MANUAL transmission may eventually be phased out — like petrol and diesel fuelled cars — but this week’s drive proves there’s life in the old gearbox yet.
While carmakers relentlessly pursue all things electric, some new cars with gearstick and clutch pedal to the fore — such as the Kia Ceed Sportswagon test car — are still enjoyable to drive.
Of course, I come from a generation brought up on manual gearboxes. Automatic transmission was strictly for posh, prestige cars (and dare I say it, older drivers).
But I like a smooth, snappy gear change and enjoy dropping down through the gears to negotiate tight bends.
However, most young drivers I meet these days seem to prefer automatic transmission, maybe simply because it takes the effort out of driving.
I actually like automatic transmission in large SUVs and pick-ups but as I say I am not really bothered if I have to shift the stick.
And though the writing is on the wall for buying new cars with manual gearboxes, there must still be a desire for the “connection” of driving this way among many drivers.
The trouble with electric vehicles (EVs) is the “disconnection” or un-involvement the driver feels while at the wheel.
Indeed, one major carmaker recently filed eight patents for a “simulated” manual gearbox for EVs.
So it was with a feeling of familiarity and contentment then that this week I got behind the wheel of the new Kia Ceed Sportswagon.
This car restored my faith in all things plainly automotive that I have always liked about cars.
It was super efficient getting from A to B, it had a nice, rasping responsive engine, it was roomy in the medium size estate car sense of the word, and it wasn’t “electric”.
There’s really no messing about with the 2023 Ceed Sportswagon: to borrow an advertising slogan from someone else, this car does what it says on the tin.
The car has a “rejuvenated exterior” comprising a redesigned front-end, re-styled alloy wheels and refreshed body colours and interior. It looks the part in 2023/24 and the Ceed family is the third best-selling Kia in the UK.
There is a two-model range that features a four-cylinder 1.5-litre T-GDi engine paired with that slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.
The test car had a very useful loadspace (625 litres of luggage space with a maximum boot capacity of 1,694 litres). This translates into a lot of room packed into a medium size car.
The rear seats fold down in a 60:40 arrangement, there’s a dual height luggage area floor with parcel shelf to hide luggage and valuables.
Without any faff, all versions of the Ceed are well equipped and feature a package of comfort, convenience and safety items.
A USB fast charger, for example, is provided on the front centre console and is illuminated to make it easier to use at night.
Cupholders are provided in the rear armrest for rear seat occupants, as well as at the front, in the centre console.
Technology includes a 10.25in touchscreen, satellite navigation with telematics, European mapping, and traffic messaging channel, along with Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom Live.
This system also offers a reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines, DAB radio, Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming, together with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility with voice control.
Also standard are LED front fog lights, LED headlights, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors in body colour with LED indicators, a high gloss black front grille, chrome window surrounds, and LED rear lights.
The following is worth repeating: Kia set a new benchmark in 2007 when it launched this model with an industry-best seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. That was subsequently extended to every model. In 2023, from Kia comes the EV9, the South Korean carmaker’s latest electric model based on the same E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) technology as the EV6.
By 2027, Kia has plans to globally introduce 14 fully electric models across the line-up, as part of its sales strategy. Nine of these models will make their way to UK shores.
