Kia Pro_Cee’d GT new car review

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Just when you thought there were enough new cars to choose from, along comes another one. Meet Kia's latest arrival, a small three-door hatchback with a feisty turbocharged heart. And an odd name.

It's officially known as the pro_cee'd, with cee’d having something to do with the European Economic Community (where the car was designed), while the pro denotes three-door. There’s a good chance would-be owners would have tuned out by the time the salesperson finishes explaining it.

So for simplicity we'll refer to it as the Proceed - or Proceed GT - minus the weird punctuation that is more about ensuring the texting generation that is a large chunk of the car's market look at it more lovingly. Just to confuse things the Proceed - sorry, Pro_cee'd - wears a badge that denotes it as a cee'd.

And in case you weren’t confused enough, a quick glance around the Kia showroom will reveal the Koup, a car that uses the same engine and has a similar emphasis on design and sportiness.

Kia says the Koup is more about touring while the Proceed is sportier, partly due to its more advanced independent suspension system.

None of that confusion detracts from the fact Kia has built a solid reputation for reliable, value-packed cars. From the Sorento that's always impressed us at our Car of the Year testing to the Cerato that suffers only in brand recognition in a segment dominated by the likes of Corolla and Mazda3, the Korean car maker has a model range worthy of attention.

But it's never been particularly exciting, which is where the Proceed comes in. Like sister brand Hyundai's Veloster, the Proceed focuses more on the drive than the practicality.

What do you get?

The Proceed starts at $29,990, plus on-road and dealer costs. For that you get six airbags (dual front, front side and side curtain), stability control, Bluetooth, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, cruise control, dual zone automatic air-conditioning and 18-inch alloy wheels.

There are only four colours to choose from - black, silver, white and red - with red the only standard colour; all others add $595.

The GT-Tech model is another $3500 and adds a sensor key with push button start, active headlights, sunroof, and various trim and practicality touches, such as a power outlet in the luggage compartment and illuminating exterior door handles.

However, an automatic transmission is not available for now, although rumours persist that the new seven-speed twin clutch gearbox Kia unveiled internationally this year could be a contender for the Proceed.

What's inside?

Big doors give access to a cabin clearly focused on two people. While there are rear seats, the flipping and folding of the front pews makes it less practical than other hatches. Once there there's a confined feeling, from the tapering roof and rising window line that also creates a blind spot to the left of the driver.

Up front, however, there's more to get excited about, starting with the funky instrument cluster. A bold speedo is projected on a computer screen to give a traditional analogue collection of gauges. But press the GT button - one of many on the steering wheel - and the cluster changes to something that looks like it's from a computer game. There's a digital speedo flanked by digital gauges that estimate the turbo boost and torque output of the engine. Yes, it's gimmicky, but it's better than your average speedo and adds some colour to the cockpit.

It's also the highlight of a well-presented cabin and one that blends functionality with style. While the faux stitched steering wheel isn't as convincing as the real deal, it's indicative of the effort put in - at a price.

Dark finishes complement the sporty demeanour while there's a level of practicality that ensures the Proceed will comfortably fulfil the daily driver duties. As well as decent door pockets and cup holders that are also handy for phones there's a deep covered centre binnacle. A USB outlet and twin power plugs ensure the target market will be forever connected.

The boot is fairly useful, at 380 litres, and benefits from folding rear seats that can create a vastly more useful cavity.

Under the bonnet

A 1.6-litre turbo may not sound like much but it doesn't have a whole lot to contend with. The modest 1.4-tonne frame is easily shifted by the reasonable 265Nm that arrives from 1750rpm.

But while that low rev huff is refreshing and useful, the small capacity engine gets better with revs. Keep your foot flat beyond 3000rpm and there's a feistiness to its power delivery accompanied by a more raucous noise. By the time you're tapping into the 150kW on offer from 6000rpm the Proceed is building steam nicely.

It can occasionally be too much for the front wheels (where it sends its power) especially when accelerating hard out of a corner. The tyres can be left scrabbling for traction before the traction control electronically intervenes to reduce wheelspin.

For now the Proceed can only be had with a six-speed manual, which has relatively short first and second gears that help with the above-average acceleration. It’s a viceless shift action that doesn’t have the pinpoint directness of some.

Running on regular unleaded, the Proceed used almost 11 litres per 100km during our predominantly suburban drive, which isn't bad for the performance, albeit still up on the 7.4L/100km windscreen sticker figure.

On the road

While two-door Kias in the past have been more about the look than the driving excitement, the Proceed comes at it from a different angle. It starts with a unique independent rear suspension set-up designed to better control the car during more spirited driving.

The dynamic equation is also helped by a grippy set of Michelin tyres, although the pay off is noticeable tyre noise on selected road surfaces.

The Proceed sits well in bends and resists the tendency to lean, albeit with some firmness that reminds you that this car is more about hanging on that pampering. Still, the way the car deals with bumps is impressive, with good body control and minimal recovery time even after large imperfections.

Steering, though, isn’t as endearing to the whole sportiness theme. It’s not as direct as some and there’s some off weighting going on; initially too light then without the alacrity that helps make a sporty car feel lively once you throw it at a succession of curves.

Verdict

It's not about to have shoppers of the Volkswagen Golf GTI or Renault Megane RS cancelling their orders -  those are better, faster cars - but the Proceed is a rorty, sporty three-door at a tempting price. It drives well and has the sort of creature comforts that reinforce that you're driving something a bit out of the ordinary.

Kia Pro_Cee'd GT Pricing and Specifications

Price:  $29,990, plus on-road and dealer costs

Country of origin: Slovakia

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 150kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 265Nm at 1750-4500rpm

CO2 emissions: 171g/km

Fuel use: 7.4L/100km

Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel-drive

Weight: 1448kg

Safety: 6 airbags, stability control

Pros

Rorty turbocharged engine; fantastic instrument cluster; great price rams home value; competent dynamics.

Cons

No auto option; can scrabble for traction out of corners; tyre noise; ride suffers on sharp bumps.

The Competitors

HYUNDAI VELOSTER SR TURBO

Price: $31,990

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl, 150kW/265Nm; 6-sp man/auto, FWD

Fuel use / CO2 emissions: 6.8L/100km; 163g/km (m), 181g/km (a)

Safety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability control

Pros: Sharp styling; strong performance; plenty of grip; value.

Cons: Poor rear vision; lumpy ride.

OUR SCORE 4/4

VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI THREE-DOOR

Price: $27,790

Engine: 1.4-litre turbo & supercharged 4-cyl, 132kW/250Nm; 7-sp auto, FWD

Fuel use / CO2 emissions: 6.1L/100km, 142g/km

Safety: 5-star ANCAP, 6 airbags, stability control

Pros: Cracking engine; quality interior.

Cons: Firm ride; no manual; requires premium 98-octane fuel.

OUR SCORE 4/4

TOYOTA 86 GT

Price: $29,990 (man), $32,490 (auto)

Engine: 2.0-litre horizontally opposed 4-cyl, 147kW/205Nm; 6-sp man/auto, RWD

Fuel use / CO2 emissions: 7.8L/100km, 181g/km (man)

Safety: 7 airbags, stability control

Pros: Fantastically engaging; agile feel; great steering; meaty brakes; linear engine response.

Cons: Some interior parts feel cheap; thirsty and requires premium unleaded.

OUR SCORE: 4.5/5

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