What is it?
The seven-year warranty on the original Kia c'eed has not even run its course, yet here we have the new model unveiled in five-door hatchback guise. Kia has upped the refinement of the second generation car to better enable it to compete with European rivals.
Why's it here?
The c'eed is an important car for Kia. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, specifically for the European market, it has the Opel Astra, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf firmly in its sights.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Kia has made quantum leaps in recent years, setting aside the 'budget alternative' tag and beginning to challenge European rivals in terms of quality and refinement. If the c'eed is as good as Kia makes it out to be it could be the car that moves the Korean manufacturer firmly into the mainstream. On those terms it has to rank as a show stopper.