Kia Ceed 2018-2025

This no-nonsense family car was no class leader, but it played a crucial part in Kia's growth

- CHRIS HAINING

A HOLIDAY DOESN'T really begin until you're safely at the villa. After interminable airport delays before a crowded flight, and still feeling the effects of an early alarm, the last thing you want is more stress after you land at your destination. And if your chosen rental firm hands you the key to a Kia Ceed, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

The first Cee’d - note the jaunty apostrophe - arrived in 2006. It was an earnest, meat and two veg kind of car; it had neither the polished dynamics of the rival Ford Focus nor the interior lustre of the Volkswagen Golf. It was, though, competitive in a way no previous Kia family car had been. Designed and built in Europe, rather than Kia’s native Korea, the Cee'd looked smart, was nicely built and was comfy and good enough to drive that senior rivals took note.