IF a motoring style could be related in song, some cars would be a dirge while others would be a concerto.

Our latest review car, a Kia ProCeed GT, delivered for a week-long road test as the nationwide lockdown eased, brought to mind cool electronica, a thoroughly modern soundtrack for a car that has real present-day presence.

It seems like many years ago now that the South Korean manufacturer’s models were seen as worthy, reliable, but somewhat lacking in the looks department. Cars you bought with your head rather than your heart.

But those days are long gone, and the company’s designers have the knack of being very much on song in the style stakes. The Sportage SUV is a case in point, pulling in buyers with its blend of strong engineering, tons of kit - and desirable design.

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And the same can be said for the ProCeed, which has the space and versatility of a tourer in a five-door ‘shooting brake’ bodystyle. Low, lean and lithe, its stance and proportions are athletic, with a dynamic coupé-like shape .

Sporty style-cues abound from ‘ice cube’ LED front daytime running lights to rear spoiler and high-gloss black door mirrors.

The interior boasts high-quality materials throughout, with a higher proportion of soft-touch materials and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift. There are sporty touches such as aluminium pedals.

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More than 1.3million examples of the Ceed family have been sold in Europe since 2006, making it one of Kia’s best-selling models alongside the Sportage, and the all new ProCeed further widens the model’s appeal.

As ever with Kia, there is a wealth of great, usable equipment, including reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, smart cruise control, automatic headlight control, rain-sensing windscreen wipers with de-ice function, electrically folding and heated door mirrors with LED indicators, exterior front door handle illumination, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, automatic window de-fogging, USB fast-charger, smart park-assist system with front and rear parking sensors, and 10.25in touch-screen satnav with connected services.

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Practicality? You will find features including a 12-volt power socket in the front centre console (which has a sliding cover and storage box), rear coat hooks, cupholders aplenty, front seatback pockets, and securing hooks and a light for the load area which has a capacity of 594 litres.

Safety? Among the hi-tech features there are: hill-start assist control, driver attention warning, high-beam assist, emergency stop signalling and a forward collision avoidance system operating at city traffic speeds.

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All ProCeed engines are turbocharged and meet the latest Euro 6d emissions regulations. Our test car was was a 1.6 T-GDi, it’s gutsy four-cylinder petrol engine putting out 201bhp and achieving 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 140mph while returning 39.3 mpg combined with a co2 figure of 163g/km (manufacturer’s figures).

The car lays down its power smoothly thanks to a slick seven-speed automatic transmission with a selectable ‘sport mode’ to enhance progress if required.

I found the driving experience really satisfying, with plenty of go, responsive handling and reassuring ride. The car is at home in all motoring scenarios – happily tootling around town, taking on the motorway gallop with ease and sure-footed when negotiating twisting country roads.

So, there’s lots to enjoy, and a seven-year warranty for peace of mind.

Price: £28,615 on the road.