Four engines are available. However, of the two petrol engines, we have so far only driven the larger 1.6, and it does a perfectly good job. The remaining two units are 1.6-litre diesel engines, and the higher-powered model is our favourite, impressivly punchy and giving appreciably better performance without any great sacrifice in fuel economy.

The Pro_cee'd is based on the Cee'd five-door, but Kia has tweaked the chassis to make it sportier to drive. Comfort suffers, though, because while the five-door Cee'd is firm enough and more than capable around corners, the Pro_cee'd's ride can be harsh, especially around town. It is impressively agile, however, with good grip and little body lean through corners. The steering is light and rather short on feel, but it is quick.

The 1.6 petrol engine is boomy at speed, but the 1.6-litre diesel is reasonably easy on the ear (for a diesel), whether you're working it hard or not. Wind- and road noise aren't intrusive, but there are quieter motorway cruisers in this class. The suspension thuds noisily over larger bumps, too, while the gearchange is notchy.

Low prices are key to every Kia. The Pro_cee'd is no exception, but its ace card is a seven-year warranty. Frugal diesel engines, low servicing bills and modest road tax and insurance costs add up to a sound ownership package. However, bear in mind that dealer discounts and residual values are no match for many of the Kia's big-name rivals.

The Pro_cee'd's cabin is smart and modern, but it's not as classy as that of a VW Golf or Vauxhall Astra, with a few cheap-looking materials and some lightweight controls. It's solid enough, though, and Kia has plenty of faith in the car's long-term reliability - enough, in fact, to give it a seven-year warranty.

All Pro_cee'ds come with front, side and curtain airbags as well as anti-lock brakes and electronic brake distribution (EBD). There are active front headrests (to counteract whiplash) and, in the rear, ISOFIX child seat fittings. The top Pro_cee'd 3 has stability control with emergency brake assist. Security features on all models comprise an alarm, deadlocks, remote central locking with deadlocks, and doorlocks that activate as soon as the car starts moving.

The seats are firm, but they're flat and could do with providing more side support. The steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, but taller drivers are likely to wish that it moved further away. They may also feel that they're perched rather high. The dash is well laid out, but the central readout can be hard to read at a glance. The chunky rear pillars seriously restrict the view out of the back, too.

If space is a priority, buyers will opt for the five-door Cee'd, but the Pro_cee'd still has plenty of cabin space, with generous legroom for those in the front and back seats. Access isn't as good, however, and rivals such as the VW Golf and Ford Focus have larger boots.

There are three trim levels: the 1, 2 and 3, and all three get more kit than the Cee'd. The Pro_cee'd 1 offers air-con and a metallic-effect fascia, but you'll need the 2 for 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps. The 3 includes 17-inch alloys, climate control, iPod connectivity and the most classy interior trim.