DESPITE using way too much punctuation the Kia pro_cee'd spells success when it comes to a sleek-styled compact family hatchback.

The second generation of the three-door model offers coupe-like styling thanks to it being more than an inch lower than the model it is based on - the five-door c'eed.

Kia has attempted to make the pro_cee'd stand out from the crowd as much as possible. This starts with the specification levels - S, SE and super sporty GT - rather than the numerical designations applied to virtually every other model range the Koreans make.

With fierce competition in the sector including the likes of the VW Scirocco and Vauxhall Astra GTC, looks are critical and the pro_cee'd meets this challenge head on, benefiting from what the Korean company calls the Schreyer Effect.

This refers to the sleek looks inspired by design chief Peter Schreyer - with the front of the car making an immediate impact thanks to the ‘tiger nose' grille and LED daylight running lights.

The drive to make the pro_c'eed stand out from the crowd also includes the power unit with a 1.6-litre direct-injection engine diesel engine under the bonnet of this car boasting an average fuel economy figure for the SE model in excess of 60mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of just 112g/km.

Opt for the S specification oil burner and this increases to more than 70mpg with tax-free emissions of 100g/km.

A 1.6-litre GDi petrol and a 1.6 T-GDi petrol turbo engine - with an abundance of power where you need it in mid range motoring - are also available.

The handling is pretty good with the Flexsteer system offering three settings each of which gives a good feel for what is happening on the road.

The suspension absorbs the humps and hollows afflicting our roads these days while body lean through corners is well controlled. The overall effect is relaxing so tedious long journeys are anything but a chore.

Step into the pro_cee'd and you get a sporty ambience thanks to the piano black facia, fabrics in black and grey, plus black headlining.

As with all Kia models, the pro_cee'd gets lots of goodies with air conditioning fitted as standard with the SE version I drove also benefiting from sat nav, 17-inch alloys and a reversing camera.

The dashboard layout is fairly standard with everything where you expect it to be and the driver benefits from a good range of seat and steering wheel adjustment so getting comfortable isn't an issue.

Despite being a three-door model with a streamlined look the pro_c'eed is surprisingly spacious with lots of headroom. Legs and shoulders are also well accommodated and access to the rear is easy as the front seats can be slid and folded forward in one movement.

The wide-opening hatchback reveals an above-average luggage space ranging from 380 to 1,225 litres with a decent amount of space available under the boot floor.

The pro_cee'd is pretty competitive on price while the excellent seven-year/100,000 mile warranty gives motoring peace of mind.