswagon is quite different to the original SW which was functional and practical and the Sportswagon is very much more strongly appealing with its styling and it’s a much an improved car in terms of equipment, comfort and driving dynamics.”
Kia UK sales director Yaser Shabsogh believes the new Sportswagon will do even better than the previous SW estate did for the former cee’d lineup.
“With the former SW we actually did good business with genuine small business buyers and fleets and it took about 45pc of all cee’d sales but our early indications are that the new Sportswagon will take closer to 60pc,” he said.
Last year, Kia UK sold approximately 55,000 models and believes it’s on course for 65,000 this year and to double its numbers again in a few years as new products are brought into showrooms, said Mr Shabsogh.
A significant proportion of those sales will be cee’d hatchbacks and Sportswagon models, which have already shown they could rise 40pc this year.
Another strong appeal of the Kia brand is the 7-years warranty and this has encouraged the take up of the pcp to register models, and which is anticipated to very quickly grow from about 25pc to nearly half.
“People ask how we can offer a seven years warranty and that’s simple to answer because we know we have quality products which are not going to cost us lots of money in claims and repairs so we can factor those advantages into the prices in showrooms,” added Mr Shabsogh.
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. Automatic is available only on 1.6 derivatives.
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. Insurance is just Group 6 for the entry model and the rest are 12-15.
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. 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.
Even 1 level cars look smart and hardwearing inside
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).
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 customers. Low floor loading and good size to take items
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Kia cee’d Sportswagon for MY13 is a real improvement over the former SW and a real match against more expensive wagons from premium German brands.
We tried a 1.6 diesel in the T3 specification which overall averaged 54.6mpg and coped very well with a variety of road surfaces and a 1.4 T1 trimmed version which did a best of 70mpg and ended up recording 63.6mpg.
The T3 is a very good and attractive equipment spec including a large central console housing air conditioning and entertrainment system, and there is a more basic layout in the T1 trim which noticeably less brightwork and contrasting trim colours.
The bigger engine developed its power from about 1,900rpm and there was a slight lag as a result on getaway and sometimes in a higher gear.
Changes were direct, steering very sharp and ride was particularly good.
I thought the ride in the 1.4 was slightly more jiggly than its stablemate and while the trim level is lower it’s still perfectly acceptable. It was a reasonably smooth unit too and the gearbox, also six speed on this one, was positive in action with a nicely balanced feel to the clutch.
Room is good for both front and back seat users and particularly in the back for a wagon.
Upswept side styling unusual in an estate type body Its very easy to load the rear and it has a useful cover, while the back seats fold down flat in a 60/ 40 split for greatest practicality.
Handling was safe, surefooted with some body roll, but little pitching or dipping under acceleration and braking.
With good looks, practical and refined interior, good economy and satisfying driving dynamics, the Kia cee’d Sportswagon will be satisfying for each of its seven years’ warranty, and then some.
