The KIA Ceed family is one that offers a great model for varying needs be it a 5-door hatch, a more practical estate or more stylish Sportback, KIA even offer the Ceed as a crossover, featuring a more rugged appeal.
Launched in 2019, I first drove the XCeed in 2020 and wasn’t disappointed. Size wise, the XCeed is larger than the brands Stonic model, but smaller than it’s ever popular Sportage. The raised right height and rugged styling would fool you into believing that the XCeed is an SUV, but it is just a unique family hatchback.
Rivals would include the C-HR from Toyota, Volkswagen’s T-Roc and the Arkana from Renault. Price wise, the XCeed is around £4,000 more affordable than the T-Roc. And when it comes to the Hybrid model which can be compared to the other brace, the hybrid XCeed is around £1,000 cheaper than the CH-R, but around £4,500 more expensive than the Arkana.
Offering a lot of on-board tech, excellent build quality and, of course, KIA’s famed 7-year warranty, the XCeed should never be ruled out. It comes with a choice of just two engines, and a total of four trim grades.
Standard features on all models include automatic headlight control, body-coloured bumpers, body coloured exterior door handles, body coloured rear spoiler, black wheel arch trims, heated rear window with timer, LED Bi-function projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear fog lights, LED high mounted brake light, and tinted glass.
Inside you get as standard chrome finish interior door handle, leather trimmed steering wheel & faux leather gearshift, rear centre armrest with cupholders, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and a tilt & telescopic steering wheel adjustment.
In addition, all cars come with 12V power sockets (front and luggage), centre console cupholders, front seatback pockets, luggage hooks, and tyre mobility kit.
Two front USB charge ports feature (one for c-type / one for usb) along with Android Auto with voice control and Apple CarPlay with voice control, Bluetooth, rear console USB c-type charge port, and reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines.
KIA’s safety is in abundance with standard features including ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution & brake assist system, driver attention warning, electronic stability control & vehicle stability management, forward collision-avoidance assist city/pedestrian/cyclist, hill-start assist control, high-beam assist, intelligent stop & go, lane follow assist, and lane keep assist.
With prices starting from £23,770 – the XCeed ‘2’ features 16-inch alloy wheels, 8-inch colour touchscreen and cruise control with speed limiter. A ‘GT-Line’ is priced from £25,770 and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, rain sensing front wipers, remote central door locking with fold-away key, heated front seats and steering wheel, and an electronic parking brake.
Next in the trim levels in a ‘3’ priced from £26,270 which features smart key with engine start/stop button and free 7-year KIA connect services. A range topping ‘GT-Line S’, as tested, starts from £30,770 and adds a 12.3-inch TFT supervision cluster display, panoramic sunroof with tilting / sliding function & automatic electric roll blind, black leather with suede seat upholstery, wireless mobile phone charger, 8-speaker JBL premium sound system, blind-spot collision warning, and intelligent speed limit warning.
If you opt for the plug-in hybrid XCeed, prices start from £33,495 and you only have the choice of an XCeed ‘3’ trim along with automatic gearbox. This 1.6-litre petrol engine is paired to an 8.9 kWh battery to produce 139 bhp.
For all other models, just one single engine is available. And the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine is no slouch. Producing 158 bhp and 253 Nm of torque, 0-60 mph is achievable in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 129 mph. A combined return of 44.8 mpg is claimed for the model tested, and my photo suggests just 35 mpg, but I think over the week I drove the car it was just over 40 mpg.
Overall, I think the KIA XCeed is a great package that offers just enough room for young family life, seating that is super supportive and comfortable. And with more toys than Hamley’s, what’s not to like.
Words and Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
