Motoring Editor MALCOLM BAYLIS enjoys the ride in the first diesel car in Kia's range.

IN the past it has been too easy for some motoring magazines and columnists to write off the Kia range of cars. In fact, truth be known, they are worth keeping an eye on, especially if the chequebook is under pressure.

Latest to join the growing range is the Cerato diesel, which not only puts on a brave face when it comes to competing against other more household names, but shows them a thing or two when it comes to laying out the cash and then coughing up the motoring expenses while on the road.

There was a time when the company's boast of low prices was not matched by the build quality of its cars (think Shuma and Mentor), but that's history now.

The Cerato diesel provides a high specification for not much money by today's standards, and should give similar-sized cars from Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot, Toyota and even Ford room for thought.

It's a bit of a goer on the open road, manoeuvres pretty well while negotiating the narrow and crowded city lanes and, all in all, is far more nimble and fleet of wheel than first impressions might give.

The test car that came my way was the 1.5-litre CRDi LX, producing 100bhp, which is really quite enough for the job. It is the first diesel-powered car in Kia's line-up, and is pushed along by a specially developed four-cylinder 16-valve clean and economical common rail unit.

However, competing in the diesel market is certainly not going to be a walkover for Kia: it is one of the most fiercely fought segments in the country, but most of the opposition at the moment comes from more expensive brands. The entry-level Cerato GS spec hatchback comes in at £10,245 on the road, at least £1,845 cheaper than the next cheapest competitor, in this case the Renault Megane 1.5-litre CDi 80hp five-door (and bear in mind the Cerato provides even more power). There is also a LX version for £10,995, adding more equipment, such as fog lights, and available in either saloon or hatchback styles.

Performance and economy figures for the Cerato are not the best, certainly when put up against some of the competitors, but it does beat most and also goes on to score highly in other aspects, for example equipment levels: airbags, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, heated electric door mirrors, powered windows all round and, most important for the young drivers, a CD player with MP3.

The 1,493cc-engine delivers its maximum power at 4,000rpm, out kicking the Vauxhall Astra 1.7-litre CDTi with 80hp, and the SEAT Leon 1.9-litre TDI and Ford Focus 1.6-litre TDCi both with 90hp, although it does not have its own way with other competitors such as the Nissan Almera 2.2-litre DCi and the Fiat Stilo 1.9-litre JTD, both topping 100hp.

Matched to a manual gearbox only, the diesel unit has been finely tuned for economy and its combined figure of 57.6mpg, a figure provided by Kia, certainly slots it into the serious money-saving side of the family budget and, although it beats several of its competitors, it can't win them all because there are better fuel savers from Renault, Toyota and Ford.

However, where it does score spectacularly well is with its CO2 figures that are lower than most and, therefore, seen as ideal for the fleet market. It will attract an 18 per cent benefit-in-kind rating. Therefore a company driver on the standard tax rate will pay at most £429, while those in the 40 per cent bracket will pay up to £781, figures that should bring a welcome smile to many.

Although there is nothing really eye-catching about the interior, it is still quite comfortable and roomy, that is for both front and back passengers. Headroom is 1017mm and rear legroom 898mm. In addition, the driver's seat is height adjustable, as are all the head restraints.

Adding to the ride and drive comfort are such benefits as power steering, tilt adjustable steering wheel, sun visors with covered vanity mirrors, front door courtesy lamps and plenty of cup holders.

When it comes to safety there's all round disc brakes, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, together with six airbags, driver and front passenger and side and curtain, and front and side impact beams, while security includes engine immobiliser as well as locking wheel nuts.

Finally, luggage room is about1494-litres with the 60-40 split seats down, and 538-litres with them in place, good figures at first glance, but, possibly, a bit on the optimistic side, unless it means loading to the car's roof level.

Fact file:

Model: Kia Cerato LX

Price: £10,995

Dimensions: Length 4340mm, width 1735mm, height 1470mm, wheelbase 2610mm.

Suspension: MacPherson strut at front, dual link rear, gas shock absorber.

Brakes: Disc all round, anti-lock.

Steering: Rack and pinion.

Engine: four cylinders. 16-valve, 1.5-litre diesel, 1493cc. Common rail direct injection.

Maximum power: 100.6bhp at 4,000rpm; maximum torque 235Nm at 2,000rpm.

Economy: 44.1mpg urban, 70.6mpg extra; 57.6mpg combined.

Emission: CO2 128g/km

Performance: 0-62mph 12.5 seconds; top speed 108mph.

Insurance group: Seven.

Service: Every 10,000 miles or yearly.

Updated: 11:22 Friday, June 24, 2005