The Only Hot Hatchback I've Ever Considered Purchasing

"Road Magazine" (roadmag) 04/29/2014 at 09:54 • Filed to: Kia, Ceed GT

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I think you'll be surprised by the answer, but read on.

Nope, it's not the A45 AMG, M135i, RS3, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, 208 GTi, Clio RS, Megane RS, Leon Cupra or the Golf GTI.

It's a Kia. Precisely the pro_cee'd GT. I drove this car for a whole week and absolutely adored it. I've driven the M135i, A45 AMG, 208 GTi and even the new Golf GTi, but nothing seemed to excite or thrill me as much as the Kia. I know it sounds surprising but trust me, this is one well sorted car.

It's not so much of a hot hatchback though, it's a lot less powerful than some of its rivals but it combines everything so well, it excels and rises above its rivals in my opinion.

Too bad it isn't available in the US, I wish it was, you guys would love it! Here's a couple of pics I took of my time with it -

For the eagle eyed, the Renault Clio was a friends car and the RR Sport was a press vehicle I had at the time.

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PS9 > Road Magazine 04/28/2014 at 18:51

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Well shit, who pissed in your cornflakes this morning?!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Road Magazine 04/28/2014 at 19:05

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Ah, yet another unicorn.

I really wish automakers would bring everything to Canada as well (and vice versa!).

McLarry > Road Magazine 04/28/2014 at 19:52

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This was on Fifth Gear recently as the team test car, scored 34.5 out of 40 - not bad at all.

gabdere > Road Magazine 04/28/2014 at 20:23

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this. is. gorgeous.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Road Magazine 04/28/2014 at 20:29

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We get the drivetrain in the Forte Koup (a 1.6, 201hp turbo) but this looks waaaaaay better

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 02:11

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If hot hatches don't float your boat, go try one from the 80s and you'll realize why. It's been all downhill since then. 205GTi, R5 GT Turbo, Charade GTti, Golf, doesn't matter what, they were all brilliant by comparison with today's barges. Unless you wanted to live, of course....

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 09:58

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Just watched the Fifth Gear review of it last night, they seemed overwhelmingly complimentary. Doesn't seem like a bad package at all.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 10:10

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Not a big fan of the fog lights and headlights that wrap all the way around almost to the mirrors bothers me too. I'm more of a fan of the Focus ST.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 10:38

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As the previous owner of a 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring (aka: Kia Cee'd, aka: i30SW) I cannot for the life of me figure out why Hyundai/Kia don't offer an Elantra GTS with the 2.0T. The Elantra/Cee'd platform has SO MUCH untapped potential. They got an awful lot right with the engineering, now they just have to inject some fun. Even with stock power and nothing but wheels/tires and engine mounts the pissed off flat-bill bro-crossers in WRXs (they hated me at AX) speak volumes about how well sorted that chassis is.

Road Magazine > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 04/29/2014 at 10:51

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The sad truth is that Hyundai and Kia platforms have so much more potential to be exploited but the manufacturers just don't seem to bother. The Cee'd platform, again, is right up there with the Focus, and in GT form, it gets close to the handling characteristics of the Megane RS (tested by Fifth Gear). Here's to the Cee'd GTS!

NoahthePorscheGuy > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 10:54

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Why the repost?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 10:57

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Hear hear! I love my Fiesta ST, I really, really do; but I can't help thinking I would have bought another Hyundai in a heartbeat if the Elantra GTS was a thing that existed.

Road Magazine > NoahthePorscheGuy 04/29/2014 at 11:04

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Posted it quite late yesterday at night, thought I'd give the chance for people to see it.

Jayhawk Jake > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 11:11

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When this was announced, I really hoped it would come over.

We get this instead...*sigh*

It doesn't have quite the same presence, and while I haven't seen the hatch yet the same face on the Koup looks funky.

Road Magazine > Jayhawk Jake 04/29/2014 at 11:14

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I think it's unfair really. Most American's are demanding wagons and more hatchbacks yet the calculations manufacturers make show you guy's don't need it. Something is going awfully wrong here!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 13:29

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My editor at drivingspirit.com liked this car too, I haven't driven it yet but I do like the style and the look.

A KIA is now a really nice car to own, they are really nicely put together and have nice designs and a real look to them. Some might say classy!

Love that RR by the way. Naughty!

Road Magazine > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/29/2014 at 13:32

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Just noticed your editor had exactly the same press car we did! I get a bit sentimental with cars that aren't mine, I actually miss it a little! I'm considering buying it now though. But the car was flawless for me, the only issue I had with it was the fuel, it was quite bad.

The RR was an absolute hoot to drive. I had both of them at the same time so if I wanted to cruise around, I'd take the RR, if I wanted to 'drive', I'd take the Cee'd.

Just had a look at your site, looking good! Here's ours - roadmag.co.uk

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 13:49

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Oh cool! Damn, both you guys have driven that. I wonder when it's my turn! I've heard the fuel consumption isn't that great, at least not when stacked up against its rivals.

I would love to try a RR too, I've just reviewed the Infiniti QX70 and that sounds like it gives a similar (if not quite in the same league) driving experience.

I own a Skoda Octavia vRS for a few more days. It's a wonderful hot hatch (even though it's a bit big) and is very fast indeed. One of the best cars on the market at the moment. Sad to see it go.

Thanks for the link! I'll check you guys out, always good to meet more peeps in this game!

Road Magazine > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/29/2014 at 14:00

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Haven't driven the vRS range from Skoda, but I've heard they're wonderful! Are you guys attending SMMT in May?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 14:01

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Chris is, I'm nursing a bad back injury so it's touch and go! Have you got an e-mail I can contact you on?

Road Magazine > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/29/2014 at 14:08

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Ouch, here's to a speedy recovery! Yes, zamanamg@gmail.com.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Road Magazine 04/29/2014 at 14:09

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Cheers Zaman, i'll drop you an e-mail!