Kia cee'd Sportswagon commended at What Car? CoTY Awards

The ever successful Kia cee'd range was commended again last night after WhatCar? named the Sportswagon 1.4 CRDi 1 ISG variant the 'Best-Buy' estate car under £18,000.

Alongside stiff competition from BMW and Ford, the cee'd Sportswagon 1.4 CRDi 1 ISG impressed with its admirable fuel efficiency capabilities, high level of equipment, practicality, safety attributes, low maintenance and insurance costs.

Jim Holder - What Car? editor said: "The cee'd estate is a very well rounded, honest car that's impossible to ignore at this price point. It's nice to drive with a forgiving ride and light controls. The 510-litre boot is more than capable of handling a weekend away, with a long, fat load bay, extra storage under the boot floor, and room for four adults to sit in comfort. As a cheap, hassle-free ownership prospect, it's hard to beat."

The entry-level 89bhp 1.4 CRDi engine develops 220Nm of torque from just 1500rpm and is capable of 67.3mpg and has CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km. All models from the '1' spec level feature a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including luggage area under-floor tray and side tray, a retractable and removable load cover, a boot light and a rear 12-volt power socket and roof rails.

Also standard are electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, front electric windows with auto up and down function, daytime running lights, remote central locking, cooled glovebox, flat-folding 60:40 split rear seats, ambient front lighting, an iPod-compatible audio system with radio and CD player, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, ESC and VSM, HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), six airbags, speed-sensitive auto door locking and alloy wheels on all 1.6-litre versions.