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Kia Ceed Sportswagon (2012-2018) review

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Parkers overall rating: 4 out of 54.0

At a glance

Price new £16,255 - £25,695
Used prices £888 - £10,554
Road tax cost £20 - £210
Insurance group 6 - 16
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Fuel economy Not tested to latest standards
Range 490 - 839 miles
Number of doors 5
View full specs for a specific version

Available fuel types

Petrol

Diesel

Pros & cons

PROS
  • Easy to drive
  • Comfortable
  • Practical
  • Extensive equipment list
  • Long warranty
  • Low running costs
CONS
  • Dull steering
  • Engines lack pulling power
  • Less attractive interior finish on base models

Written by Lewis Kingston Published: 6 June 2019

Overview

The Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a medium-sized estate that’s designed to be practical, stylish and good value for money.

Fancy something with a bit more style, but with a little less space? Read up on the 2019 Proceed shooting brake

An all-new car at launch, it replaces the previous cee’d SW. Kia says that the Sportswagon’s new unabbreviated name captures the car’s sporting and modern character, further differentiating it from the older generation. One thing’s for sure: with well-established medium estate rivals like the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, the Kia has a fight on its hands.

Economical engine range

With the Sportswagon designed to appeal to cost-conscious private buyers and company car drivers, it was offered initially with just a choice of two diesel engines. Customers can pick from either an 89bhp 1.4-litre engine or a more powerful 126bhp (134bhp from 2015) 1.6-litre engine. The most economical option is the 1.4-litre unit which is claimed to average 67.3mpg. Both come with a six-speed manual gearbox but an automatic version of the 1.6-litre diesel is available.

By the time the range was facelifted in autumn 2015, introducing a raft of subtle enhancements – including the introduction of the sporty GT Line trim – as well as a turbocharged 1-litre petrol engine to join the existing 1.4-litre non-turbo motor.

Extensive standard equipment

If you’re looking for a car that’s not going to disappoint on the equipment front then the Kia cee’d Sportswagon will fit the bill nicely. The entry-level ‘1’ specification cars are well equipped and feature air-con, front electric windows, a cooled glovebox, remote central locking, daytime running lights, an iPod compatible stereo, USB and Bluetooth connectivity and numerous practical features. Each car also comes with an wide range of safety kit.

A practical and sensible choice

Those needing a car that can cope with a multitude of tasks should be pleased by the Kia’s large, easily accessible boot and seating for five adults. Further bolstering the Sportswagon’s load carrying capabilities are roof rails, myriad storage points and a braked towing weight of 1,500kg.