Review: Kia XCeed (2019)
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Rating:
Very good looking 'crossover' based on the KIA Ceed. Nicely furnished inside. Well equipped. Sensible value for money.
Much better on 16-inch wheels with 205/60 R16 tyres than on 18-inch wheels with 234/45 R18s.
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Kia XCeed (2019): At A Glance
Kia's new crossover priced from £20,795 rivals the Volkswagen T-Roc and Ford Focus Active. It arrived in showrooms at the end of September 2019.
Based on the Ceed hatchback, the XCeed is positioned between the Stonic and Sportage in size. It's a more premium offering, however, which explains why it's £2,000 more than the equivalent hatch.
The engine line-up mirrors that of the Ceed, meaning buyers get a choice of 1.0- and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, as well as a 1.6-litre diesel. A plug-in hybrid is also on its way, combining a 1.6-litre petrol with an electric motor to produce 141PS, as per the Kia Niro PHEV.
High spec versions are the first KIA models to feature a new 12.3-inch driver's digital instrument cluster in place of conventional dials.
What does a Kia XCeed (2019) cost?
| List Price from | £20,795 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £18,558 |
| Contract hire from | £131.20 per month |
Kia XCeed (2019): What's It Like Inside?
'2-Spec' versons of the KIA XCeed have an 8-inch infotainment touch screen that loads Apple Car Play or Android Auto from your phone, so you can use Google Maps or Waze and don’t miss the lack of standard satnav. You get a DAB radio, two 12v power sockets and a USB connection for your iPhone or Android Phone.
Soft furnishings abound inside wherever you lay your hands. '3-Spec' and First Edition XCeeds are even plusher with nice hexagonal pattern upholstery
And a wide 10.25 inch infotainment screen. Load area is 426 litres under the cover or 1,435 litres with the seats down, and on 'First Edition' models the rear seatback splits into three with a centre ski-flap.
And all KIA XCeeds come with a space saver spare wheel.
Child seats that fit a Kia XCeed (2019)
Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.What's the Kia XCeed (2019) like to drive?
The XCeed is a car of two tyre sizes. '2 Spec' versions come on 16-inch wheels with chunky 205/60 R16 tyres, and on these wheels and tyres it's great. They give good ride comfort, absortb bumps and minor potholes and, above all, you can feel what they are doing through the steering.
Breakaway is progressive, predictable and easily controlled, not that the 120HP 1.0 T-GDI has masses of power to become unruly anyway. It's good fun to drive.
Progress from these 205/60 R16s to 235/45 R18s (the size fitted to '3 Spec' and First Edition XCeeds) and, while the ride isn't too bad, you can feel the lack of rubber between the rims and the road. You have to watch out for potholes, and the steering becomes over-light. The tyres grip well enough giving the impression of cornering on rails up to a point, but you're not sure where that point will be because the steering is devoid of feel.
The 120HP 1.0T-GDI goes well enough and is a good companion, helped with gearing in 6th of about 28mph per 1,000rpm. There's really no need to seek more. Though, of course, the 140HP 1.4 T-GDI is a couple of seconds quicker to 60 and feels significantly faster.
The 115HP 1.6 CRDI is in the range for high mileage drivers and with a braked towing weight of 1,200kg will suit caravan towers.
A 7DCT twin-clutch transmissioin is available with the 1.4 T-GDI and the 1.6CRDI. Though dry clutch these have been very little trouble on KIAs and Hyiundais since first introduced in 2012. There can be a slight hesitation from time to time, but it’s quicker to respond than the DSG gearbox used in Volkswagen Group cars.
