Kia's Cee'd not all music to the ears

Kia's rise in the motor industry has given rise to interesting comment over the years.

But, at times, the Korean brand got it completely wrong and introduced duds.

One such dud was the Magentis - a Merc wannabe laced with horrific materials and powered by asthmatic engines. But among the ugly ducklings there was a swan or two, such as the Carnival and Picanto, which gave signs of better things to come.

These days Kia is proudly on the shopping lists of many South Africans, thanks to impressive offerings such as the new Kia Rio and Picanto.

One of the cars it developed along its way to stardom was the Pro Cee'd. Touted as a reasonably priced car at a world famous motoring show, this surely wasn't the case when the car arrived on our shores.

It boasted VW Golf-sized dimensions, Golf-beating specifications that included standard fitment of a USB, iPod, electrically adjustable leather seats, as well as a price-tage designed to leave a Golf-sized hole in the wallet.

Nothing was really wrong with this car. It looked good, more especially in three-door coupé shape, whiched fitted the profile for a younger buyer who wanted German spec at a reasonable price.

It was also available as a more practical five-door which was also not too shabby and targeted families, offering a more professional and mature image to buyers.

The drive, too, was exceptional by Kia standards, the suspension giving off a softish feel that translated into good comfort levels on the road.

If you decided on the five-door then the next bit wouldn't have bothered you - not that much anyway. The three-door shape denoted sportiness but that was where the perfect bubble of the Pro Cee'd started going pear-shaped.

It begins with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that's mated to a manual gearbox, which, when driven in a civil manner proves adequate.

But there's evidence that it isn't that superior, with a distinct lack of sufficient torque for effortless take-offs. There isn't much torque anywhere else, really.

This power deficit means that, every time you come across an incline, you'll be forced to change to a lower gear to maintain cruising speed. This is very un-German-like.

In the three-door - where it's expected that you'll regularly undertake frisky driving - the engine's lack of firepower will disappoint first, then the pliant suspension will be next as you approach bends and the soft ride transforms into hellish bounciness.

Approach a corner too fast, steer in, and you will be met by chronic l understeer. Ease off the throttle and the nose-diving lets up a bit, but not altogether.

Hopefully when this happens there won't be a blue Telkom box that jumps in front of you. Overall, it's not a sporty drive but a fairly good buy.

However, I'd rather a VW Golf instead. Expect to pay between R160000 and R200000.