CAR companies create new designs, build in plenty of goodies and try to keep the price as keen as possible. Faith in the product comes in the form of a warranty . . .two or three years in most cases.

So what does it say of the manufacturer who fulfils all the above criteria and gives a sevenyear warranty? It says welcome to a well-built car that should hold it's value longer than its rivals . . . a good investment.

Enter the cee'd from Kia.

Initially Kia planned to give a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty on the new model with a seven-year power-train warranty. But a research panel found the public were asking for more, "Why not a full seven-year warranty if the car is so good?"

Kia were quick to respond: "It is, and we will."

The move has created quite a stir in the motoring world where such a warranty is unique on this side of the Atlantic and Kia has got much recognition for pushing the boundaries. The cee'd is now on sale and the seven-year warranty is turning out to be a good selling point. Apart from the reassurance of the guarantee there is the important matter of residual values. With drivers changing their cars every two or three years. the first and second owners can sell on with a full warranty, which should have an impact on holding second-hand prices up, an area where Kia was a bit of a let down in the past.

The cee'd is an all-European car, not a Korean car built in Europe. The name combines "ce" from "community of Europe" and "ed" for its special "European design", which Kia sees as a short, innovative name that breaks away from automotive rules. It was designed by a team in Germany and is built in a state-of-the-art factory in Zilina, Slovakia, where 150,000 units a year will be produced. The cee'd has been sown to grow the Kia brand, as it were. Apart from the five-door hatchback with a 1.4litre petrol engine, there will soon be a 1.6-litre diesel option, a three-door version, a five-door sporty wagon . . . there is talk of 10 models in the range, not all for the Irish market.

The styling is clean and modern and functional but it will not stick out in the crowd. Built on a chassis that Hyundai plan to use for a new family hatchback, which is shortly on the way, the cee'd has a short body on a relatively long wheelbase and is well-constructed with tightfitting panels. It is a very practical design, well up with its competitors . . . Ford Focus, VW Golf and the other newcomer, Toyota Auris. And it is a lot cheaper considering that airconditioning is standard in both the LX and EX versions offered here. Prices are very competitive at 19,450 and 20,995.

The compact five-door design will attract the young urban drivers . . . light steering, easy parking and a very good 10.3m turning circle. It is surprisingly roomy inside and the 340-litre boot can be extended to 1,300 litres. Overall, the design is thoughtful: doors open wide for easy access, legroom is good for a car its size and the seats are supportive. There is a good range of adjustment in the steering column but the stalks for lights and wipers are in reverse to what we are used to. However, Kia say future models will be harmonised with other righthand-drive cars.

The cabin is light and airy with instruments well laid-out. Driving is relaxing with good soundproofing from wind and tyre noise, and suspensions that take the rough edge of most road surfaces. There could be more feedback from the steering at speed but it does well on corners.

The only petrol engine on offer is the 1.4-litre 105bhp, which is lively and reasonably economical with a mixed driving return on fuel consumption of just over 6l/100km.

Standard features include keyless entry, tilt-adjust steering wheel, USB and AUX input, six speakers, trip/fuel computer, centre armrest with storage box, six airbags, air conditioning, front fog lamps and CD/MP3compatible radio system. The EX version has part-leather seats, four electric windows and alloy wheels.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Kia cee'd EX 1.4L
Engine petrol 105 bhp
Length 4,234mm
width 1,790 mm
Height 1,480 mm
Wheelbase 2,650 mm
Acceleration 0-100km/11.6 secs
Top speed 187 km/h
Transmission 5-speed manual
Economy 6.1L/100km
Price 20,995
CO2 emissions 145g/km