Looks great and drives well too

I’ll start with a statistic, always a good place to begin. Did you know that less than seven per cent of the Irish new car market is made up of estates?

Obviously we are getting tidier and/or rearing smaller families and there must also be fewer small shopkeepers out there making their way to their local cash and carry outlet.

This is by way of introduction to the new version of the cee’d Sportswagon, the latest motor from the Korean manufacturer. It looks great and drives well also.

Japan used to be the big threat to traditional European car manufacturers, but in recent years Korean cousins Kia and Hyundai have been making serious inroads into Irish and European markets. The cee’d has given Kia a strong foothold in the Irish market and apart from the Sportage, it has been their best seller here since 2008. The cee’d was also the first in Ireland to get Kia’s famous seven-year warranty, but like all good offers there are some terms and conditions attached to this warranty.

After a slow start Kia now has garnered 4 per cent of the Irish market and they aim to increase that to 5 per cent by next year. Their sales figures for last year were up by 18 per cent. Kia say they are putting the

‘sports’ into Sportwagon, but really it’s just a fancy name for a

‘station wagon,’ which has traditionally been used by shopkeepers and others who want to carry big loads.

This is a really an Estate or Station Wagon, a long motor which looks very impressive side-on. Two roof rails accentuate the elongated loo and you will appreciate the reversing sensors. At the front you get the distinctive dog’s bone grille. And the Kia badge has now been moved from the grille to the bonnet.

At the back the tailgate opens really high and you should be able to carry even the most awkward looking items. Once placed inside the items can be held securely in place by a useful locking gadget in the boot. And there is still room for a

‘mini’ spare wheel underneath.

Inside there is ample room for five adults and it’s a very comfortable drive. All the controls on the dash are well laid out and easy to use; it was cold last week and every time the temperature dropped the new reading flashed on the screen. It’s up to yourself whether you want to go for the basic TX which has Bluetooth, USB and Aux-in port. The top of the range EX model will cost you

?¬1,500 more and for that you get a bit more luxury with fancy alloys, privacy glass, LED daytime running lights and folding door mirrors.

There was a time when Kia was famous for its seven-year warranty; now thanks to former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, the Korean company is producing classy looking cars like the cee’d Sportswagon. The Sportswagon is an impressive looking estate and is available in 1.4 and 1.6 diesel with prices starting at

?¬21,795 for the 1.4 EX version. That’s only

?¬800 more than Kia’s regular 5-door cee’d hatchback. So plenty of space for all the family and good value also.

And as the old saying goes you really will be

‘sucking diesel’ as there is no petrol version available. And the diesel engines are very frugal.