Style made more appealing by specific details, technology in step with the times, pleasant driving and low fuel consumption, the Kia C. Valid from a dynamic point of view, comfortable and relaxing to drive with the 160 HP T-GDi turbo petrol "millecinque" combined with a substantial automatic gearbox, this Korean hybrid made in Slovakia also knows how to entertain when necessary, as appreciated during the two weeks of the Ansa Motori test.
Photo story Kia XCeed 1.5 T-GDi Mild Hybrid DCT GT-Line - Photos - Ansa.it
Focused on sportiness, the GT-line environment combines the features of a higher segment car with design elements that aim to further distinguish the XCeed from the competition and from the more anonymous 5-door sedan from which it derives.
A car from which it is 44 mm higher from the ground and from which it differs in various details of the bodywork.
Here, therefore, is the redesigned front bumper in which the air conveyor stands out, the rear diffuser with a glossy black plate, the LED headlights which incorporate the fog lights and the 18" alloy wheels. Mudguards, sills and roof rails furthermore, they are in satin chrome. Carefully thought-out touches which, overall, give a standing of greater character to
this character. A car to be appreciated day after day, it has everything you need to enjoy, without any jerks, but also without any particular flaws, apart from the not particularly generous luggage compartment, due to the space taken away by the 48 Volt batteries of the MHEV hybrid system which integrates the torque supplied by the combustion engine with the energy supplied by the lithium ion polymer battery and which, in the "Eco" driving mode, also allows short driving intervals with the "engine off", up to 125 km/h of maximum speed.
The GT-Line setup is adequately satisfying in terms of equipment (including, among other things, front seats and heated steering wheel) and the quality of the finishes.
Dashboard and infotainment controls, lights and controls are intuitive and well organised.
The passenger compartment is welcoming, the engine is properly soundproofed and it "drinks" little: on average during the test, 16 km were driven on one liter of petrol.
In the city the car is just right and you can travel from 10.2 to 16.8 km, depending on the traffic conditions and the "nervousness" of those sitting behind the wheel.
On extra-urban roads the speed is close to 20 km/litre.
On the motorway, at the standard 130 km/h, the engine runs at 2,500 in seventh gear, recording an interesting average of 14.2 km/litre on the on-board computer: at this speed the general noise level is quite low and road without particular stress, thanks also to the various electronic driving aid devices included as standard.
The safety electronics are effective and not too intrusive.
The on-board infotainment lacks nothing.
The relaxing automatic gearbox is well programmed.
He won't have a "love at first sight" line, however, he knows how to gain respect on a daily basis, with his punctual answers.
These are the main notes taken during the test, until, in the middle of one night, after three hours of driving at a constant 130 km/h, we leave the motorway to face an Apennine pass full of curves.
By setting the sport driving mode (the others are normal and eco), the hardness of the steering changes, the accelerator becomes more responsive in transmitting commands and the gearbox becomes more "awake".
Without traffic, in a darkness well lit by LED eyes, between ups and downs and hairpin bends, this XCeed shows its fun side.
The four-cylinder pushes well, its 252 Nm of maximum torque is appreciated.
The seven-speed dual-clutch DCT brings a smile to your face.
The car doesn't drool one iota, on the contrary it shows its muscles but always in safety.
And the score on the final judgment goes up.
In summary, this MHev GT-Line DCT variant, on the list starting from 34,500 euros, is a pleasant car to own, if necessary, in fact, it knows how to entertain and with its 7-year warranty (until reaching 150,000 km ) is also suitable for those who pay attention to solidity and concreteness.
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