Thinking of getting a Kia Ceed?
The style of the car
The Ceed is a compact family car that’s available as a five-door hatchback or as an estate that Kia calls ‘Sportswagon’. An all-new version was launched in 2018 with different styling and an improved interior. Spin-offs from the Ceed include the sporty ProCeed (originally a coupe, now a sleek estate) and XCeed crossover. Ceed GT-Line and GT models have a sportier look.
How it drives
The Ceed is a reassuring, comfortable car to drive. It feels solid on the road and is compact enough to make it easy to nip around town and to park. The Sportswagon is longer, but still very car park-friendly, and all but the entry-level Ceed 1 model have rear parking sensors. Petrol and diesel engines are available, all of which give sufficient performance for confident motorway driving. Some are available with an automatic gearbox. The sporty GT model is entertainingly fast.
The interior
The hatchback and estate versions of the Ceed have five doors and five seats and are about the same size as the Ford Focus versions. The interiors are roomy enough for most families, although some rivals have more legroom in the back row. Boot space is above average, with the hatchback giving you enough for four medium suitcases and the estate having room for six. The back seats of both the hatchback and estate fold down for more space. Interior quality is good, although the latest model has a more premium, high-tech feel. All models have air con, electric windows and Bluetooth connectivity. High-spec models have climate control and sat nav.
Running costs
The Ceed range gives you a choice of several petrol and diesel engines. Petrol engines give official fuel economy of around 45-50mpg, while diesels give at least 55mpg and as much as 70mpg with some models. Tax and insurance costs are very low. Safety experts Euro NCAP awarded the older Ceed a full five-star rating in 2012. The latest version scored four stars because it lacks some of the advanced driver safety systems that are central to newer, tougher tests. High-spec models have those systems, though, and score five stars.
How it compares with similar cars
The Ceed’s rivals include the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. It’s not as much fun to drive as those cars and there are fewer engines and trim options to choose from, but the Ceed is a great all-rounder, giving you excellent value for money. It also comes with a seven-year warranty from new that none of those rivals can match.
