Kia Cee'd SW estate (2007-2012)

CarBuyer is a big fan of the five-door Kia Cee’d – so it should come as no surprise that we like the practical estate SW version as well. Outright space betters rivals like the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, and its load area is easy to access, too, thanks to the wide-opening hatch. And despite the fact that the estate is 235mm longer than the hatchback, the car looks smart and is good to drive. Add to all of this Kia’s seven-year warranty, and it’s easy to see why the model offers such appeal.

According to official figures, drivers can expect upwards of 60mpg from the Kia Cee’d SW’s diesel engines, and low CO2 emissions as well. EcoDynamics models offer best fuel consumption, but trade some straight-line speed for returns at the filling station. Resale values are robust, with the car expected to retain around 40 percent of its value over three years, largely thanks to it still having four years’ warranty.

Strong diesel engines, accurate steering and strong brakes make the Kia Cee’d SW feel reassuring stable on even the most demanding roads. However, to make sure the car cancope with the kind of loads you can fit into the cavernous boot, the Cee’d SW has stiffer rear suspension than the standard five-door hatchback, which spoils comfort, particularly around town.

The seats are supportive and the quality of the cabin materials ensures there’s a sense of solidity to the Kia Cee’d SW’s cabin –but while the estate is an impressive cruiser, around town the stiff suspension can make the car feel a little uncomfortable. At least there are plenty of luxuries such as air-con as standard.

If it’s a practical, useful load space that you are looking for,the Kia’s traditional estate-car design serves up a winning combination. Its boot is very easy to load and is versatile, too. And with a maximum load area of 1,664 litres, it’s one of the largest in class. Only crossover estates, like the Skoda Roomster, are bigger. As well as the sheer volume available, the Cee’d has clever storage areas hidden under the boot floor, which can help keep valuable items out of sight.

The fact that Kia offers a seven-year warranty on the new Cee’d SW speaks volumes on just how certain the Korean car maker is about the build quality and reliability of its cars. And it seems you agree. Kia was a top-performing manufacturer in the 2010 Driver Power survey and the Cee’d was voted the 23rd most satisfying car in the country to own. Flagship models get plenty of safety equipment, including stability and traction control. It’s a shame, however, that these features are costoptions on lesser models.

There are deals available on the Kia Cee’d SW, but although the car is cheaper than direct competitors from big brands like Ford and Vauxhall, it’s still not the bargain-basement model you might expect. However, the mid-range price tagis offset by the generous equipment levels – and that seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.