The GT is the sportiest version of Kia’s Ceed but don’t be fooled into that it’s going to deliver hot-hatch level performance because, with 201bhp and 265Nm or torque, it simmers rather than scintillates.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It’s very closely related to the engine used in the previous model with output figures that are almost identical. In my review car it’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The new Ceed is lower and wider than the model it replaces, with the previous car’s curves replaced with strong, straight lines.

It sports a unique bumper design at the front with larger air intakes and gloss black trim along its base. Like the standard Ceed, the GT retains the signature four-lamp ice-cube LED daytime running lights while the tiger-nose grille has been updated for the new model with a dark chrome surround and discreet GT logo. The grille also sports subtle red highlights.

There’s a new bumper at the back too, beneath which sits a small gloss black diffuser and a pair of large chrome-tipped exhausts. A subtle roof-spoiler completes the sporty look at the rear.

The side profile is enhanced with more substantial side sills finished in gloss black and red and 18in alloy wheels that feature a castellated centre cap, also finished in red, behind which sit brake callipers that are, again, painted red. The Ceed GT rides 5mm lower than other models in the range, lowering the centre of gravity and, in the process, giving it a more planted look than its siblings.

The springs have been stiffened and the anti-roll bars softened, changes that Kia claims help the tyres maintain a more consistent contact with the road during hard driving. Those red callipers grip 320mm discs at the front – up from 288mm – that are also thicker to help prevent fade from repeated heavy use.

The cabin gets some subtle upgrades to differentiate it from the standard car. There’s red stitching weaving its way through the seat bolsters, flat-bottomed steering wheel and gear lever gator. The leather/suede sports seats are snug and supportive. Adjustments are manual but there’s enough flexibility in both the seat and the steering wheel to find a good driving position. The aluminium pedals are nicely positioned too.

The interior draws its inspiration from the company’s four-door coupe, the Stinger. The main components of the dash are laid out horizontally to maximise space for front seat passenger and provide a more aesthetically pleasing fascia.

Multimedia functions are accessed via a 4.2in touchscreen mounted on top of the dashboard, a favoured position for displays these days and with good reason: It makes it much easier to glance across and absorb information without taking your eyes off the road.

There’s a much greater quantity of soft-touch materials on display, given the passenger space a more premium feel. The upgraded cabin is a clear improvement over the previous model and competitive among most of the Ceed’s peers but it doesn’t quite stand comparison with the very best in its class.

Equipment levels are generous. The seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel are heated, and there’s more leather on the gear knob. You get a full quota of LED lights, unique 18in alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, dual zone air con, cruise control and speed limiter, Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six-speaker audio system with DAB radio, rear view camera and parking assist and high beam assist as well as a number of driver safety systems.

Start the engine and you’re greeted with a appropriately bass-filled burble, even in ‘Normal’ drive mode. Switch to Sport, and the backing track is turned up a notch. Like many manufacturers, Kia has included a sound augmentation system that pipes the exhaust noise through the car’s speakers but, unlike some systems, it manages to sound reasonably natural. That’s great news, because those two fat pipes emit an entertaining warble under hard acceleration.

The sprint to 62mph takes 7.2 seconds. That time that isn’t going to trouble the quickest of hot hatches but it’s rapid enough to bring a smile to your face. You’ll have to work the engine hard to get the most out of it, but its free-revving nature ensures that’s never a chore.

Of course, power without poise is about as welcome as a Sunday roast without all the trimmings so it’s reassuring to find that the Ceed GT has ample. String a series of corners together and it rewards you with strong grip on turn-in and a willingness to change direction quickly and with a minimum of fuss.

At the limit there’s a neutral, adjustable balance that provides plenty of encouragement to push on. The ride, which is more relaxed and compliant than in hardcore hot hatches, helps here by soaking up bumps in the surface rather than bouncing from one to another.

It isn’t all sunshine and roses, though. The steering doesn’t deliver much in the way of feedback, leaving the driver guessing at precisely what is going on beneath the front wheels, and there are times when the ESP system becomes a little too intrusive and overbearing.

The biggest disappointment is the manual gearbox. The shift isn’t a slick and precise as you would hope and the revs hang for too long, giving the impression that the clutch is slipping during every upshift. It isn’t something that slows progress, it just makes it a little less satisfying.

The Ceed GT rides a line somewhere between standard machinery and a full-fat hot hatch. It manages to combine a compliant, comfortable ride with fun, precise handling. Perfect, then, for an enthusiastic driver who doesn’t want to make the compromises that owning one of the more extreme fast hatchbacks inevitably brings. Add in the competitive price, lengthy warranty and generous equipment list and the Ceed GT and it makes a sound case for consideration if you’re in the market for a performance hatchback.

Model: Kia Ceed GT 1.6 T-GDi

Price: £25,535

Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl turbo petrol

Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive

Power: 201bhp

Max torque: 265Nm

0-62mph: 7.2 seconds

Top speed: 143mph

Economy: 38.2mpg

CO2: /155g/km

For more information visit www.kia.co.uk