Background
The Kia Cee'd, with its quirky and confusing use of an apostrophe, first arrived in the UK back in 2007 after a December 2006 launch across Europe.
While Kia itself is a thoroughly Korean company, the Cee'd was actually designed by a German team headed by a Hungarian, with production taking place at a Slovakian factory.
The used Kia Cee'd shares a platform with the Hyundai i30 and although some have complained that its sibling actually has a better level of trim and finish, the Cee'd remains a competitive family hatchback.
Kia's famous seven year warranty, which covers the car for up to 150,000 miles, is one of the major selling points, so if you purchase a used example then the chances are that it is still within this window.
The first generation consisted of 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre petrol engine options, along with an efficient 1.6 litre diesel model to boot.
In 2010 the range got a minor facelift, mainly altering the front end to keep it consistent with the new tiger nose design that was rolling out across Kia's vehicles.
2012 saw the first full generational revision of the approved used Kia Cee'd, with the same platform-sharing detail keeping it linked to the i30 and the excellent seven year warranty coaxing UK buyers to part with their cash.
Bang for your buck
The used Kia Cee'd for sale is a great all-rounder in the family hatchback segment and on its initial launch was considered for a number of awards, including European Car of the Year.
As well as receiving five stars under the NCAP crash protection scheme, which means safety is a priority, the Cee'd is quite fuel efficient and received its own ECO model in late 2007 to give the environmentally conscious something to shout about.
A 2.0 litre CRDi engine arrived in 2008 and offered a bit of sportiness along with the economy, which is something to consider. There were also a number of limited edition Cee'd models introduced during its first generation, with varying and sometimes confusing levels of trim.
Things have become much clearer in the Kia Cee'd's second generation form, with a simple five tier approach to trim and a stylish exterior which mimics rivals like the Vauxhall Astra and Audi A3 without outright infringing on their looks.
From 2012 the Cee'd trim levels are simply referred to as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4 Tech. The basic equipment includes air con, electric windows up front, remote central locking and a built in audio system that is compatible with media players.
The Kia Cee'd 2 adds alloy wheels, electric mirrors which fold in automatically and a few design flares, such as the leather-rimmed steering wheel.
The Kia Cee'd 3 gives you headlights that automatically come on when darkness descends and windscreen wipers which are also activated automatically. There is even an integrated sat nav system with a touchscreen display.
The Kia Cee'd 4 bumps up the alloys to 17 inches across the diameter, as well as giving you full leather upholstery and an electronic parking brake, amongst other additions. The 4 Tech, meanwhile, has perks like a panoramic sunroof, electrically controlled driver's seat and the parking assist system.
What you'll pay
The second hand Kia Cee'd for sale is an affordable option for anyone buying new and although residual values have been decent you can still bag a bargain.
A 2007 Kia Cee'd can be bought for around £3000 or so, depending on trim level and engine type. More modern examples from 2009 and 2010 will set you back closer to £6000 or more, with low mileage models being the most desirable.
Used Kia Cee'd cars for sale that are being sold after just a few months on the market will cost between £12,000 and £20,000, with the trim level playing a major role in how much you will pay.
What to check
Kias are reliable, but you will want to ensure that there is a full service history that abides by the rules of the seven year warranty if you want to preserve it during your ownership.
Parts
Parts for the Cee'd are competitive with other affordable family hatchbacks, so keeping it in shape is never too expensive and very worthwhile because of the bulletproof warranty.
How it drives
The used Kia Cee'd is an economical car and behaves as such, although the sportier models do have a bit of poke to liven things up on the school run or the commute.
Most people will be purchasing a Kia Cee'd for practical purposes, but experts claim that it's actually more fun to drive than a Golf and gives the Ford Focus a run for its money.
