My Korean Warm Hatch
Discussion
Hi,
Been a long time since I was on the site.
At the end of last year I really wanted to stop using my 90s Celica as my daily car. She was great fun, but I was slowly killing her with a daily commute and trips for work or longer road trips were not ideal.
So I started to look at options for a used but much newer daily.
I like owning different cars and this car was to replace my last daily, a V70R that had been amazing but fiscally challenging.
My wants were
Manual gearbox
5 doors
Low key looks
Decent steering feel
Good ride Handling balance and compromise, I have a car on coil overs if I need to count change on an A road, I don't need another car that can do that trick!
Low maintenance, I sadly do not have the free time I used to have, being out racing every weekend with my Lad
Fun to drive but not OTT, I do not need mega bhp, crazy exhausts and race buckets all covered in carbon fibre
Good Warranty, After the V70R I need a car that does not drive me to counselling
Interior Buttons...This is a must have, I cannot abide the touch everything modern screen life
So after much searching and driving I found a very unlikely candidate
A car I did not know existed, that in this model does not fill the classifieds and one that so far has served me well
What Have I got
a 2020 Kia Ceed GT
201 bhp
6 speed Manual
1380kgs
A touchscreen, but with buttons
It had 8,500 miles on it, one owner
4 years off warranty left
Unmarked and with back seats and boot not used.
Done a little over 2000 miles in it now
Likes
Really fun chassis, lots of grip, turns in well and is playful, not ultra responsive, but good fun on a B road
A decent ride, runs Pilot sport 4s, but only 18" thankfully
Good seats
Its quick enough, a decent TD or baby EV is far faster in a straight line, but the midrange punch is enough for some fun and its not overpowering the fronts
Heated Steering wheel is very nice
Sound, not too loud, just a bypass for both boxes when in sport, but enough so it does not feel like you are piloting a toaster. It gives it some character.
So so
Fuel tank is tiny, despite low 40s mpg range is still barely 360 miles
Gearbox is a touch notchy
Stereo lacks any bass, This model misses out on the JBL stereo upgrade and it shows
Rev Hang, its got a very odd flywheel effect that road tests mention and its just hangs on to revs, which at first is odd. You can drive round it, but race car responsive it is not.
Is it the best Hatch, no not by a long shot, its not even a great "warm Hatch" A Fiesta ST will leave it standing for example and cripes a 130N on the same platform is a far faster and more accomplished flyer.
However its balance of daily driver on motorways and town roads and fun B roader is really good.
I have done some decent length journeys and its just so comfy
No one knows what it is too, It looks like any other Ceed, which I guess I like as it blends in, even though there are a few sportyish touches
Anyway thats my GT, or warm Hatch
Celica to follow as thats the project car and long term wallet killer!
Been a long time since I was on the site.
At the end of last year I really wanted to stop using my 90s Celica as my daily car. She was great fun, but I was slowly killing her with a daily commute and trips for work or longer road trips were not ideal.
So I started to look at options for a used but much newer daily.
I like owning different cars and this car was to replace my last daily, a V70R that had been amazing but fiscally challenging.
My wants were
Manual gearbox
5 doors
Low key looks
Decent steering feel
Good ride Handling balance and compromise, I have a car on coil overs if I need to count change on an A road, I don't need another car that can do that trick!
Low maintenance, I sadly do not have the free time I used to have, being out racing every weekend with my Lad
Fun to drive but not OTT, I do not need mega bhp, crazy exhausts and race buckets all covered in carbon fibre
Good Warranty, After the V70R I need a car that does not drive me to counselling
Interior Buttons...This is a must have, I cannot abide the touch everything modern screen life
So after much searching and driving I found a very unlikely candidate
A car I did not know existed, that in this model does not fill the classifieds and one that so far has served me well
What Have I got
a 2020 Kia Ceed GT
201 bhp
6 speed Manual
1380kgs
A touchscreen, but with buttons
It had 8,500 miles on it, one owner
4 years off warranty left
Unmarked and with back seats and boot not used.
Done a little over 2000 miles in it now
Likes
Really fun chassis, lots of grip, turns in well and is playful, not ultra responsive, but good fun on a B road
A decent ride, runs Pilot sport 4s, but only 18" thankfully
Good seats
Its quick enough, a decent TD or baby EV is far faster in a straight line, but the midrange punch is enough for some fun and its not overpowering the fronts
Heated Steering wheel is very nice
Sound, not too loud, just a bypass for both boxes when in sport, but enough so it does not feel like you are piloting a toaster. It gives it some character.
So so
Fuel tank is tiny, despite low 40s mpg range is still barely 360 miles
Gearbox is a touch notchy
Stereo lacks any bass, This model misses out on the JBL stereo upgrade and it shows
Rev Hang, its got a very odd flywheel effect that road tests mention and its just hangs on to revs, which at first is odd. You can drive round it, but race car responsive it is not.
Is it the best Hatch, no not by a long shot, its not even a great "warm Hatch" A Fiesta ST will leave it standing for example and cripes a 130N on the same platform is a far faster and more accomplished flyer.
However its balance of daily driver on motorways and town roads and fun B roader is really good.
I have done some decent length journeys and its just so comfy
No one knows what it is too, It looks like any other Ceed, which I guess I like as it blends in, even though there are a few sportyish touches
Anyway thats my GT, or warm Hatch
Celica to follow as thats the project car and long term wallet killer!
I have the 2014 version and everything you’ve said I can relate to.
But what I like about it other than pound for pound it’s great value is….no one really knows what it is or what with a bit of modification it could be. Ie underrated but decent in most areas.
I’m not a fan of the Ford “everyone and their chav son has one” Fiesta ST so I pumped for this Kia Proceed GT Tech.
I like to make myself feel like I’ve bought something that’s a “smart” choice. Keep telling myself that
I’m now on the look out for the step up and contemplating a Kia Stinger just again because it’s even more underrated.
Here is wishing you continued happy ownership
But what I like about it other than pound for pound it’s great value is….no one really knows what it is or what with a bit of modification it could be. Ie underrated but decent in most areas.
I’m not a fan of the Ford “everyone and their chav son has one” Fiesta ST so I pumped for this Kia Proceed GT Tech.
I like to make myself feel like I’ve bought something that’s a “smart” choice. Keep telling myself that
I’m now on the look out for the step up and contemplating a Kia Stinger just again because it’s even more underrated.
Here is wishing you continued happy ownership
Thank you guys.
I had no idea about this car.
The only way I found it was by using the options you get when you use Autotrader.
I remember the past GT with the 4 little spot lights and the 3 door looks, very interesting car to be honest.
As you say pretty much everyone walks past it and takes no notice. So it goes very much under the radar.
I had no idea about this car.
The only way I found it was by using the options you get when you use Autotrader.
I remember the past GT with the 4 little spot lights and the 3 door looks, very interesting car to be honest.
As you say pretty much everyone walks past it and takes no notice. So it goes very much under the radar.
ZX10 I believe username pointed me in the Proceed GT’s direction.
Like you say under the radar and that’s just fine with me.
It’s by no means the final word in motoring. But does it really have to be. We could go on forever upping a budget but there is always a sweet point. This is it for me in the unique, warm hatch arena.
My mpg though is early to mid 30s - 33/34z
Which reading your comments at least they improved this.
Like you say under the radar and that’s just fine with me.
It’s by no means the final word in motoring. But does it really have to be. We could go on forever upping a budget but there is always a sweet point. This is it for me in the unique, warm hatch arena.
My mpg though is early to mid 30s - 33/34z
Which reading your comments at least they improved this.
I think I must have read the same recommendation as you OP because a while ago I found myself looking at these on Autotrader, but that's as far as I got!
Yours looks great too (I do like red cars) and 201bhp isn't exactly gutless. As someone said everyone raved about the MK5 Golf GTi when it came out and that had a similar output.
Maybe I need to look again!
Yours looks great too (I do like red cars) and 201bhp isn't exactly gutless. As someone said everyone raved about the MK5 Golf GTi when it came out and that had a similar output.
Maybe I need to look again!
Kingdom35 said:
I have the 2014 version and everything you’ve said I can relate to.
But what I like about it other than pound for pound it’s great value is….no one really knows what it is or what with a bit of modification it could be. Ie underrated but decent in most areas.
I’m not a fan of the Ford “everyone and their chav son has one” Fiesta ST so I pumped for this Kia Proceed GT Tech.
I like to make myself feel like I’ve bought something that’s a “smart” choice. Keep telling myself that
I’m now on the look out for the step up and contemplating a Kia Stinger just again because it’s even more underrated.
Here is wishing you continued happy ownership
Get a stinger.... Awesome carBut what I like about it other than pound for pound it’s great value is….no one really knows what it is or what with a bit of modification it could be. Ie underrated but decent in most areas.
I’m not a fan of the Ford “everyone and their chav son has one” Fiesta ST so I pumped for this Kia Proceed GT Tech.
I like to make myself feel like I’ve bought something that’s a “smart” choice. Keep telling myself that
I’m now on the look out for the step up and contemplating a Kia Stinger just again because it’s even more underrated.
Here is wishing you continued happy ownership
Thanks for all the postive Replies
Had no idea they could re map to 250, thats interesting.
It was actually pretty hard to find a local example for sale, I am guessing they were not popular new.
The fastback estate looks nice too, but sadly auto only, and much as I respect mondern Autos, i wanted a manual.
Only downside is electric handbrake, which even after a few months i find awkward.
Had no idea they could re map to 250, thats interesting.
It was actually pretty hard to find a local example for sale, I am guessing they were not popular new.
The fastback estate looks nice too, but sadly auto only, and much as I respect mondern Autos, i wanted a manual.
Only downside is electric handbrake, which even after a few months i find awkward.
Mr Tidy said:
Oh dear - that's put me off a bit. 
Yes its less than ideal. No idea why they built it with one, as there is space for a physical one instead.I would still say test drive one. I was not expecting much, maybe i let my assumptions and pre conceived thoughts colour my judgement.
Its definitely not a wow car, but as daily fun car it ticked my boxes.
On the remap, it will stay std for the warranty term at least.
Cheers for the heads up
So Now some 3000 Miles in
Few More observations
It has a small issue on start up. Its cold start idle is rough as. Which I actually like, it starts and sounds like an old grumpy car from the 80s. It soon settles down to its normal modern sound, but that first thing off cam splutter and burble is fun
Thank goodness for buttons, I now have my pre drive off routine sorted and can get going without worrying about nanny assists. It would drive me crazy doing the same via touch screen menus
Economy never drops below 33 - 34mpg even on a good thrash which is way better than I thought it would be
B roads are proving to be really enjoyable with the car nicely balanced, but the brakes are not up to the rest of the car. Twice now I have had some brake fade, so different pads are on the cards.
Having recently spent 4 hours stuck on the M42, the seats are still as good as ever and really are a bonus for me.
The front screen sensors for the wipers are awful, Its like on auto they do the exact opposite of what is need, light rain they go for it, heavy rain they take a break, relax and grab an easy chair!
New front tyres are on the cards soon, the current Pilots sports are starting to look worn and wet weather grip has got noticably worse recently.
Few More observations
It has a small issue on start up. Its cold start idle is rough as. Which I actually like, it starts and sounds like an old grumpy car from the 80s. It soon settles down to its normal modern sound, but that first thing off cam splutter and burble is fun
Thank goodness for buttons, I now have my pre drive off routine sorted and can get going without worrying about nanny assists. It would drive me crazy doing the same via touch screen menus
Economy never drops below 33 - 34mpg even on a good thrash which is way better than I thought it would be
B roads are proving to be really enjoyable with the car nicely balanced, but the brakes are not up to the rest of the car. Twice now I have had some brake fade, so different pads are on the cards.
Having recently spent 4 hours stuck on the M42, the seats are still as good as ever and really are a bonus for me.
The front screen sensors for the wipers are awful, Its like on auto they do the exact opposite of what is need, light rain they go for it, heavy rain they take a break, relax and grab an easy chair!
New front tyres are on the cards soon, the current Pilots sports are starting to look worn and wet weather grip has got noticably worse recently.
Alwayzsidewayz2 said:
So Now some 3000 Miles in
Few More observations
It has a small issue on start up. Its cold start idle is rough as. Which I actually like, it starts and sounds like an old grumpy car from the 80s. It soon settles down to its normal modern sound, but that first thing off cam splutter and burble is fun
Thank goodness for buttons, I now have my pre drive off routine sorted and can get going without worrying about nanny assists. It would drive me crazy doing the same via touch screen menus
Economy never drops below 33 - 34mpg even on a good thrash which is way better than I thought it would be
B roads are proving to be really enjoyable with the car nicely balanced, but the brakes are not up to the rest of the car. Twice now I have had some brake fade, so different pads are on the cards.
Having recently spent 4 hours stuck on the M42, the seats are still as good as ever and really are a bonus for me.
The front screen sensors for the wipers are awful, Its like on auto they do the exact opposite of what is need, light rain they go for it, heavy rain they take a break, relax and grab an easy chair!
New front tyres are on the cards soon, the current Pilots sports are starting to look worn and wet weather grip has got noticably worse recently.
Thought id add in my experience against yoursFew More observations
It has a small issue on start up. Its cold start idle is rough as. Which I actually like, it starts and sounds like an old grumpy car from the 80s. It soon settles down to its normal modern sound, but that first thing off cam splutter and burble is fun
Thank goodness for buttons, I now have my pre drive off routine sorted and can get going without worrying about nanny assists. It would drive me crazy doing the same via touch screen menus
Economy never drops below 33 - 34mpg even on a good thrash which is way better than I thought it would be
B roads are proving to be really enjoyable with the car nicely balanced, but the brakes are not up to the rest of the car. Twice now I have had some brake fade, so different pads are on the cards.
Having recently spent 4 hours stuck on the M42, the seats are still as good as ever and really are a bonus for me.
The front screen sensors for the wipers are awful, Its like on auto they do the exact opposite of what is need, light rain they go for it, heavy rain they take a break, relax and grab an easy chair!
New front tyres are on the cards soon, the current Pilots sports are starting to look worn and wet weather grip has got noticably worse recently.
Start up - i always wait for the car to settle/slightly warm, ie down to 1k revs, its a turbo after all.
Whats your pre drive off routine out of interest and which buttons? haha
My average on my 10mil commute up B roads is 33-34 mpg too BUT if you thrash it, it does go down so youre not doing the thrashing right, go off and enjoy the car more haha....the economy is a little let down tbh, low 30s even being conservative.
Seats are wonderful, best ive experienced in that price range, BUT beware of the foam leaving the seats...very annoying and well known issue as well as bolster tears/wear
Sensors - Not experienced that problem
I have Runsports all round, very nice tyre for a decent price, BUT Costco membership and Michelin offering at the same price so thats my next stop.
Agree on the brakes, they can be a bit scary at times. Yet to upgrade
Id say overall apart from maybe a Fiesta ST (which everyone has....dont be a Sheep) these are Top 3 in the 6-8k price range.
Great read, keep it coming
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff