KIA PROCEED TESTED 7.2.19, SURREY ON SALE NOW PRICE £28,685
KIA PROCEED Sophistication and honed dynamics were Kia’s aim. Targets hit?
Hold on a second: has someone over at Kia popped a picture of a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo on a photocopier and hit‘reduce’?
Because of these eyes, this new Kia Proceed bears more than a slight resemblance to Stuttgart’s four-door bruiser, not that I'm complaining
I think the Kia Proceed looks absolutely fantastic. Kia has been keen to give the Proceed a more sophisticated, dynamic edge over its siblings, though, so its suspension configuration differs from that of the hatch and estate.
While it maintains the same MacPherson strut set-up at the front, its swooping backside and 594-litre boot are now suspended by a multi-link arrangement, as opposed to double wishbones.
The engine line-up has been trimmed, too, and comprises 138bhp and 201bhp four-cylinder petrol and a sole 134bhp diesel. Our test car came with the 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol motor, which directs its 179lb ft to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Kia Ceed is certainly not the most athletic engine in the world, or the most endearing, which is a pity considering thattheKia’s stance – particularly in profile – conjures hope that it might be.
There’s little in the way of straight-line performance to be found here and revving the engine out to its 6400rpm limit isn't a rewarding endeavour.
But it's not all bad. At town speeds, it’s refined and unobtrusive and the way it hooks up with the dual-clutch gearbox to deploy its power to the road when moving away from a standstill is impressive.
It’s certainly smoother than those I’ve come across Volkswagen Group products, and it makes the auto ’box in the latest Ford Focus look particularly unrefined.
The car handles nicely, too when it enters on Road. There’s plenty of grip at the front end and body roll is deftly contained.
It’s a pity the steering isn’t quite as enjoyable as the chassis, though: you get the sense that weight has simply been added to compensate for a lack of feel. Still, at £28,685, this 138bhp 1.4-litre Proceed GT-Line S is still a well-equipped and enjoyable enough car to point down abroad. With the additional muscle provided by the range-topping 201bhp 1.6-litre motor, though, I think it could be properly fun indeed.
Simon Davis
@smiondavisnz
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| The all-new Kia Proceed GT |
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| Specification |
While it maintains the same MacPherson strut set-up at the front, its swooping backside and 594-litre boot are now suspended by a multi-link arrangement, as opposed to double wishbones.
The engine line-up has been trimmed, too, and comprises 138bhp and 201bhp four-cylinder petrol and a sole 134bhp diesel. Our test car came with the 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol motor, which directs its 179lb ft to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
 |
| Kia Proceed GT |
Kia Ceed is certainly not the most athletic engine in the world, or the most endearing, which is a pity considering thattheKia’s stance – particularly in profile – conjures hope that it might be.
There’s little in the way of straight-line performance to be found here and revving the engine out to its 6400rpm limit isn't a rewarding endeavour.
 |
| Kia Proceed Interior |
It’s certainly smoother than those I’ve come across Volkswagen Group products, and it makes the auto ’box in the latest Ford Focus look particularly unrefined.
The car handles nicely, too when it enters on Road. There’s plenty of grip at the front end and body roll is deftly contained.
 |
| Kia Proceed GT |
Simon Davis
@smiondavisnz
