What’s not?

• Tweaks to the chassis and suspension mean the Cee’d handles well enough, but despite three modes for the steering, it’s nowhere near as keen and involving as rivals such as the Focus.
• The steering wheel-mounted paddles are chunky, but feel a bit cheap and aren’t in the most comfortable position.

Verdict on Kia Cee’d 4 1.6 CRDi Auto DCT ISG

We already liked the Cee’d’s combination of smart looks, affordable pricing and well-equipped and spacious interior, plus the reassurance of that seven-year warranty. However, as an SME Company car choice, this Kia was hard to recommend. Why? Well, compared to rivals, the Cee’d’s CO2 figures were uncompetitive.

With the more competitive 19% tax band of the new 1.6-litre GDI four-cylinder diesel engine, mated with the slick-seven speed auto, this could make the Cee’d really appeal to SME Company car buyers who don’t want to change their own gears.

However, is it good enough to topple the other big business favourite – the Focus hatch in 1.5 TDCi Powershift auto form?

The Titanium X trim, is probably this car’s closest rival. The Cee’d gets off to a good start by being over £800 cheaper on its P11D, but matches its 109g/km CO2 emissions and 19% company car tax.

But that’s not the end of the story: because the Kia Cee’d has a lower P11D value and its overall benefit in kind beats the Focus: for a company car driver in the 20% tax band the saving is £31 a month – double that if you’re on the higher 40% rate.