Estate cars have a pretty limited appeal in this country but Kia, the Korean manufacturer, intends to broaden the appeal of its popular Cee'd model by introducing an estate version.
The car has already been a success story for Kia thanks to attractive pricing, good equipment levels and the first seven-year "bumper to bumper warranty".
Kia in Ireland hopes the new estate will appeal to new customers whose lifestyles require neither a people carrier nor a full commercial mini-van. The estate has the same wheelbase as the five-door hatchback version but the body has been lengthened by 235 mm.
The result is a car that has an identity of its own as an estate, but is also very practical. It has a very generous boot and access and loading are particularly easy.
Like other Cee'd cars, the estate is built in a European factory and the fact that Kia's range now has a more European profile is helping sales (in 2003 the company sold 996 units here and this year the total will be over 4,400) and Kia now has "the freshest range around" according to managing director, James Brooks.
He also confirmed at the launch of the estate that the success of the appeal of the seven-year, or 150,000 kilometres, warranty has meant it is "here to stay". The estate car will come with two engine choices and one trim level, which will include 16-inch alloy wheels, half leather upholstery and air conditioning.
The 1.4-litre petrol engines produce 109bhp, and the 1.6-litre diesel produces 113bhp.
Both cars drive well and the benefits of independent suspension on the front and rear give it an assured ride and handling character.
Traction control and a stability programme are also fitted.
The estate is not exactly filled with character and it is by no means as cheap and cheerful as some Korean cars on the market. The inside is well finished and practical.
Seats are comfortable and the rear seats in the estate are actually very generous.
Both the Cee'd hatchback and the estate stand up to comparison with serious competition from the likes of the Toyota Corolla in terms of styling and equipment.
With the kind of equipment standard on Cee'd models and the pricing of the estate - the petrol costs €21,995 and the diesel a very competitive €24,395 - Kia is putting some pressure on several manufacturers. This is also helped by an extensive dealer network.
Further sales expansion is likely when the company launches a competitor for Nissan's Qashqai next year.