Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013) Review
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Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013) At A Glance
More 'sporty' three-door version of the Cee'd. Excellent chain cam 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines. Seven year warranty. Facelifted in 2011 with sharper look.
Rear vision not great for reversing. Easy but not exciting to drive.
‘Three' is a very popular lucky number for many people, myself included, but will it be a lucky number for Kia as it launches its third and possibly finally variant to compliment the cee'd and cee'd SW?
Well, initially I thought, why another? But this new three-door pro_cee'd fills a hole in the Kia clan as it is very sporty looking number that should appeal to customers who have so far dismissed the Kia brand as unsuitable for their needs. Not only that, the pro_cee'd is the only three-door in Europe (it's being built at Zilina in Slovakia) to come with Kia's unprecedented seven year, 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, and has stunning looks and severe road presence that will surely appeal to young couples craving street cred as well as older couples whose children may have flown the nest.
You see, what the Korean designers have done that many other manufacturers have not when producing a three-door, is to build it as a completely different car from the five-door. They have increased the overall length by 15mm and reduced the height by 30mm, resulting in a low elongated, coupe-like stance, further accentuated by the 245mm longer side doors and of course the compulsory sporty rooftop spoiler. Add eye-catching solid colours of either red, white or blue along with the standard 16" alloy wheels (17" on pro_cee'd 3 and Sport), and this car will surly send rivals like VW Golf and Peugeot 308 scuttling back to the drawing board.
Reviews for Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013)'s top 3 rivals
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Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.4 to 2.0 CRDi
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 34–66 mpg
Buyers can choose between the 1.6 litre petrol, two 1.6 litre diesels all three with a five-speed manual gearboxes, while for the Sport trim, Kia's strong torquey 2.0 litre common-rail turbodiesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual. A four-speed automatic is available as an option with the 1.6 litre petrol engine, while the 1.4 litre petrol engine will join its brothers later this year.
What about its driving attributes? Istanbul was chosen for the UK launch epitomising old for new, East meets West, and we started off in the 1.6 litre 16-valve twin chain-cam petrol engine specially developed for the cee'd family. Featuring performance-enhancing continuously variable valve timing and multipoint fuel injection. it develops 124bhp at 6300 rpm and 154Nm at 4200 rpm.
Pretty impressive off the mark, which was an essential ingredient driving in Istanbul, I felt re-assured that this car would get me out of trouble if needed and started to embrace the ride and handling that turned out to be exquisite thanks to the comparative rarity of fully independent suspension all round. The five-speed manual gearbox did the job, while the electronic power steering guided me in an out of the tiniest gaps with ease. But then I was safe in the grip of the powerful all-disc brakes that produced some blinding emergency stops, much needed as yet another Turkish driver attempted to cut me up.
Swooping over into the 1.6 litre turbodiesel (also chain cam) with optional 113bhp over the standard 89bhp and the extra torque was extremely apparent and equally re-assuring as I got to grips with the Turkish way of driving. This engine claims a top speed of 117 mph, but we squashed that theory on some deserted Turkish roads found by chance, and I am sure it took less than 11.1 seconds to reach 60mph. This has got to be one of the sweetest diesel engines I have ever driven and the only slight flaw is that it could have done with a sixth gear.
So would the 2.0 litre belt-cam turbo diesel send me into ripples of ecstasy? Well in theory, yes, producing 305Nm of torque all the way from 1,800 to 2,500, 9.8 seconds to 60mph. But, in fairness, I actually preferred the 1.6 diesel 113 as it felt firmer and more responsive, and what further swayed me was the remarkable 60.1 mpg on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions an abstemious 125g/km.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 49 mpg | - | 139 g/km |
| 1.6 | 44–46 mpg | 10.8 s | 146–152 g/km |
| 1.6 Automatic | 43 mpg | - | 158 g/km |
| 1.6 CRDi | 63 mpg | 13.5 s | 118–119 g/km |
| 1.6 CRDi EcoDynamics | 67 mpg | - | 103 g/km |
| 2.0 CRDi | 50 mpg | 10.1 s | 149 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
84%
Real MPG
34–66 mpg
MPGs submitted
66
Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013) interior
- Boot space is 340–1210 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4250 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2650 mm |
Despite being a three-door, accessing the pro_cee'd proved no problem, even for my larger than life co-driver, thanks to long doors with wide openings. Height adjustable drivers seat and leather height-adjustable steering wheel with remote audio controls are standard across the range, so finding the optimum driving position proved no problem either.
There is plenty of head, leg and elbow room for the front occupants without getting too intimate and even the rear, despite its lower roofline, can accommodate two adults under six feet tall. The luggage area offers a reasonable 340 litres of space which is enough for the tennis gear, but only 80kg of roof load capacity means the surfboard will have to stay at home.
Aiding and abetting the driver is air-conditioning with a cooled glove box, a fully integrated six-speaker RDS radio CD player with MP3 and iPod compatibility that was great in drowning out the cacophony of car horns as we navigated our way carefully around Istanbul. The pro_cee'd 3 gains climate control, cruise control and a ‘Sports Pack', while the pro_cee'd Sport boasts full leather trim, privacy glass, electric folding mirrors with blue tinted glass on the drivers side, follow-me-home headlamps and ESP with EBD.
The instrument dials are easy to read without taking eyes off the road longer than necessary and the whole ambiance of the pro_cee'd reeked of quality even to the materials used in the dashboard. The pro_cee'd really is a pleasing place to be.
Kia Pro_Cee'd (2008 – 2013) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4250 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2650 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1338–1499 kg |
| Boot Space | 340–1210 L |
| Warranty | 7 years |
| Servicing | 10000–20000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £12,745–£18,995 |
| Insurance Groups | 13–17 |
| Road Tax Bands | B–G |
| Official MPG | 42.8–67.3 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | 4 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until December 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1 1.4 3dr | £13,300 | 48.7 mpg | - |
| 2 1.6 Auto 3dr | £15,700 | 42.8 mpg | - |
| 2 1.6 CRDi (89bhp) 3dr | £15,795 | 67.3 mpg | - |
| 2 1.6 CRDi (114bhp) 3dr | £15,795 | 62.8 mpg | - |
| 3 1.6 CRDi (114bhp) 3dr | £17,195 | 62.8 mpg | - |
| 4 1.6 CRDi (126bhp) 3dr | £18,995 | 62.8 mpg | - |
On sale until September 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2 1.6 3dr | £14,595 | 46.3 mpg | - |
| 3 1.6 3dr | £15,995 | 44.8 mpg | - |
On sale until May 2009
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 2 3dr | £12,745 | 44.1 mpg | 10.8 s |
| 2.0 CRDi Sport 3dr | £15,945 | 50.4 mpg | 10.1 s |
On sale until April 2009
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 CRDi 2 3dr | £13,495 | 62.8 mpg | 13.5 s |
Model History
April 2008
Longer, lower, more sporty 3-door hatchback version of Cee'd, built at same plant at at Zilina in Slovakia. Prices from launch:
- pro_cee’d 1.4 petrol 104 2 £11,794
- pro_cee’d 1.6 petrol 124 2 £12,295
- pro_cee’d 1.6 diesel 89 2 £13,045
- pro_cee’d 1.6 petrol 124 3 £13,295
- pro-cee’d 1.6 petrol auto 124 3 £14,295
- pro_cee’d 1.6 diesel 113 3 £14,295
- pro_-cee’d 2.0 diesel 138 Sport £15,495
May 2008
In May 2008 a Kia pro cee'd drove from Milan to the Nürburgring, won its class in a 24-hour race, then drove back to Milan. Not only that, but the Kia Italy/Continental Tyres entered car suffered zero mechanical issues throughout the race and was exceptionally light on its feet, using only six 225/35 18-inch ContiSportContact production tyres for the whole event. The pro_cee'd started the race on the same road tyres which had already
completed around 900km on the trip from Milan.
The pro_cee'd was one of 217 cars to start the race. A total of 67 cars dropped out through accidents and mechanical failures, but the pro_cee'd ploughed on to make-up over 100 places from its starting position to finish 104th out of 150 survivors.
January 2010
New 7-Year Kia Warranty. No mileage limit to the warranty for the first three years, except for vehicles used as a Taxi, when coverage is limited to 100,000 miles. Over the full period of the warranty, the overall mileage limit is 100,000 miles. Qualifications to the new warranty include: paintwork is covered for
5 years (depending on model), audio for 3 years and 60,000 miles and service parts, accessories and batteries for 2 years. Normal 'wear & tear' on items such as tyres, brake pads and clutch linings, are excluded from cover.
August 2010
- Kia New Vehicle Warranty Terms & Exclusions:
- There is no mileage limit during the first 3 years, except for vehicles used as taxis where a limit of 100,000 miles applies.
- There is a 100,000 mile limit between years 4 and 7.
- Paintwork is covered for 5 years / 100,000 miles.
- Audio is covered for 3 years / 60,000 miles.
- Batteries are covered for 2 years.
- Normal 'wear and tear' on items such as brake linings and clutch linings, etc. are excluded from cover.
- The warranty is transferable, at no cost, to subsequent owners and is valid across Europe.
December 2010
Initially launched as a 1.4-litre petrol version in September, the VR-7 special edition is now available with Kia's economical 1.6 CRDi turbodiesel engine in both the cee'd and pro_cee'd family hatchbacks.
The VR-7 special edition adds a host of extra equipment, as well as offering a cost saving of up to £815, over the entry-level ‘1' trim 5-door model it is based upon. Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and reverse parking sensors add extra convenience whilst 16-inch alloy wheels and body-coded, heated and electrically operated door mirrors enhance the exterior looks. Inside, a 6-speaker CD/stereo, leather finish to the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever and ‘one-touch' electric front windows complete the list of additional equipment.
Powered by Kia's 1.6 CRDi engine, and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the VR-7 versions deliver 89bhp at 4,000rpm and peak torque of 173lb/ft from just 1,750rpm. The 0-60mph dash takes 13.5 seconds and a comfortable motorway cruise is ensured by a 107mph top speed. Emissions of 113g/km (VED band ‘C') and a combined cycle economy of 65.7mpg ensure low running costs.
The cee'd was the first vehicle from any Korean manufacturer to achieve a 5-star Euro NCAP rating when it was tested back in 2007 and the VR-7 has a comprehensive array of safety features. A Vehicle Stability Management System - Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Brake-Assist System (BAS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Hill-start Assist System (HAC) - serves to actively help prevent incidents.
The VR-7 1.6 CRDi pro_cee'd is priced at just £13,220 OTR and the VR-7 1.6 CRDi cee'd at £13,420 OTR (both prices include VAT at the new 20% rate). As with every new Kia, an industry-leading seven year warranty comes as standard. Ordering opens today across the UK Kia dealer network.
April 2011
Facelifted pro_cee'd ‘4' features new grille and a new higher output 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 126bhp @ 6,200rpm - 13bhp above the current engine. Top speed is 122mph and 0-60mph in just over 10 seconds.
The new pro_cee'd ‘4' comes on 17-inch alloy wheels and has black bezel headlights and privacy glass. The interior features full black leather upholstery combined with front heated seats and a leather trimmed steering wheel to add a luxurious feel. Cruise control is standard with controls on the steering wheel.
For the first time in the cee'd range, the new ‘4' grade adds, as standard, a fully integrated Sat-Nav system with a 7" full colour touch screen system. A variety of extra features includes a large selection of European maps, points-of-interest and multi-route planning.
The Bluetooth system can be operated through the touch screen with the ability to download mobile phone directories from up to eight mobile phones. An advanced reversing camera system offers a view of obstacles to the rear of the vehicle and is displayed though the Sat-Nav screen.
The new pro_cee'd 4 is available at £18,495 'on the road' and benefits from Kia's pioneering seven year, 100,000 miles, fully transferable manufacturers warranty.
What to watch out for
Complaint of rust appearing around the front screen trim of a 1 year old pro_cee'd 1.6 CRDI 4. Might be because the screen was replaced and the surface of the metal scratched.
26-07-2016:Report of bonnet catch of 2012 KIA pro_cee'd failing at speed and bonnet wrapping itself over roof causing sufficient damage to write off the car as uneconomical to repair. Bonnet catch was rusty so had nont been greased at services. Bonnet secondary retaining catch failed.
03-02-2017:September 2010 KIA Pro cee'd diesel taken to KIA dealer becaus eof excessive smoke in December 2015. Dealer kept the car for approximately five months, initially without a loan car, and returned the car fully repaired, so they claimed. With the engine starting to smoke badly again, owner tried another KIA dealer who had the car since August 2017. They returned the car allegedly "fully repaired" in early November 2017. Car taken back to dealer same day because of excessive engine noises. Dealer said had rebuilt the engine with a new top end but admitted had reused several worn parts including the original timing chain which was subsequently found to have stretched and was creating the excessive noises. Dealer still has the car.
