Kia XCeed hatchback review
"The Kia XCeed manages to look more stylish and ride more comfortably than the Ceed on which it’s based”
Pros
- Comfortable suspension
- Attractive styling
- Well equipped
Cons
- Some safety kit limited to top trims
- Not much larger than standard Ceed
- PHEV has a smaller boot
Verdict - Is the Kia XCeed a good car?
The Kia XCeed is better looking than the normal Ceed and more fun to drive than a Stonic, so it's not lacking in desirability. However, the lack of engine choices is limiting, and a conventional estate or SUV would both be more practical. Ultimately, it’s likely to come down to which body style you prefer but, if the XCeed is your favourite, we think the 1.5-litre petrol in '3' trim represents the pick of the range.
Kia XCeed models, specs and alternatives
Previous generations of the Kia Ceed were available as either hatchbacks or estates. The Ceed range has expanded for the latest models; with the Kia XCeed crossover and Kia ProCeed shooting brake now giving customers more choice. The popularity of the XCeed isn’t surprising given the fashion trend for SUVs, and it now makes up around 10 per cent of Kia’s total sales here. It was also voted as the UK’s favourite car, coming top overall in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey.
Based on the hatchback but 44mm taller and with a striking new design, the XCeed's body only shares its front doors with the Ceed. It has a longer, taller bonnet, a new grille and bumpers with a skid-plate style finish. It's also fitted with LED headlights as standard and black wheel arches to complement its taller suspension and chunky wheels and tyres. A facelift for 2022 updated its looks and technology, while also adding a new GT-line S trim level.
Rival crossover models range from lightly toughened-up hatchbacks like the Ford Focus Active to the Toyota C-HR, Mazda CX-30 and Mercedes GLA. The Kia XCeed is one of the best-value options, though, as it costs less than £1,000 more than an equivalent Ceed.
On the road, the effects of the XCeed’s taller, softer suspension, are actually quite positive. Thanks to modifications to the way it works, the chassis soaks up bumps better than the Ceed, resulting in a smooth and relaxing car in which to cover miles. There's a bit more body lean but it's less than that of a standard SUV and doesn’t ruin the driving experience, while the steering feels accurate.
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The available engines have been temporarily streamlined due to production constraints, with the base 1.0-litre petrol not currently offered in the UK. In early 2021, the 138bhp 1.4-litre T-GDI petrol was replaced by a 1.5-litre engine with an increased power output of 158bhp, and this is expected to make up the bulk of sales for the time being. The 1.6-litre CRDi diesel is also no longer available.
The Kia XCeed plug-in hybrid has the best on-paper efficiency, and should help company-car drivers to reduce their monthly outgoings thanks to its low CO2 emissions figure. It uses the same petrol/electric powertrain as the Kia Niro SUV, and is officially capable of an electric-only driving range of around 30 miles. The car’s battery eats into the space available, though, and it doesn’t offer the strong straight-line performance found in some other plug-in hybrids.
Interior space is roughly on a par with the Ceed but the boot increases in size to 426 litres and higher-spec models get a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench to boost flexibility. The dashboard is mostly carried over from the facelifted Ceed, with a new 10.25-inch infotainment screen with a sharper display and faster responses. Top-spec models of the XCeed also get Kia's new 12.3-inch digital instruments, which look sharp but lack some of the customisation rivals boast.
Equipment levels are strong. Trim levels kick off with a '2' version, which features 16-inch alloy wheels, LED tail-lights and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The '3' model adds 18-inch wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment setup, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel along with part-leather upholstery. Introduced in 2022, the GT-Line S looks more aggressive, and gets highlights including a panoramic sunroof, digital gauges and an upgraded JBL stereo.
Its slight shortcomings in terms of practicality and fuel-efficiency don’t matter to owners, it seems. The XCeed was ranked the new best car to own in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, with sky-high scores in every section. In fact, seven Kia models came in the top 20 of our 75-car list.
