What makes the hot hatch segment so fiercely competitive today is that established players such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST dominate the conversation. But the Kia Ceed GT is not as powerful, and sets out to be a sportier version of the standard Ceed. However, does it have the power to go head to head with the big names in the category? Others say it's not as fast or as good as its rivals, but it provides a more accessible and cheaper way in for sporty hatchbacks. Many say it’s not exciting enough in terms of driving dynamics. The other question is one of brand perception: can Kia shake off its 'budget' image and be taken seriously in the performance car market?