Kia offers its 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine in two power outputs, of which our test car was the higher, developing a very respectable 113bhp at 4000rpm.
It has a good torque output too, of 188lb ft, which plateaus from 1900-2750rpm.
There’s a nice, broad spread of power, with little lag even at low revs and a willingness to spin towards 5000rpm.
On MIRA’s test tracks the Pro_cee’d managed the 0-60mph dash in 10.6sec and would have gone quicker were it not for the recalcitrant gearshift of our test example, which was reluctant to accept first and sometimes second gear.
However, we’ve driven plenty of other Cee’ds with the same gearbox to know that usually it’s a sweet-shifting unit. If it had a sixth ratio its economy might be improved yet further too, although we’ve no grudge with an average of 38.8mpg and a touring figure nearer to 50mpg.
We've been expecting good things of the ride quality, too, thanks to the high standard set by the regular five-door Cee’d. Like its five-door counterpart, the Pro_cee'd has a relatively long 2650mm wheelbase, MacPherson strut front and independent, multi-link rear suspension, while its body, is marginally stiffer.
It’s also lower and lighter than the Cee’d and Kia has therefore made few dynamic changes. On our test car, though, like all spec 3 and Sport Pro_cee’ds running on 17-inch alloy wheels, the dampers are eight per cent stiffer than usual.
But by increasing the firmness (and it is firm now), some of the fluidity of the standard car has been lost. It’s not an uncomfortable car to drive, just not as supple as we’d like.
The electrically assisted power steering has been tuned on any Pro_cee’d with the 17-inch wheel package. Assistance is increased at low speeds, and decreased at higher speeds, for a ‘sporty’ feel. We can’t help thinking it might have been better left alone, as there’s now rather too much variation in its weight.