Kia Pro_Cee’d GT Line 1.0 T-GDi review:

What is it?

The face-lifted, sportier three-door version of Kia’s Focus and Volkswagen Golf rival. On top of slight visual tweaks, the GT Line is an all-new sportier trim and there’s a brand new business-friendly, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol turbo engine to power this Pro_Cee’d.

What’s hot?

• The new three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbo engine available in 99bhp and the 118bhp version we’re driving here. For a three-pot, the refinement is impressive, feeling smooth and torquey with the charismatic engine note well hushed around town. Out of town and when you’re working this engine harder, the only difference is that the charismatic three-cylinder thrum becomes more obvious. This engine is also well-matched to a slick six-speed manual gearbox. Top speed is 118mph, 60mph comes up in 10.7 seconds, the average economy is 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions are just 115g/km. This takes this Pro_Cee’d into the competitive 18% tax band.
• As the name GT Line suggests, this new trim pays homage to Kia’s sportiest Cee’d GT models and while you might not get the performance, our test car looked virtually the same as the more powerful three-door version of the range-topper. This included the deeper front airdam with its distinctive four ice cube-like driving lights. Only the smaller 17-inch alloys and GT Line badge on the boot give the game away.
• The sporty exterior style is continued on the inside of the Pro_Cee’d GT Line, with the cloth-trimmed supportive sports seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, plus special alloy pedals with rubber inserts, all for a very reasonable £19,720 on the road. Build quality isn’t quite up to rivals, but every new Kia model seems to be better screwed together and this Pro_Cee’d feels built to last.

• The Pro_Cee’d might just be a three-door, but the big doors means it’s relatively easy to get in and out of whether you’re in the front or back of this Kia. The large hatchback boot has a high loading lip, but is practically-shaped and boasts the same 380 litres as the standard hatch.
• We tried a pre-facelift Cee’d Sportswagon diesel earlier this summer on a foreign trip and while we liked the car a lot, the navigation system was slow to operate and took us on the longest route back to the Euro Tunnel – so long in fact, that we missed our train! Well, Kia has listened and this time round, they’ve worked with Tom Tom to produce a navigation system that solves these problems. We’ve yet to try it properly, but the maps are certainly easier to read.

What’s not?

• The Pro_Cee’d in GT-Line trim might look the part, but this Kia is a bit of sheep in wolf’s clothing when you hit the road. The stiffer suspension and 17-inch wheels mean it handles well enough. The only downsides are that despite three modes, the Pro_Cee’d’s steering lacks the precision of key rivals such as the Focus, taking away much of the fun that’s to be had. Plus, the wheels and suspension make this Pro_Cee’d’s ride feel unsettled on most road surfaces equalling an uncomfortable ride.

Verdict on the Kia Pro_Cee’d GT Line 1.0 T-GDi

We’ve always liked the Pro_Ceed’s make up of smart looks, affordable pricing and well-equipped and spacious interior, together with the reassurance of that seven-year warranty. But, as an SME Company car choice, the Kia was previously hard to recommend. Why? Well, it’s because of the uncompetitive CO2 figures from the previous range of petrol and diesel engines.

With the more competitive 18% tax band of the spirited new 1.0-litre ecoTurbo three-cylinder petrol engine, plus the £19,720 list price of our GT-Line test car, we reckon this Pro_Cee’d could really appeal to the lower mileage SME Company car buyer.

However, the unsettled, uncomfortable ride might make the standard 99bhp version a better long-term option.

The Low Down for the Kia Pro_Cee’d GT Line 1.0 T-GDi

And what it costs…