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During our lengthy search for a car to replace the Pulsar 1.6 DIG-T the Pro-Ceed 1.6 GT seemed to tick all the boxes. It had similar power to the the Pulsar and was standard auto with an electric handbrake, 3 of our essential features.
Interior space was good for people and luggage space was more than we actually needed. Regarding the Ceed Wagon being better that only applied if you needed to a carry big square box, space up to the luggage cover was virtually identical in both cars.
Then there was the dealer, a one site privately owned company with a sound reputation. About a 10 minute walk from home thus no issues with alternative transport for services etc. One person I know was stunned when they replaced his A/C condenser under warranty after a stone had holed it, he expected a large bill.
But it failed for us on 2 issues. First was mpg, our Pulsar was no eco warrior but its 35 mpg was better than the HJ Real figure for the Pro Ceed and the owner experiences on the Kia forum confirmed this. Then there was the spare wheel. There was a well under the carpet for a space saver spare but the dealer said there was no option for one on the GT. I asked on the Forum and was told it was the fact that the front brakes were too large for a space saver to fit. But one owner said he had been sold a kit by his dealer and he accepted if he had a front puncture it would mean putting the spare on the rear and the good rear on the front, more work but as he pointed out space savers should be fitted on the rear. Asked our local dealer and he said that for H & S reasons they could not sell me one since if I was injured changing 2 wheels instead instead of 1 I would be in a position to claim damages.
Sent an e-mail query to Kia Customer Services but never received a reply. their loss, my gain, the Octavia definitely suits us better.
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