The Kia Ceed is a hatchback produced by Kia since 2006, exclusively for the European market, and is now in its third generation. The third generation Kia Ceed hatchback was unveiled in 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show with the shooting brake version, the ProCeed, following in 2019 alongside the crossover SUV XCeed.
The Ceed range all fall into the family car class but the only Kia Ceed to retain its focus on the traditional compact car is the Ceed hatchback. However, Kia Ceed cars offer an excellent variety of models for different uses and personalities.
Our Kia Ceed review highlights some of the key features and technologies available on the third generation Kia Ceed, read on for more information!
The K2 platform is the base for the Kia Ceed, Hyundai i20, Kia Rio and the rest of the Ceed range.
At the front of the Kia Ceed is the instantly recognisable "tiger-nose" grille, a design element that proudly states the brand and provides a focal point. Flanking this is the sleek and purposeful LED headlights. Beneath is the sculpted front bumper, designed to play a big part in aerodynamics, reduce drag and improve fuel economy. Plus it gives the car a dynamic stance and presence on the road.
At the back of the Kia Ceed is a strong design statement, dominated by the rear light clusters. 48 individual honeycomb LEDs make up these lights which create a modern looking shape, so the car is easily recognisable day or night. The sequential indicators add an extra touch of style as they light up. Below is the glossy black rear diffuser which adds a bit of sportiness to the lower bumper and ties in with the dark elements of the lights.
The interior of the Kia Ceed is designed specifically around the driver, with soft-touch surfaces and a sensible layout that makes it easy to use as you drive.
All models have a 10.25 touchscreen system in the centre console which houses the integrated sat nav and infotainment system and thanks to a USB connection port you can use Apple Carplay or Android Auto to utilise compatible apps on your phone if you prefer those.
The driver benefits from either a 4.2 inch or 12.3 inch (model dependent) driver display that allows you to highlight the most important information to you whether that's your current speed, fuel efficiency, or the music that you have playing.
Speaking of music, there's an 8-speaker JBL premium sound system available which delivers high quality sound thanks to eight speakers and advanced Clari-Fi music restoration technology. This allows you to enjoy music, podcasts, or audiobooks on every journey with clear playback throughout the Kia Ceed's cabin.
The front seats offers a variety of comfort options across the range which includes heated front seats and a leather covered heated steering wheel. The seat upholstery varies depending on the trim level you choose but has a full cloth option, cloth and artificial leather option, or cloth and suede option.
The Kia Ceed's boot space is 395 litres with all seats in use but folding down the rear seats opens that rear space up to 1291 litres, plenty of space for some flatpack furniture or other large items you might sometimes need to transport. The rear seat space can also be tailored to fit a combination of cargo and passengers thanks to the 60:40 split rear bench. There is also a little additional space in the boot under floor storage, handy for storing necessary items that you always have in the car.
Additional storage around the cabin comes from the door bins, centre console cupholders and storage box, cupholders in the rear armrest, and the front seatback pockets. Lots of handy little places to keep the things that you need on every journey without the car becoming cluttered.
The current Kia Ceed offers just one option in its engine range; a 1.5 T-GDi ISG which is a turbocharged petrol engine with a gasoline direct injection (GDi) and an idle stop and go (ISG) system. This is available as either a six speed manual gearbox or a seven speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
It has 252Nm of torque at 3000rpm which translates to 138bhp. Across the range of trim levels and wheel sizes, combined fuel economy peaks at 50.4mpg for the manual gearbox and 47.9mpg for the automatic transmission. Meanwhile CO2 emissions fall between 128g/km and 131g/km for the manual transmission and 134g/km and 142g/km for the automatic gearbox.
The previously mentioned ISG system reduces fuel consumption by stopping and restarting the engine automatically, with the restart occurring as soon as specific conditions are met.
Kia explains that when the car slows down to a speed below 5 km/h or is temporarily stopped at a red light or at a standstill, releasing the clutch in neutral (in manual cars) will immediately shut down the engine. When you then press the clutch again and shift the gear the engine will automatically restart.
For automatic transmission, depressing the brake pedal when at a standstill or at a red light will automatically turn of the engine and releasing the brake pedal will turn the engine back on automatically.
The Kia Ceed is currently available with four different trim levels: 2,3, GT-Line, and GT-Line S.
The entry level Kia Ceed is the 2 which offers a great range of equipment that externally includes 16 inch alloy wheels, automatic halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights including high mounted brake lights, rear fog lights, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a gloss black radiator grille, heated rear window, rear wiper, and a rear spoiler. There are also rear parking sensors and a rear view camera system.
Inside is black cloth seat trim, manual seat adjustment for the front seats, leather steering wheel with manual adjustment, electric front and rear windows with one-touch driver's window, manual air conditioning, auto-dimming rear view mirror, 10.25 inch touchscreen navigation with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connection, multiple USB and USB-C ports, 4.2 inch driver display screen, and free 7 year Kia Connect Services.
Upgrading to the '3' trim brings a blend of style and comfort. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels and LED lighting, including front fog lights, for a more refined look and better visibility. Comfort is prioritized with heated front seats, electric lumbar support, and a heated steering wheel. Practical additions include power-folding and heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, and rain-sensing wipers, while keyless entry and automatic climate control enhance convenience.
The Kia Ceed GT-Line trim shares many of the features of the 3 trim but adds specific GT-Line features. These include 17 inch alloy wheels with GT-Line Styling, GT-Exterior Styling, LED rear lights with honeycomb design and sequential indicators, gloss black door mirrors, gloss black and dark chrome radiator grille, GT-Line Side Skirts, GT-Line interior styling, alloy pedals, black headlining, and electric handbrake.
It's worth noting that the GT-Line models do not have the start/stop button with the smart entry system.
Top spec GT-Line S models offer all of the options of the GT-Line and additionally have 18 inch alloy wheels with GT-Line Styling, sunroof with tilting and sliding function with an electric blind, black leather and suede upholstery, heated outer rear seats, electric driver's seat adjustment with memory function, a 12.3 inch driver display screen, 8-speaker JBL premium sound system, wireless phone charger, and front and rear parking sensors.
Euro NCAP gave the standard Ceed a four star safety rating, which places it on par with other hatchbacks such as the Peugeot 408, Vauxhall Astra, or DS4. They also tested it with a safety pack, which appears to be the additional features that are include in higher trim levels where it was given a five star safety rating, on par with models such as the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, or Volkswagen Golf.
Standard safety features on Kia Ceed models includes forward collision assistance, lane keeping assistance, cruise control, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, anti-lock braking system with automatic emergency braking, electronic stability control, and hill start assist.
Top trim levels additionally offer tyre pressure monitoring system, safe exit warning, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assistance, blind spot collision avoidance assistance, and front parking sensors.
Kia also offers a 7 year warranty on all new cars which has limited mileage in the first 36 months and then limited to 100,000 miles in months 37 to 84. Kia are incredibly passionate in their belief in their product which is why this is available on every new vehicle and is a much better offer than many other manufacturers currently have.
At time of writing, the Kia Ceed cost starts at £23,105 and moves up to £31,215 for top trim levels. Comparing this to similar models, the Ford Focus starts at £28,500, the VW Golf starts at £27,760, and the Toyota Corolla starts at £30,505. It's worth noting that these models all offer some form of hybrid engine across their range whilst the Ceed does not at the moment, hence the higher price points for these.
Opting to add accessories or make amendments to the standard specifications will increase the price from what is currently listed and must always be taken into account before placing your order. Make sure to discuss any changes with staff before you confirm your purchase.
The Kia Ceed continues to be an excellent choice for a family car in the hatchback segment with excellent equipment options, strong design choices, and a reasonable price point, but also a comfortable and practical interior, a reliable driving experience, and Kia's renowned long warranty, further solidifying its appeal to families looking for a dependable and well-rounded vehicle.
For more information about the new Kia Ceed hatch, contact John Clark Kia Peterhead today. The team are always available to answer any questions you might have about the Kia Ceed including finance and current offers, specifications, and they can also get you into a test drive so that you can get a feel for the car before you buy.
