Kia Procee’d GT – A First High Performance Model

Warmed-up three-door marks Kia’s entry into the performance hatch fray

The Procee’d GT represents several firsts for Kia. Having established a solid model range and strong brand image, it’s time for Korean car maker to dip its toe pond.

This sleek three-door is powered by the first turbocharged engine to be dropped into one of Kia’s European vehicles. It’s based on the naturally aspirated 1.6 found in the regular Procee’d, but the addition of the twin-scroll turbo has more than doubled its power output. It develops 201bhp at 6000rpm and 195lb ft of torque between 1750rpm and 450rpm.

The Procee’d GT represents several firsts for Kia

The suspension, steering, brakes and gearbox have all been reworked, and a host of sporty cosmetic add-ons have been applied inside and out. Two trim levels are offered, with the base GT spec coming in at just under $30k.

The cabin features styling cues that have become bywords for sporting hatches stainless steel pedals, red stitching, suede but because of that it feels a bit like a facsimile of its rivals. Mind you, the Recaro seats are a pleasant surprise, and the dash houses a neat TFT display that allows you to flip between an old-fashioned analogue speedo or a screen that shows your speed numerically along with torque level, turbo boost pressure and engine temperature.

The Procee’d GT’s performance places it at the milder end of the performance hatch spectrum, but the turbocharged engine is pleasant and provides a steady surge of power from fairly low revs. Note, that’s ‘steady’, not ‘rocket ship rapid’. Similarly, the cabin is well insulated from the sporty engine note – perhaps too much so for a car that should be instilling drama to its driver’s senses.

The Procee’d GT’s performance places it at the milder end of the performance hatch spectrum

The suspension has been returned to suit the more sporting set-up. Such tweaks often come with an attendant reduction in ride quality, but not so with the Procee’d GT, which runs on 18in wheels yet rides smoothly and is never crashy. Our test through southern France took place on roads that are smoother than those in the UK, but on this evidence Kia has achieved a good balance between sporting prowess and comfort.

It feels composed during cornering and displays good body control, while direction changes are purposeful and fun without being fidgety. It’s an easy car to place on the road with confidence. The brakes don’t feel as effective as those fitted to cars at the top of this class, although only intense driving shows up their limitations. The steering is a little light, especially at high speeds, but the Kia is sufficiently communicative to make driving it pleasurable.

It’s an easy car to place on the road with confidence

Kia has steered clear of the territory inhabited by the Vauxhall Astra VXR and Ford Focus ST, and says it has engineered the Procee’d GT with everyday usability in mind. That might not be hot enough for some tastes, but nevertheless, at $30,000 it is an excitingly quick, generously equipped and well-rounded car.