Kia Ceed review
The Kia Ceed is a great family car that’s well-engineered and has a spacious interior. It offers fantastic value for money and has a striking front grill.
Pros
- Well equipped across the range
- Fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines
- Various body styles to choose from
Cons
- It's not as good to drive as main rivals
- The seats aren't the most supportive
- The GT isn't as sporty as it looks
Summary
“The wide range of models and trim levels means there should be a Ceed to suit you.”
The Kia Ceed is a compact hatch that's renowned for its great value for money, long warranties and unique styling.
Featuring Kia’s tiger nose grille, it has a distinctive look with lots of edges and a dynamic feel. It’s also great to drive and has a high level of standard equipment.
The third-generation arrived in 2018 with superb styling and an upmarket interior. It also has great technology including a rear view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and autonomous emergency braking.
It’s available as a hatchback, a Sportswagon estate, a sleek three-door ProCeed and as a sporty GT version.
The choice of models is extensive, trim levels are numbered from 1 to 4 and there are a few others such as the Sporty G-Line versions. All versions include air con and safety systems such as ABS. Move through the range and there are features such as sat nav and cruise control.
What’s the interior like?
“All Ceed models have good interiors with an extensive range of equipment.”
The Ceed has a well laid out interior with quality materials which look and feel good. The dashboard has a well-positioned centre console with all the buttons within reach. Some controls are also on the steering wheel so you can stay focused on the road ahead.
The interior trim detailing adds an upmarket feel, while the comfortable seats offer lots of adjustment, making it good for local and long-distance drives.
The equipment levels are superb, even basic models have air con and a USB port, but go for the level 3 spec if you want the seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The back seats will easily fit three adults and boot space is generous. The Ceed and ProCeed versions offer 380 litres of space which is big enough for several bags. Opting for the Sportswagon estate provides you with even more room at 528 litres, which is expandable to 1,642. The higher spec models have a useful load securing system which stops your luggage from moving around on a journey.
The interior of the 2018 generation is even more premium with an upgraded design, materials and Bluetooth connectivity.
What’s it like to drive?
“Comfortable driving on all types of road.”
All Kia Ceeds excel at providing a comfortable ride over a wide range of surfaces and distances.
The GT models are more sporty, featuring turbocharged petrol engines, firmer suspension and the looks to match.
There’s a range of engine choices, particularly in the regular Ceed hatch. There is also a 1.4 GDi petrol and a 1.6 CRDi diesel, but the 1.0-litre ecoTurbo petrol stands out for its efficiency and performance at lower speeds.
All Ceeds are easy to drive but are more focussed on comfort than driving performance. Some models will also feature Kia’s Eco Pack, which provides a number of features to reduce emissions and improve fuel consumption.
Is it cost-efficient to buy and run?
“Great economy throughout the range and competitive servicing costs.”
Pricing for all the Ceed models is very competitive and provides excellent value. Fuel consumption on all but the GT models is excellent and some models will have the Eco Pack so will be even more efficient.
With many items covered under the extensive warranty and some new owners having added a service plan, the Ceed can be very kind to your budget. Kia servicing costs are also very competitive and insurance costs are lower than some main rivals.
How reliable and safe is it?
“Brilliant warranty when new shows Kia’s commitment to reliability.”
Kia has a great reputation for reliability and the Ceed models are no exception. The seven-year/100,000 mile warranty is likely to have a bit of time to run for added peace of mind.
Euro NCAP gave the Ceed five stars in its crash test and it features lots of safety equipment, including traction control systems which help the car avoid skidding to hill start assist. In the latest generation, there are also active safety systems such as lane keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking.
Which one is best for you?
Best for economy - 1.6 CRDi
Best for family - Sportswagon 1.0T 3
Best for fun - ProCeed GT
There’s a great choice of models and so many engine choices, plus an extensive range of variants. The Sportswagon is great if you need more space. The ProCeed is a more sporty looking three-door and then there’s a great looking coupé estate in the latest generation.
The 1.0-litre turbo engines are the pick of the bunch as they’re really efficient while still delivering all your driving needs. Go for a diesel if you drive more than 12,000 miles per year. Trim level 2 is a great package as it comes with equipment such as sat nav and parking sensors making it excellent value for money.
