| Could estates be making a comeback? MPVs and | | | | underneath, dull grey roof and pillars), I liked the cee'd |
| SUVs have been taking a big chunk out of that | | | | SW and found it a practical, solid and smart medium |
| market in recent years. But companies like Kia think | | | | estate. Doors shut with a convincing thud and the |
| that trend may be in reverse gear. They point out | | | | soft-feel upper dash and doors are tactile. |
| that the lifestyle and leisure vehicles are becoming | | | | Comfortable seats have big, wide cushions and are |
| expensive to buy and run and have styling and design | | | | handily height adjustable, with a rotating wheel for |
| compromises. So Kia have plenty of confidence in | | | | accurate rake control. The dashboard is very low |
| their new cee'd SW - their first ever estate car. Not | | | | level and simply sorted for easy identification on the |
| only is it a practical and stylish newcomer, it also | | | | move but the bonnet slopes away so sharply that |
| comes with an industry-best seven-year or | | | | none of it can be seen when manoeuvring. The |
| 100,000-mile warranty - an unrivalled expression of | | | | speedo, flagged up at 20/40/60 marks, misses the |
| faith in the cars coming out of Zilina in Slovakia. The | | | | important 30mph and 70mph numbers but main |
| cee'd SW (I can never remember how to write it, | | | | displays are clear and readable on the move, despite |
| although I've learned to say it) has the same | | | | their quirky cut-off needles. The 1.6 petrol model I |
| wheelbase as the highly-acclaimed five-door | | | | tested does need a heavy right foot to pull the best |
| hatchback, and an identical front end. Even the rear | | | | out of it but it does eventually respond well with |
| doors are the same. But the body has been | | | | plenty of clout, even if it's a bit boomy at the top |
| stretched by 235mm and the SW is 10mm taller and | | | | end. A positive five-speed gearbox is solid and has an |
| has smart roof rails to set it apart. Kia have done a | | | | predictable, easy change, but a clonky action. Handling |
| clever thing by extending the tailgate into the rear | | | | is predictable but unremarkable and this isn't the sort |
| roofline, so that owners can stand closer to the car | | | | of car for a thrash around the lanes or to take out |
| when sorting luggage - the big cutaway area also | | | | just for the hell of it. Steering, in particular, is a little |
| gives excellent access for loading and unloading. The | | | | woolly and uninvolving. But the SW's sheer usefulness |
| load floor is also dead flat and at bumper level, so | | | | and solid value will win it many friends as estates |
| that luggage can simply be slid on or off and rear | | | | make a fresh attack on the leisure market. Factfile: * |
| seats fully rumble to create a truly horizontal | | | | Kia cee'd SW, prices from £12,995-£14,995. |
| platform. Kia blot their copybook slightly by providing | | | | * Made in state-of-the-art factory at Zilina in Slovakia |
| a rather naff pull-down boot strap - not terribly | | | | alongside acclaimed five-door hatchback cee'd. * |
| high-tech but practical, I suppose. The end product is | | | | Best-in-industry seven year/100,000-mile |
| that the SW model can hold almost 300 litres more | | | | bumper-to-bumper warranty. * Body stretched by |
| than its stablemate hatchback. And let's not forget | | | | 235mm compared with hatchback and 10mm taller, |
| the 55 litres of space in trays beneath the boot floor | | | | excluding roof rails. * Luggage capacity of 1,664 litres |
| - a handy touch. Kia also point out that the SW | | | | with seats folded flat. * Three 1.6-litre engines; one |
| version is only £700 more than the equivalent | | | | petrol and two turbodiesel. * Five-speed gearboxes |
| hatchback whereas rivals such as Ford Focus estate, | | | | as standard but four-speed automatic available with |
| Vauxhall Astra estate and Renault Megane Sport | | | | the petrol engine. * Estate model aimed |
| Tourer are about £970 more for the equivalent. | | | | predominantly as a fleet car. * Exceptionally stiff |
| Apart from a dingy interior (old fashioned black and | | | | bodyshell, aerodynamic shape. * Independent front |
| grey two-tone seat fabric, black dash with grey | | | | and rear suspension benefits ride and handling. |