KIA CEED test drive since 2009 hatchback

Coreurpan. Released Kia See’d Test

CEED in the arsenal KIA appeared at the end of 2006. For Koreans, this project is a sign. CEED machine created according to European canons for Europeans in the German design center KIA in Frankfurt. Breakthrough car: advanced technique, harmonious silhouette, clean surfaces, noble lines ... SEED is built on the platform created from zero, which he shares with the twin Hyundai i30.

Our model began to be sold in the spring of 2007. Moreover, at first, cars came to us, completely assembled at the company's factory in Slovakia. A little later, seats assembled from the Slovak machine tools on the Kaliningrad Automobile Training began to be sold in Russia. And this spring, restyled cars that appeared in Europe last spring began to go off the assembly line.


SEED is now proposed in twelve colors

Your humble servant is the owner of the Kia Ceed car. Yes, not one, but as many as two. At my disposal of the 2009 dorestyling hatchback and the restyled station wagon of this year. Both with a 1.6-liter 122-horsepower engine. The transmission is different, a hatch with a mechanical box, a station wagon with a four -speed hydrotransformer automatic machine. The first was bought for me, the second for country parents. The editorial office of a test drive was a blue restyled 1.6-liter five-door on mechanics (she posed during a photo shoot). So the metamorphoses that occurred with the car during its update, I managed to feel to the very depths.

So, appearance. Everything is clear here, a standard soup set. According to the law of the genre, muzzle, bumpers, back optics changed. And if earlier the averaged-European appearance of the Korean did not cause any special emotions, now Ceed just dares a look. A tribute to the radiator grilled tribute to the center, which appeared on the cars of the lineup of Kia with the advent of Peter Shreyer. The searchlight optics was replaced by projector (lens) light, it improved radically, although it is not bad on a pre -restyling machine. The same with fog lights. The back optics now simulates the LED.

KIA CEED is the first Korean car to receive a five-star rating in crash tests conducted by EURONCAP. In any configuration, six pillows and active head restraints (except for the simplest performance of Classic for 526,000 rubles here only a couple of front pillows). The relatively low cost at the level close to European analogues is the main argument that I was guided by the purchase of sidov.

In French, sensitive brakes of many at first from the habit forced to peck with his nose. But on the other hand, there is no information and effectiveness. The main thing is to remember and know the measure. Otherwise, your food can easily become a pierce for rotozes. There are no problems with slowdown from high speeds. The anti -lock system is quite adequate, although with extreme braking with a working ABS car, a car behind the wheel in the rearrangement follows with some delay.

I go from the asphalt with the wheels of the right side on the wet side of the road to the brake! Bitter ABS! The car significantly drags towards the coating with the best clutch. ABS is configured for maximum slowdown to the detriment of maintaining the course, just like on supercars! To move straight, led should be compensated by turning the steering wheel. It is not very cool for inexperienced drivers. But if you are fully equipped, for you this behavior only plus extra centimeters with emergency braking at the mixture will not interfere.

Track control and the contrasting system (completely disconnected) are equipped with Luxe and higher configurations. It is a pity that electronics can fight only drifts. But the car loves to slip out the turn precisely with the front wheels! In order for CEED to go into skids, it needs to be openly provoked by this ABS is taught by one very useful thing. You will not roll back (well, or forward, depending on the direction of movement and slope) at the start to the mountain. In the brake system, after you released the pedal, the pressure is held for another two seconds. This is enough to calmly move. As soon as the electronics understands that the clutch is closed and the car is guaranteed to touch, the wheels are automatically terminated. Beginners will be especially appreciated!

If the steering wheel was clamped on the prerestyling version, and the feedback effort was too artificial, now the situation is significantly better. The steering has become more transparent, and the suspension of the background effort synthesized by the electric power improviser has become incomparably smaller. The CEED management is now very reminiscent of a relative of the Hyundai i30.


The steering wheel on the restyled machine is new. Instead of three knitting needles, there were changed music control instead of the keys, this is not better, but no worse. The main new steering wheel has become more seized, previously smooth skin is replaced by the skin with a more rough and tenacious texture. Over the knitting needles on the rim there were formations and tides for the hands. The steering wheel switches are new

The developers talk about a radical improvement in acoustic comfort subjectively on the restyled noise machine less than not much. The engine is almost inaudible. The first and second violins in the orchestra suspension and tires. Quietly in the cabin, it became largely due to the fact that the suspension on the restyled machine is softer, therefore, it drums less on the body. Cams on the arches are knocking with the same volume as before.

On the road, the updated CEED became a little more comfortable and less assembled if earlier the suspension literally hollowed the body, counting the seams and joints, and the lower back was broken by the end of the day, now everything is different. In corners, due to a more supple suspension, the body is more willing to be more willing to cross the CEED with a sharp stop and strives to cross the side a couple of times by inertia. But there are fewer scrubs, in the bend on irregularities from the trajectory, the car jumps much less willingly new characteristics of compression-excavation allowing the wheels allow the wheels to track the profile of the road in more detail. In general, threshold was added.

Earlier in Russia there were diesel versions. Now the engines with which CEED is supplied to us, only gasoline 1.4 (109 hp, 137 nm), 1.6 (122 hp, 154 nm) and 2.0 (143 hp, 186 nm). The latter returned to our market with the restyling of the model (previously the supply of such cars forced to turn the crisis). Motors, except 1.4, are available with five -speed mechanics and with a four -speed hydrotransformer automatic machine. The engines are very advanced. The dynamics are not overwhelming, but thanks to the system of changes in the phases of gas distribution and the intake manifold with variable geometry, the appetite of SID is bad. The version with a 1.6 engine in mixed mode eats about 8.5-9 liters per hundred kilometers. General feature for all engines deficiency of thrust at low and medium speeds. To drive a dynamically engine, you need to twist. Motors respond to pedaling with Euro-4 laziness, what did you want? Versions with mechanics, of course, are more dynamic and more economical, but the work of a hydrotransformer machine with long gears pleases to shift soft and without much delays when moving down.


On the wall of the niche for trifles under the central console, a 12-volt outlet and AUX and USB connectors. The designations of the latter are now highlighted conveniently and pleasant, damn it! The dashboard, the central console, the gearbox lever and plastic inserts in the doors are new. The audio system on the updated car sounds much better

The soft thickness of the corrugated plastic of the front panel and doors (even on European analogues you will not often meet) is definitely a plus. Design and quality of execution a la Europe. The old tidy received a new sound became tastier and more stylish. The on -board computer display from the center moved to the dashboard logically. Climate control is now two-zone! And how many pleasant trifles are there: AUX-Audit, a USB port, cooled/heated glove, central box with a double bottom, four cup holders, an eye, pockets in all doors ... Automatic refinement mode (Toyota, where are you? )! Automatic control of light and wipers. Heating of the front seats. Already in the middle trim levels, the rear -view mirrors with electric and heating are available, which turns on along with heating the parking lots and rear window parking zone. In general, the machine is ready for our conditions
Active head restraints are used more and more often. When hitting from the back, the headrest shoots in advance to meet the back of the head and begins to catch it in the early stages the blow, then following with the head back. That is, the impact pulse is stretched over time. The peak load on the head and neck is thereby significantly reduced. The CEED headrest is given using a special lever mechanism, it is worth pressing the lower back with a certain threshold effort in the lower part of the back. I managed to activate the headrest a couple of times, abruptly trampling the brake pedal. At the same time, I confess, I was very decently rested with my back with my lower back. The headrest rises in place on its own

The salon is significantly more spacious than that of the sworn competitor of Ford focus. The pedal knot is freer. The clutch is light and informative, the gearbox lever is like a gun shutter. The only thing I (height under 190 cm) is not enough is the size of the range of adjustment of the steering column in height. Strong seats adjusted in vertical with a lumbar subpoor is not an example of ergonomicity, they can fit well only those who boast of a very dense or even fat physique. Once in the back seat, you do not feel a lack of centimeters. Foot places with a margin. Above the crown and in the shoulders too. And in width, the salon is completely larger than that of all competitors! Three of even very dense passengers will sit at the back with comfort. Trunk with a double bottom and organizer, in the underground of the dok.

For 20 thousand runs on my dorestyled hatche, the right rear electric winding was buggy, he refused to bring the glass up in automatic mode. The problem is eliminated simply, it is only necessary to hold the key in the extreme positions within half a minute. On the 15th thousand, the volume adjustment handle stopped working. Although this did not deliver special trouble to me on the steering wheel. The head structure of the audio system was replaced by warranty. Moreover, a new component had to wait only a week and a half.

In winter, after abundant snowfalls, the brushes began to be frozen and frozen, because in the extreme lower position they began to stop not in the heating zone, but a little higher. The reason is wet, tight snow. It is delayed and tamped between brushes and a difficultly eliminated plastic shield under them. This led to a slight increase in the backlash in the drive mechanism. The backlash compensated, rearranging the wiper brushes two slots below (you need to combine the tips of the brushes with control points on the windshield).

After that, there were no problems. The chassis, despite the relative complexity (in front of MacPherson, is a multi -link in the back), is very reliable. The only thing that announces the owners is the stabilizer racks that fail to about 60 thousand kilometers (although their resource is completely dependent on the quality of the roads along which you move).


In mid -June of this year, KIA announced the recall of about 56,000 CEED hatchbacks, equipped with a dynamic stabilization system. Over time, these cars may observe a decrease in the efficiency of brake force. Cars produced from April 1 to March 30 to March 30, 2009, as well as the machine assembled by the Kaliningrad car car, fell under the review. Service campaign declared unlimited

When you buy a CEED, in the first hundred kilometers you must definitely pay attention to the angles of installation of wheels. As a rule, after the silent blocks, piercing, sits in their places, either side lead appears, or the steering wheel is slightly unfolded relative to the zero position. The angles calibration procedure dealers do 800 kilometers for free. If you missed the moment, the floating corners will have to be returned at their own expense and this is 2000 rubles.

What's in the dry residue? An excellent level of security, a five -year warranty, or 150,000 km (for some suspension elements 30,000 km). A considerable clearance of 150 mm. Not the most painful, but economical motors. Wonderful staffing with various auxiliary options. Then once every 15,000 kilometers, humane service prices. The price of the issue in the range is 525 900 725 900 rubles. Against the background of German and Japanese competitors, it looks good, given that CEED in design, technology and equipment is a nostril in a nostril with the best representatives of the class. Kia rushed and will catch up with everyone soon, look at least at the new products presented at the Moscow Auto Show The guys work!

Competitors
In class C according to European classification, the competition is cruel, everyone knows this very well. Who can be called the main opponent of KIA SEED? First, recall how much this car costs. The price for the model starts with 525 900 rubles. Moreover, for this money there will be a car with air conditioning, two pillows and ABS. 1.4 liter engine, but with a capacity of 109 hp. A version with an unit with a volume of 1.6 liters (122 hp) with six pillows, music, an electric packet is 605,900 rubles. KIA SEED 1.6 with automatic transmission costs 635 900 rubles. Prices for 2.0-liter cars with rich equipment start from the mark of 675 900 rubles.
 
The main opponent of Kia SEED in our market is, of course, Ford Focus. This car is in the back of a 5-door hatchback with a 100-horsepower engine (1.6 l) costs 574,400 rubles. True, now there is a discount of 25,000 rubles. Ford equipment in the Comfort version is very reminiscent of the basic SEED. But then Focus with automatic transmission is cheaper from 612,400 rubles, and taking into account the discount and in general from 587,400 rubles. The motor, however, is the same, with a capacity of 100 hp, and the equipment is poorer than that of the automatic sed.

Hyundai i30, which is built on the same platform as SEED, is sold in Russia for at least 565,900 rubles. The motor here is the same as the SEED (1.4 liters. 109 hp), but the equipment is richer. In addition to the air conditioner, there are six pillows, electric drive and heating of mirrors, a radio with four speakers with control on the steering wheel (SEED has two pillows and only audio training). Automatic Hyundai i30 with a 1.6 liter engine is 628 900 rubles.

The Peugeot 308 collected in Russia is more expensive. Hatchback from the version of the Russian Pack is sold for 599,000 rubles. Although the equipment here is quite decent. There is not only a standard air conditioner for this segment, but also heating the front seats and external mirrors, fog -tanks, crankcase protection, music with six speakers, four pillows. Yes, and the engine of the Peugeot with a volume of 1.6 and a capacity of 120 hp. PEUGEOT 308 with a machine gun costs from 636,000 rubles. Moreover, in Russia you can buy diesel PEUGEOT 308. 110-horsepower cars cost 692,500 rubles. (Premium equipment), and 136-horsepower 831 700 rubles. (maximum Premium Pack).

Another Frenchman with the Russian registration of Citroen C4 is now sold with 558,000 rubles. (This is already taking into account the current discount). There are pillows, air conditioning, an electric package, but there is no music. And Citroen C4 with automatic transmission can be bought for 595,000 rubles.

The new generation Opel Astra (it is also done in Russia) in the basic configuration of Essentia costs 569,900 rubles. (engine 1.4 liters, 100 hp), and the version with the automatic transmission is estimated at 635 900 rubles. (motor is already 1.6 liters, 115 hp). The equipment of such a machine includes an electric package, ABS, four pillows and even a contrasting system. But they ask to pay for the air conditioner.
 




Vitaly Kabyshev
Photo by the author
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru