2007 Kia Cee'd SR from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing whatsoever has gone wrong with the car, but it's too soon to tell if reliability will be a strong point, as I've only had the car for a few days (though I remain very confident).

I decided to upgrade to a Kia Cee'd after owning two Kia Picanto's (which are also reviewed on this site). I felt it was time to own a larger, more stylish car, so when the deal I got from Kia was just to good to turn down, I made the change. (so once again Kia keep me loyal and happy).

The Cee'd is an extremely well built, with a solid feel to everything about the car (from the front bumper, to the rear tail lights). The car oozes quality beyond some strong alternative models, such as the Honda Jazz and Vauxhall Astra etc. Even friends and family (who have paid thousands more for other makes) have all been really impressed by Kia's strong build quality.

The interior materials used, are solid and firm. There are no sharp edges, rough fixings or 'off putting' flaws in the finish - you can say it's almost flaw less.

Driving the car is equally a pleasure, being; comfortable, yet firm, with a relaxed and almost 'posh' feeling that you won't normally associate with a Kia. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm driving, what is 'stereo typed' as a budget manufacturer. Maybe it's time that peoples opinions changed?

I'm happy with with my purchase. Well done Kia.

I don't think you can compare a Kia car to a vauxhall or honda. Kia is a budget car manufacturer and the residual values will follow on to reflect this.

Personally I wouldn't want to be seen in any kia, hyundai or proton. The image alone of these manufacturers is enough to put me off!

The prime customer base that Kia will sadly never sell cars to; as 'branding' and 'image' is obviously to important.

Personally speaking, I'd rather spend thousands less for a Kia, than drive in a clone car amongst the other 'silver sheep' on the road. I've never lost money on Kia's, and in fact quite the opposite. On my last car change, the outlay was £2800 (the balance to change cars), yet on sale of the same car, I banked £4,100 cash (is that such a loss?).

Equally on the previous change, I resulted in what I can only say was a fantastic deal from Kia. In whole, I love driving my £9,500 Cee'd with ESP stability control, 6 airbags, all round discs, alloys and the full spec (plus I didn't pay out £14,000 for a similar car). Oh, and smile with my 7 year warranty, when others only get just the 3 years.

Well I once had the misfortune of a Kia car as a hire car, and it soon became apparent other drivers were pulling in front of me and cutting me up. Other drivers on the road have no respect or time for Kia drivers, this much was apparent to me.

Kia specifications are never anything to write home about, they are not a technologically advanced or innovative company. And judging by american reports on Hyundia and Kia powertrain warranties, there is little actually covered by the "7 year warranty"

Kia, Hyundai and Proton cars have a built up an unenviable reputation for poor occupant safety in crash testing.

Well, I too I'm considering a KIA.

I live in Cyprus and the car here has too many going for it (5 stars Euro-ncap, 7 years warranty, 4 disc brakes, multilink suspension and a very powerful 1.4 engine to name a few) compared with all other cars in the category. And the price? 12000 Euros.

To get the next cheapest car after this with all the above, you need at least 16000 Euros.

And none of the other manufacturers offer 7 years warranty; 5 years is tops.

The other car I am considering is a Mazda 2; it has almost all the above but it's one category smaller...

I like your thinking. I too was torn between the Mazda 2 and the Cee'd. (I like the Mazda 2 a great deal and it's a nice all round car), but the Cee'd won for being a larger car, which suits my needs of extra space for passengers. Also, just to make note on previous comments about poor safety. The safety rating on the Cee'd is indeed a 5 star euro ncap rated car (which I'm sure is the highest score awarded for passenger vehicles).

I don't know how anybody can consider a Mazda against a Kia. The two manufacturers are at opposite ends of the spectrum. I feel certain 95% of people would go for a Mazda in the blink of an eye.

Kia's track record of safety in cars is abysmal, take a look at the results of Kia Rio, Cerato, Picanto, Magentis, Shuma. Practically every other car in their range. They range between 1- 3 stars, mainly 2 stars (some of these results are US tests).

I would not trust my safety or that of my family to a Kia car.

I "studied" all 1400cc cars.

Kia Cee'd and Hyundai i30 : 109 HP (others cars less)

Kia Cee'd gives 7 year guarantee (this is impressive)

Kia Cee'd was given 5 of 5 stars on safety crash

Kia Cee'd has the best price-equipment ratio

Kia Cee'd is the best car at 1400cc for the moment.

Simple as that. second best is Toyota Auris.

I would like to see 1400cc automatic transmission.

I like Pro-Cee'd (3door) design better than Cee'd (5door).

I wait to see Eco-Cee'd with lower fuel consumption, and ex-Cee'd (but I would like it with hard roof, not cloth).

I also liked new Mazda2, but the Cee'd is bigger and has better quality. The Mazda2 seems like a smaller category, but is also a very good car.

Greetings from greece (Kia Cee'd was voted "Car of the year 2008" here in Greece)

I don't think its fair to judge a car simply on the brand. The Cee'd can't be that bad or Kia wouldn't be able to afford to give 7 year warranties or to sell them so cheap. I don't own one and probably never will, but certainly wouldn't write them off as rubbish without having ever looked or driven in one. Similarly it is not right to assume Mazda cars are all reliable, they may be - I don't know, but unless you have driven all the models in the range and heard customer feedback its not possible to judge.

It surprises me how many people on this site complain about Volkswagens being unreliable. Just an example of a company with an excellent name with disgruntled customers.

14:15.

Informed decisions on the reliabilty of cars can be made on the basis of JD Power surveys. Have you heard of these? If not, read them and read up on KIA over the last 10 years. Read up on Mazda. Compare and contrast the two.

Kia have invested a billion euros in a brand new factory to build the Cee'd. Auto Express have been there to build one and drove it back to England and have kept it as a long term test car. To date nothing has gone wrong with it and they are very impressed with its build quality.

In the past Kia have produced some iffy cars, but judging by the Cee'd, they have finally started producing cars worth considering. A badge means nothing unless you are vain. I wouldn't hesitate to own a Kia over any of the other mainstream rivals.

All cars can go wrong - fact. The seven year warranty is excellent. The WHOLE CAR is covered for 5 years/100,000 miles, whilst the engine and gearbox are covered for 7 years/100,000 miles. I have read countless reviews on the Cee'd and I can't find a bad one, apart from some saying it lacks excitement, etc.

At the end of the day, it is a real contender against the astra/civic/focus etc. Unless people give brands like Kia a chance, they will never succeed (pardon the pun). Instead of comments like Kia are not comparable to brand x etc, do some research. I own a Vauxhall and believe me they have there fair share of problems. Even Japanese and German stuff goes wrong. Kia isn't trying to compete with a Golf or an A3 or a 1 Series. It is competing with Astra/Focus etc, and for the money there is no reason not to consider a Kia Cee'd, unless you're a badge snob.

To Mr/Mrs 8th Apr 2008, 12:44.

I am well aware of these surveys, but you haven't really understood the point being made. Each model is different and you are not being fair to judge the Cee'd purely on the back of its badge, informed decision or not. Otherwise car reviewers wouldn't even bother testing cars, they would just give reviews of makes of cars.

It would be totally unfair for example to compare the Mazda RX8 to the Cee'd; one is a sports car the other isn't, but if we did it wouldn't make Mazda seem the more reliable manufacturer, just take a look at the sort of complaints that car receives for poor reliability DESPITE THE MAZDA BADGE.

If you know you would never even look at one of these cars, let alone have tested one, then please don't fill reviews like this one with Kia slurs. If somebody is reading to buy one of these cars, then they already know that Kia's have stigma attached to them. They want actual opinions, not 'informed opinions' which roughly equate to "it's a Kia so don't expect a lot"

No car can meet the criteria and expectations of every individual. "Bang for buck", the Kia Ceed takes some beating. As for its realiability, the test of time will tell, but with a five/seven year warranty, it's a good bet. I am waiting to take delivery of one.

I remember the remarks made about "Dasun Cogs" and "Honda Dream... ons" when the cars and bikes first came to our roads. So what has changed???

18/6/08 update. Took delivery of KIA Cee'd Diesel SW LS. Unlike my previous problematic Renault Megane delivery, the process was superb with minor reservations.

Where is the "Telescopic Steering Wheel" specified under Comfort?? The sales guy said he didn't know and the service guy said there was none!! Which Cee'd is it on I wondered??? The poor guy was also embarrassed, when I told him that the fuel filler was on the passenger side whilst the brochure showed it on the drivers side.

Lovely car to drive, albeit grandson quote "bumpy car grandpa". Take note KIA, of this innocent unbiased comment.

As for the Car Manual,... a readers maze.

Your vehicles are value for money KIA, but customer user comfort levels and your attention to details are important if you want returns.

Yes, fair enough, but find a better car for the money!

KIA CEED vs MAZDA vs SEAT IBIZA 2008 NEW MODEL.

First things first, Kia has great financial plan (future investments). What you pay is for design these days in new cars, and I hate that; people are falling for design not road quality test to sell as much cars with that 7 year warranty (7 years in service).

I have 2 friends who bought the Cee'd, and for about 2 months he said everything is shaking in it.

The Kia Cee'd is great looking car, it almost deceived me to buy it, but I had second thoughts, and I was right, the Cee'd is roomy car, with lot of gear, but one thing that is terrible with this car are the gears and shifting, it is a disaster for new car.

Second thing; the suspensions is crap, the Cee'd and Pro Cee'd are good on nice roads, but when on some bumpy roads it is crap. My volvo 1995 drives better, and has greater gears and shifting...

So the Mazda 2 is great car, great build, great smooth shifting, superb engine and it won 2005/2008 best quality brand for their cars.

Small is better, and new Seat Ibiza, which I drove, is a great car with great suspension, and a brilliant precise steering wheel, which is by far the best in its class in my opinion.

Best small car for me as far as build quality, price is Mazda 2, second the new Seat Ibiza, third the Skoda Fabia.

This is my opinion.