Kia Ceed 2018 review

Quality wise, it’s on par with the Golf. There are posh, soft surfaces on top of the dash and doors, Germanic-looking and feeling switches and seat materials, and the now obligatory touchscreen – seven inches on our mid-range 3 spec car, rising to eight on First Edition models – that sits on top of the dash.

Our first test is of a new 1.4-litre T-GDi petrol engine model, likely to be the UK’s best seller ahead of two new 1.6-litre diesels. You can also go for a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol with 119bhp, which powers the entry-level car that starts at £18,295 in 2 spec. Whatever happened to 1 spec we’ll never know, but we’re told that PCP prices will start at a little over £200 thanks to a decent deposit from you and a generous £1500 contribution from Kia.

Our 1.4 3 should cost a little over £20,500 – undercutting a less powerful Golf Match by over £1500. Kia won’t confirm prices or kit levels until nearer the August on sale date, but expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be standard with that touchscreen, while advanced stuff like autonomous driving features and fancy LED lights will be available, too. We’d be surprised if the Ceed didn’t outpunch the Golf on equipment.

But can it outpunch it on the road? The new engine is smooth and sprightly from a standstill and in gear, but perhaps most remarkable is how quiet it is – the first time you turn a wheel you’ll be surprised at the hush. A claimed average economy just the right side of 50mpg is welcome, too.