Kia's trendy XCeed compact family SUV gets an update. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Kia's XCeed has proved useful for this Korean maker in giving the brand yet another option to meet the needs of buyers seeking a stylish, well-equipped compact SUV. Hence the care taken in creating this updated version, which has sportier styling, an enhanced interior and an efficient choice of powertrains. You might feel that this bulging segment doesn't really need any further options but Kia was determined that the Ceed family should offer one and has engineered this smart Crossover contender with characteristic thoroughness.

Background

It's easy to see why Kia is offering this XCeed compact SUV; sales of Crossover models like this are going through the roof just at present. It's less easy to see where it fits within the Korean maker's model line-up. After all, at much the same price point as more affordable XCeed variants, Kia has its Stonic small Crossover. And plusher XCeed derivatives overlap with the brand's Niro SUV hybrids and some versions of the company's mid-sized Sportage SUV. Then of course there are also versions of the Ceed hatch, the Ceed Sportswagon estate and the ProCeed sports estate. Complicated isn't it... What is clear is that the Xceed, launched in 2019, has been a strong seller for the Korean brand, accounting for over 10% of its overall sales. Hence the importance of the mid-term facelift which has created the car we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

For the UK market, Kia has slimmed down the engine range to just two units, dispensing with the previous 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol unit and the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel. Instead, the volume model gets a conventional 1.5-litre T-GDI petrol powerplant with 160PS. The alternative, as before, is a 1.6-litre PHEV powertrain with 141PS, which combines a four cylinder GDI petrol engine with an 8.9kWh battery pack, a 44.5kW electric motor and 6-speed dual clutch auto transmission. The PHEV derivative has a 29 mile EV range - much the same as before. Across the XCeed line-up, not much has changed with regard to ride and handling, though Kia says it's improved the ride over poorer surfaces by adding front hydraulic rebound stoppers. These rubber bump-stops float in hydraulic fluid, absorbing even large suspension shocks with a smooth and progressive response, preventing the body from bouncing as the suspension settles itself after rapid compression. A change to spring rates helps in this area too - they're now 7% softer at the front and 4% softer at the rear than a normal Ceed. Steering feel has received some attention too: the electronic control unit governing the power steering motor has been tuned to deliver a quicker initial response to driver inputs, though Kia has also made response slightly lighter to reduce driver fatigue on longer journeys and at low speeds. As before, there's a 'Drive Mode Select' system with 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' settings so that drivers can fine-tune steering weight, throttle response and (on auto variants) gear shift speeds. And as usual, all XCeeds get lane keep assist and forward collision warning fitted as standard.

Design and Build

If you happen to be familiar with the Xceed, you'll immediately notice the changes that Kia has made to this updated version. The front grille has been restyled, as have the LED headlamps that flank it, plus there's a revised front bumper and air intake design. The dedicated 16 or 18-inch alloys are segment-specific and draw attention to the ground clearance - which is 182mm on the 18-inchers. Otherwise things are much as before. Wheel arch and side sill cladding, along with satin chrome roof rails, lend the car a tough presence. While the wheelbase remains the same as other models in the Ceed line-up at 2,650mm, the XCeed's front and rear overhangs have been extended over the five-door hatchback by 25mm at the front (to 905mm) and 60mm at the rear (to 840mm). The only body panels carried over from its five-door hatchback sibling are the front doors. Inside, the main change applies only to top 'GT-Line'-spec; the addition of a 12.3-inch 'Supervision' digital instrument cluster to replace the analogue dials fitted elsewhere in the range. Across the line-up, Kia says there's a 'sportier' driving position too. As before, there's a 'floating' touchscreen infotainment monitor in the centre of the dash, which is either 8-inch or 10.25-inches (depending on spec), with the bigger screen linking into 'Kia Connect', a system that links drivers to the world around them by providing invaluable information via the in-car touchscreen or through the Kia Connect app. Featuring Kia Live services accessed through the vehicle's infotainment system, Kia Connect uses its own eSIM card to retrieve and update live data during a drive. As before, the sculptured centre console is angled slightly towards the driver and both the ergonomics and the driving position here are difficult to fault. Rear seat space is similar to that of the Ceed hatch, but at 426 litres, the boot is 31-litres larger than it is in that more ordinary variant.

Market and Model

XCeed pricing kicks off from just under £23,000 and rises up to just under £30,000 in conventional form, offered with a choice of '2', '3' and 'GT-Line' trim levels, all featuring manual transmission and Kia's 1.5-litre T-GDI petrol engine. The PHEV plug-in model prices from around £32,500 and only comes with '3'-spec. All versions are well equipped, with even base '2'-spec versions getting 16-inch alloy wheels, LED bi-function headlights and a 7-speaker sound system. There's also cruise control with a speed limiter, a reversing camera and a 'Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist' system with city, pedestrian and cyclist protection. Move up to '3'-spec and you get 18-inch wheels and the base 8-inch infotainment screen is replaced by a more sophisticated 10.25-inch central monitor, plus there's privacy glass, heated front seats and dual-zone air conditioning. From this level upwards, you also get the 'Kia Connect' range of online services so that you can interact with your XCeed via a provided smartphone app. 'GT-Line'-spec gives you a body kit, specific 18-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof and a powered tailgate. Inside, there's an 8-speaker JBL premium audio system, a 12.3-inch Supervision instrument cluster, heated rear seats and upholstery in a combination of black leather and suede. There's also a Blind-spot Collision Warning set-up and a Smart Park Assist System, which can automatically steer you into tight spaces.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the WLTP figures. For the 1.5 T-GDi petrol, expect just over 40mpg on the combined cycle and around 150g/km of CO2. Many XCeed buyers though, will want the 1.6-litre petrol-powered plug-in hybrid version of this car. This delivers 201.8mpg on the combined cycle and 32g/km of CO2. In its EV mode, the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is capable of travelling up to 36 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to recharge its battery pack to 100 per cent using a 3.3kW AC charger. A strong buying incentive is much-trumpeted 7 year / 100,000 warranty which, like the 'Care-3' servicing packages, is transferrable to future owners. However, it is worth pointing out that the warranty only offers unlimited mileage for the first three years you own the car; thereafter, you'll have a 100,000 mileage restriction. If in future, the car is sold through a Kia Used Approved Dealership when less than 18 months old or with less than 18,000 miles on the clock, the warranty will be topped up to match that of a new model. You might also want to note that roadside assistance cover is limited to one year, but you do get a long 12 year bodywork warranty.

Summary

Life is certainly a great deal more interesting for someone wanting to buy a family hatchback-sized car these days. Say what you like about the current SUV craze but it's certainly delivered up much more of a 'want one' factor when it comes to the purchase of a 'C-segment' model like this. And the XCeed delivers this with the kind of smart styling you'd normally expect to have to stretch to a premium brand to get. Especially in this updated form. Likely XCeed buyers will like the looks; they'll appreciate how it's so easy to switch into this car from something more ordinary; and they'll value the long 7 year warranty. In short, if you're shopping for this kind of car, there are plenty of reasons why you might want this one.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Tinted glass

Heated rear window

Variable front intermittent wipers

Rain sensing front wipers

Automatic defog system

All-round Electric Windows with Auto Up & Down Function

Windscreen Washer Level Warning

Privacy glass - Rear windows and tailgate

Brakes

Traction control

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake Assist

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Electronic stability control (ESC) and vehicle stability management (VSM)

Electronic parking brake with auto hold function

Anti-Lock braking system with emergency stop signalling

Communication

Bluetooth with Voice Recognition & Music Streaming

Wireless Mobile Phone Charger

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Driver Aids

Rear parking sensor

Lane keep assist

Speed limiter

Front parking sensor

Driver attention warning

Reversing camera with dynamic guide lines

Motor driven power steering

Smart cruise control with stop and go functionality

Intelligent speed limit assist

Blind spot collision avoidance assist

Safe exit warning (SEW)

Rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist (RCCA)

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) 1.5 - City/Pedestrian/Cyclist/Junction turning

Drive mode select (Normal and Sport)

Lane Follow Assist 1.0

Driver Convenience

Tailgate

Smart power tailgate

Driver Information

Trip computer

12.3" TFT supervision cluster display

Emergency call service

10.25" touchscreen satellite navigation

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Gloss black door mirrors

Wide view drivers door mirror

Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicator lights

Engine

Intelligent Stop and Go

Entertainment

Steering wheel mounted controls

DAB Radio with MP3

JBL Premium sound system with 8 speakers

Front USB port for media connection

Exterior Body Features

Body colour bumpers

Chrome window surround

Body colour rear roof spoiler

Panoramic sunroof with tilt/slide function and automatic electric roll blinds

High gloss black roof rails

Body Colour Exterior Door Handles

Gloss black shark fin antenna

Smaller XCeed badge on rear left hand tailgate

Rear side wing doors

Front and rear chrome skid plates

High glossy black and dark chrome radiator grille

Black side sill mouldings with body coloured inserts

Black wheel arch trim

GT-Line exterior styling

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

High beam assist

LED front fog lights

LED rear fog light

LED High-mounted Brake Light

LED rear lights (Honeycomb design with sequential indicators)

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

Leather steering wheel

Glovebox

Luggage hooks

Chrome interior door handles

Heated steering wheel

Driver and passenger front seat pockets

Cupholders in centre console

Rear centre armrest with cupholders

Alloy pedals

Faux leather door trim

Leather/suede upholstery

Centre Console with Storage Box and Sliding Armrest

Front and rear door storage

Luggage area parcel shelf

Front and luggage area 12V power sockets

Paddle shifter

Faux leather gearshift

Front passenger 1 x USB-C charging port

GT-Line Interior Styling

Manual steering wheel adjustment

Rear passenger 1 x USB-C charging port

Interior Lights

Luggage compartment light

LED front and rear cabin lights

Safety

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Rear door child safety locks

Dual horn

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Impact sensing auto door unlocking

All round 3-point seatbelts

Seatbelt reminder warning

Front passenger airbag cut off switch

Front, side and curtain airbags

Seats

Heated front seats

Heated outer rear seats

40:20:40 split folding rear bench seat

Driver + front passenger electric lumbar support

Driver seat memory function

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Front Passenger Seat Height Adjuster

All-round height adjustable headrests

Driver seat power height adjuster

ISOFIX Child seat top tethers and anchor fixings outer rear seats

Single front passenger seat

Security

Locking wheel nuts

Visible vehicle identification number

Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Entry System

Smart key with motion sensor

Customisable automatic door locking

Customisable automatic door unlocking

Thatcham category 2 security alarm and immobiliser

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated driver and front passenger sunvisors with vanity mirror

Wheels - Alloy

18" GT-Line alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre mobility kit

Emissions - ICE

Particles: 0

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 144

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.034

HC: 0.021

CO: 0.301

Noise Level dB(A): 66

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

CC: 1482

Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - High: 53.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 42.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 44.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 47.1

WLTP - MPG - Low: 34.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 6

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.7

General

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Badge Power: 138

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Order: 0

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Service Interval Mileage: 10000

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 17E

Special Edition: 0

Based On ID: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Generation Mark: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 7

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100000

Coin Description: GDi

Coin Series: GT-Line S

Performance

Top Speed: 129

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: 0

Engine Power - BHP: 138

Engine Power - KW: 103

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 187

Engine Torque - NM: 253

Engine Torque - RPM: 3000

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9.7

Engine Torque - MKG: 25.8

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R18

Wheel Style: GT-Line

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R18

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4395

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1495

Width (including mirrors): N

Wheelbase: 2650

Width: 1826

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.4

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1378

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 426

Max. Loading Weight: 470

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 600

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1210

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1870

Minimum Kerbweight: 1400

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Paint - Solid

Solid - Infra red

Paint - Special

Premium - Lunar silver

Premium paint - Phantom black

Premium paint - Blue Flame

Premium paint - Fusion white

Premium paint - Penta metal

Premium paint - Spirit green

Trim - Part Leather

Leather/suede - Black