After eight months testing the Ceed, I thought that there was nothing left to surprise me.

But I recently discovered a storage place for sunglasses, just below the interior light switches (pictured below); simply press a button and the storage holder pops down.

It’s a small touch but it’s an indication of the attention to detail that Kia has made with the Ceed.

There are lots of other practical features that I like, such as the hooks in the boot for shopping bags – including a hook on the underside of the parcel shelf – and the placement of cubby holes and cup holders.

I’ve also come to appreciate how comfortable the driver’s seat is after driving a Nissan Juke for a week. I like a seat with padding that moulds around your back and I felt the difference when I switched back into the Ceed.

There are other features which Kia has thought of that a driver might take for granted, such as the way that the fuel filler cap opens.

Kia has opted for the European preference for the fuel filler cap to be linked to the central locking system so that it can be opened with just a push rather than a separate release lever inside the car.

Again, it’s a small touch that shows the thought that has gone into the Ceed.

On the downside, my fuel economy has dipped slightly in recent weeks from 54.1mpg to 53.3mpg after a spell of short journeys.