Kia XCeed Review 2025
Kia XCeed At A Glance
Very good looking 'crossover' based on the old Kia Ceed. Nicely furnished inside. Well equipped. Sensible value for money. Great warranty.
Rear space not the best. Boot space merely average. Ride deteriorates on larger wheel options.
On average it achieves 120% of the official MPG figure
The Kia XCeed joined the Ceed range in 2019 as an SUV-style alternative to the regular hatchback. It was always the most popular Ceed as a result, and has endured better than the regular model: while all other Ceed variants have now been withdrawn from sale, the XCeed is the only one that remains on offer as a new car. Read on for our full review of the Kia XCeed.
You could see the Kia XCeed as a metaphor for how the family car market has evolved over the last few years. It originated at a time when the mighty family hatchback ruled the roost, but was introduced to capitalise on growing customer interest in SUVs, with its raised ride height and chunkier proportions. Since then, that growing interest in SUVs has turned into insatiable must-have status, and SUVs have now completely taken over. Indeed, the XCeed is now the only version of the Ceed left on sale, with the hatchback, Sportswagon estate, and Proceed versions all having been withdrawn.
But quite aside from serving as an allegory for modern-day motoring, though, the Kia XCeed has many other talents. It's a very capable family car, with decent space for passengers and luggage, solid build quality, and lots of standard equipment, especially given its very competitive pricetag. The various gizmos are all really easy to use, too, thanks to a logical cabin layout and an intuitive touchscreen infotainment system.
It's also a more pleasant car to drive than its now-defunct relatives, with a softer, more absorbent suspension for improved ride comfort, but with very little discernible deterioration of handling sharpness. It's been offered with a wide choice of different powertrain options over the years - including petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid - all of which do a decent job on performance and a really good job on economy, making running costs look just as tempting as purchase prices.
The rational arguments in the XCeed's favour just keep on piling. Kia's reliability record is deeply impressive, which should help enhance your ownership experience even more, while the firm's excellent seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty provide even more peace of mind. This last bit also means you can have more confidence buying a used example of the Kia XCeed: this will save you even more money, and most pre-owned examples are likely to have at least some of the original cover left.
But it's not just the rational arguments that work in the XCeed's favour. It's also just a likeable thing somehow, doing everything you need it to do, but doing it in a cheerful way. A great family car that's well worthy of your consideration.
Reviews for Kia XCeed's top 3 rivals
Kia XCeed handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.0 T-GDI to 1.6 CRDi
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 31–68 mpg
Kia XCeed 2025: Handling and ride quality
In its bid to make the XCeed behave like your classic SUV, Kia softened off the suspension compared to the now-defunct Ceed hatch. This has good and bad consequences. The good part is that the ride is better able to cope with lumps and bumps as the car encounters them, so it's compliant on all surfaces.
The downside for the XCeed is that it leans more in corners. It's not enough to make you reach for the sea sickness pills, but there's a definite Force 7 swell in the way the XCeed deals with corners. However, there's decent grip and it never feels anything other than perfectly competent, and the steering is in much the same vein by being acceptable and unremarkable in its actions.
In the also-now-defunct PHEV hybrid model, the suspension was firmed up a little to cope with the added weight of the battery. It didn't do anything to improve the handling of the XCeed and it also meant this petrol-electric model felt more prone to crashing into ruts and ridges rather than smoothing its way over them.
Kia XCeed 2025: Engines
During the time it's been on sale, the XCeed has been offered with a variety of different engines. When it first went on sale, engine choices included a 120PS 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.4 turbo with 140PS, while diesel options included 1.6-litre units with either 116PS or 136PS.
Not too long after launch, the plug-in hybrid version was released, which combined a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a total of 141PS through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
An update in 2022 brought a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 160PS. The diesels were canned, leaving just the 120PS 1.0-litre petrol and the PHEV as the other powertrain options. A bit later, the 1.0-litre was canned, leaving just the 1.5 and the PHEV.
Performance for the plug-in hybrid is best described as adequate. It takes 10.6 seconds to go from a standing start to 60mph, which is okay but it doesn't feel especially keen to build speed beyond city limits. More important is the 30-mile battery-only range that makes it ideal for emissions-free town driving.
The 160PS 1.5 turbo petrol engine offers far brisker acceleration, taking 8.7 seconds to go from 0-60mph. Or, if you have this engine with the seven-speed auto, that dash takes 8.9 seconds. Either way, it feels pleasantly punchy in the usual cut and thrust of daily driving, and the engine stays largely smooth, quiet, and flexible.
As of late 2025, the XCeed is now offered with a choice of two petrol engines, another turbocharged 1.0-litre, this time with 115PS and either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre unit with 180PS and the seven-speed auto as standard. We haven't yet had the chance to drive either of the latest powertrains.
Kia XCeed 2025: Safety
The Kia XCeed has achieved the full five-star score in Euro NCAP crash tests.
With every XCeed, you get automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist tech that will warn and guide you back into the correct path, and there's a driver attention alert, too. Six airbags are included in all, as well, plus two Isofix child seat mounts for the outer back seats.
However, only the GT-Line S model comes with a blind spot alert system, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning.
Kia XCeed 2025: Towing
For earlier versions of the Kia XCeed with the 160PS 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine, you have an unbraked trailer maximum of 600kg. This is the same for the PHEV version, but the plug-in hybrid model has a maximum braked trailer limit of 1300kg compared to 1410kg for the petrol-only versions. It's a slim difference but could be the margin between towing a light caravan or leaving it at home.
With the latest versions, the 1.0-litre car can pull a braked trailer of 1010kg, while the 1.6 can pull up to 1410kg.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 T-GDI | 50–52 mpg | 10.9–11.1 s | 124 g/km |
| 1.4 T-GDI | 46–48 mpg | - | 134–142 g/km |
| 1.4 T-GDI Automatic | 48 mpg | - | 134 g/km |
| 1.5 T-GDI | - | 8.7 s | 137–143 g/km |
| 1.5 T-GDi 138 | - | - | 137–141 g/km |
| 1.5 T-GDi 138 DCT | - | - | 142 g/km |
| 1.5 T-GDI Automatic | - | 8.9 s | 141–142 g/km |
| 1.6 CRDi | 64–69 mpg | 10.2 s | 109–133 g/km |
| 1.6 GDI PHEV | - | 10.6 s | 32 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Kia XCeed
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
120%
Real MPG
31–68 mpg
MPGs submitted
74
Kia XCeed interior
- Boot space is 291–1378 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4395 mm |
| Width | 1826–2055 mm |
| Height | 1495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2650 mm |
Kia XCeed 2025: Practicality
One of the big draws of SUV cars is their cabin space. In the front, the Kia XCeed does a mighty fine job by providing ample room for heads, legs, shoulders, and elbows. Even the tallest of drivers should find it easy to get comfy in here, helped by driver's seat height adjustment in all models, and this is powered in the GT-Line S version. There's also powered lumbar adjustment in all but the 2 trim (the Pure trim that later replaced it had this feature as standard).
Where the XCeed falls a little short compared to the likes of the Volkswagen T-Roc, and other SUVs such as the Ford Puma or Hyundai Tucson, is the amount of rear space on offer for adults. While kids will be fine in the XCeed, and it comes with Isofix mountings on both outer rear seats, it doesn't accommodate adults quite so easily. Anyone of average height or above is likely to find their knees pressing into the backs of the front seats, which isn't ideal for anyone.
Kia redeems matters to some degree with a decent boot in the XCeed. It offers up 426 litres of cargo-carrying volume in normal use, and up to 1378 litres with the 60-40 split-folding rear seats folded down. This is for the regular petrol and diesel versions of the XCeed, but if you choose the Plug-In Hybrid model you lose a little boot capacity due to the battery: the hybrid can hold 291 litres, or up 1243 litres with the seats folded.
Kia XCeed 2025: Quality and finish
Wherever you your hands come into contact with the Kia XCeed, it feels solidly built and made from good materials. It's not quite an Audi-beater in this respect, but you certainly feel you're getting fine value for money with the way this car is put together.
This impression is furthered the more time you spend in the XCeed. It should be largely free from rattles or creaks, and all of the buttons, switches and dials work with a precision and fluid feel that you only really notice when stepping into a number of other cars that cost the same, yet feel decidedly more downmarket.
Kia XCeed 2025: Infotainment
The infotainment is easy to use and, refreshingly, Kia hasn't tried to cram everything into the digital display. There are still plenty of big, easy-to-understand buttons on the dashboard for everything from skipping audio tracks to adjusting the temperature of the climate control. It might not look as simplistic as a Peugeot 308, for example, but there's a lot to be said for this approach, not least not being distracted during driving.
In the old 2 trim, the XCeed had an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen for its infotainment, which feels just fine. It's easy to work and read on the move, and works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
However, you'll probably prefer the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen fitted to all other XCeed models. It comes with sat-nav included, as well as seven years' worth of Kia Connect Services to give access to traffic updates.
In the GT-Line S trim, you also have a 12.3-inch digital instrument display in place of the usual analogue dials in the other models, which make do with a 4.2-inch display for onboard information.
Kia XCeed value for money
Kia XCeed 2025: Prices
Kia is no longer the bargain-basement brand it once was, having come on leaps and bounds for both quality and desirability in recent years. Sure, the pricing reflects that, but although its cars are no longer super-cheap, they're still great value.
The XCeed range currently starts at around the £25,000 mark, which for an crossover SUV of this size isn't bad at all. That's for the entry-level Pure trim level with the 1.0-litre petrol engine. The most expensive version with this engine stands at more than £31,000. That's for a car in range-topping GT Line S trim, and fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
If you want the more powerful 180PS 1.6-litre engine, it's ONLY available in range-topping GT Line S trim, and fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. That puts the price upwards of £33,000.
Many more engine choices have been available in the past, and the car has been around for a good few years already, meaning that the used car market holds the key to some very tempting deals. The cheapest examples you'll find are likely to be either the old 1.0-litre turbo petrol or the 1.6 diesel, both from 2020 or 2021, with around 60,000 miles on the clock. These can be had for around £10,000 or £11,000, and will have a bit of the original seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty left to run.
Kia XCeed 2025: Running Costs
As we've already observed, the XCeed's engine range has changed quite a lot over the years, and that means that fuel economy figures have been just as diverse. Pretty much all the petrol engines have official WLTP figures of upwards of 45mpg, and some go as high as 50-odd mpg. Either way, you can expect real-world returns of 40mpg or better if you drive gently.
The early diesels had official figures that bettered 60mpg, while some variants got closer to 70mpg. Again, real-world returns probably won't be quite that good, but they shouldn't be too far off. High-mileage drivers could do a lot worse than seeking out a used diesel XCeed.
Things are a little different with the old plug-in hybrid versions of the XCeed. The official fuel economy figure sat at upwards of 200mpg, which initially looks very impressive, but you're unlikely to get anywhere near that in the real world. To give yourself the best chance, you'll need to plug in daily to keep your battery topped up, and ensure that your regular journeys are short enough that they can be completed solely on the car's electric-only range of around 30 miles. Bear in mind that as soon as that petrol engine fires up, the car will instantly develop quite a thirst.
Insurance groupings sit between 11 and 21 (all but one variant are group 19 or below), so premiums shouldn't be too ruinous for most drivers. These days, all versions of the car are liable for the same flat rate of VED road tax, currently charged at £195 per year. The car's pricing is such that no version has to worry about the expensive luxury car surcharge on road tax.
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Like with most Kia model ranges, the XCeed's trim structure has, for most of its life, revolved around trims named 2 and 3, with a couple of desirable GT-Line and GT-Line S models chucked in for good measure. In mid-2025, though, the trim levels on offer were rationalised, become Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S in the process.
At the previous entry point of the range, the Kia XCeed 2 came with:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- cruise control with speed limiter
- reversing camera
- air conditioning
- all-round electric windows
- leather steering wheel and gear knob
- driver’s manual seat height adjustment
- 8.0-inch colour touchscreen infotainment, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- seven speakers
- DAB stereo
- Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming
Next up was the Kia XCeed GT-Line model that had:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- rear privacy glass
- remote central locking
- rain-sensing wiper
- synthetic leather upholstery
- panoramic glass roof
- heated front seats and steering wheel
- electronic parking brake
- larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen
Then came the Kia XCeed 3 trim, which built on the 2 with:
- black satin and chrome radiator grille
- Drive Mode select for normal and sport settings
- smart cruise control with stop and go function
- keyless ignition
Topping the range was the all-singing Kia XCeed GT-Line S that combined all the elements of the lower trims, plus:
- 12.3-inch digital instrument display
- black leather and suede upholstery
- wireless mobile phone charger
- eight-speaker JBL premium sound system
- Blind Spot Collision Warning
- Intelligent Speed Limit Warning
When the trim levels changed in 2025, the new entry-level Kia XCeed Pure trim level basically took all of the elements of the previous 2 model, and added:
- power folding and adjusting door mirrors
- part-leatherette upholstery
- rain-sensing wipers
- climate control
- power lumbar adjustment on driver's seat
The GT-Line and GT-Line S trim remained largely the same as before, but they were already pretty tooled-up.
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4395 mm |
| Width | 1826–2055 mm |
| Height | 1495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2650 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1332–1609 kg |
| Boot Space | 291–1378 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / Unlimited miles |
| Servicing | 10000–20000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £24,015–£31,590 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | A–F |
| Official MPG | 45.6–68.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
Currently on sale
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2 T-GDi 138 Start/Stop 5dr | £24,015 | - | - |
| 3 T-GDi 138 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £27,090 | - | - |
| 3 T-GDi 138 Start/Stop 5dr | £25,990 | - | - |
| GT Line S T-GDi 138 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £31,590 | - | - |
| GT Line T-GDi 138 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £26,590 | - | - |
| GT Line T-GDi 138 Start/Stop 5dr | £25,490 | - | - |
On sale until July 2025
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2 T-GDi 158 Start/Stop 5dr | £23,490 | - | - |
| 3 GDi 104 DCT Auto 8.9kWh (139) Start/Stop 5dr | £33,470 | - | - |
| 3 T-GDi 158 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £26,010 | - | - |
| 3 T-GDi 158 Start/Stop 5dr | £25,610 | - | - |
| GT Line S T-GDi 158 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | £31,560 | - | - |
| GT Line S T-GDi 158 Start/Stop 5dr | £30,110 | - | - |
| GT Line T-GDi 158 Start/Stop 5dr | £25,460 | - | - |
On sale until November 2022
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 2 ISG 5dr | - | 52.3 mpg | 10.9 s |
| 3 GDi 104 DCT Auto 8.9kWh (139) Start/Stop 5dr | £30,695 | - | 10.6 s |
| 3 T-GDi 158 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 8.9 s |
| 3 T-GDi 158 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 8.7 s |
| 4 GDi 104 DCT Auto 8.9kWh (139) Start/Stop 5dr | £35,105 | - | 10.6 s |
| 4 T-GDi 158 DCT Auto Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 8.9 s |
| 4 T-GDi 158 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 8.7 s |
| Connect T-GDi 118 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.1 s |
On sale until September 2022
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 3 ISG 5dr | - | 50.4 mpg | 10.9 s |
| 3 CRDi 136 48v MHEV Start/Stop 5dr | £26,065 | - | 10.2 s |
| 4 T-GDi 118 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.1 s |
| Edition T-GDi 118 Start/Stop 5dr | - | - | 11.1 s |
On sale until November 2021
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| First Edition GDi 104 DCT Auto 8.9kWh (139) Start/Stop 5dr | £34,695 | - | 10.6 s |
On sale until April 2021
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.4 T-GDi 138 First Edition ISG 5dr | - | 45.6 mpg | - |
| 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 3 DCT ISG 5dr Auto | - | 47.9 mpg | - |
| 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 3 ISG 5dr | - | 45.6 mpg | - |
| 1.4 T-GDi First Edition DCT ISG 5dr Auto | - | 47.9 mpg | - |
| 1.6 CRDi 114bhp 2 ISG 5dr | - | 68.9 mpg | - |
| 1.6 CRDi 134bhp 3 ISG 5dr | - | 64.2 mpg | - |
Model History
- June 2019: Kia XCeed revealed
- July 2019: Kia XCeed priced from £20,795
- September 2019: Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid announced
- January 2020: Kia XCeed PHEV priced from £30,695
- April 2020: Kia XCeed Edition announced
- July 2021: Kia XCeed range updated
- August 2022: Updated Kia XCeed priced from £22,995
- August 2025: Simplified Kia XCeed line-up announced, priced from £25,165
June 2019
Kia XCeed revealed
Kia has launched its new XCeed as an 'urban crossover utility vehicle' set to take on the Ford Focus Active when it goes on sale later this year - with prices expected to start at around £21,000.
The only body panels carried over from the five-door Ceed are the front doors, suggesting the XCeed is a bit more than a jacked-up hatch in the same vein as the Focus Active. The Korean manufacturer claims it offers comparable interior space to an SUV, along with a more sporty drive than conventional crossovers.
The XCeed sits up to 42mm higher than the standard Ceed. It's also slightly longer than the hatchback and shorter than a Sportage, while its boot is bigger than the Ceed's (426 litres compared to 395 litres). An adjustable two-step boot floor along with a hidden underfloor storage compartment sounds promising for buyers seeking practicality.
Inside, the XCeed's cabin looks largely the same as the standard Ceed. A yellow colour pack can be selected in a bid to appeal to a younger audience. This features vibrant yellow highlights throughout the cabin, including trim around the air vents and stitching on the seats and doors.
There's also an optional 10.25-inch navigation system perched on the dash, along with the brand's first 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in place of conventional dials.
Engineers have been tasked with making the XCeed handle better than a typical family SUV. Its fully-independent suspension is softer than that used in the regular hatchback, yet Kia claims it doesn't lean any more in bends.
There's the same engine line-up as the Ceed, including a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrols. The range is topped by the 1.6-litre turbo used in the Ceed GT, while a 1.6-litre diesel is available with 115 or 136PS.
Electrified engines, including 48V mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, will be offered in the Kia XCeed from early 2020.
Production of the Kia XCeed will start at the firm's Slovakia plant in August, with UK deliveries expected late in the year. Prices will be confirmed at a later date, expected to start at around £21,000. The XCeed will be sold with the company's seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
July 2019
Kia XCeed priced from £20,795
Following the reveal of the all-new Kia XCeed last month, Kia is today releasing pricing and specifications of the fourth member of the Ceed range. Order books are now open for the Kia XCeed, with the first cars set to arrive in UK showrooms in September 2019.
The all-new Kia XCeed adds a Compact Utility Vehicle to the Ceed range, a body style that is increasing in popularity, and one that bridges the gap between the traditional hatchback and SUV body styles. It has a higher ground clearance, is 85mm longer and 43mm taller than the Ceed hatchback, however, with its sloping roofline it sits lower than an SUV, giving the Kia XCeed a dynamic and more distinctive look.
The exterior of the Kia XCeed shares only the front door panels with the Ceed hatchback. Face-on, there is a distinct difference between the two models, helped by the longer, taller, sportier bonnet, new dual blade front grille, satin chrome garnish, revised bumper and new LED headlamps. Changes at the rear of the car include a new dynamic bumper, diffuser and new LED lights. The rear proportions give the Kia XCeed a muscular stance on the road. The Kia XCeed also benefits from SUV styling in the form of black wheel arch trims along with unique 16- or 18-inch alloy wheels.
At the heart of the Kia XCeed’s dashboard is Kia’s new 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen system, featuring the new UVO CONNECT telematics system. It is featured as standard on ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’ grades. New functions include a split screen mode, home screen customisation, Bluetooth® multi-connection and user profiles. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. The system can also be accessed via a UVO smartphone app, providing remote access to a range of vehicle functions, including at-a-glance overview of key elements of the car, including doors and locks. The last known location of the vehicle can be viewed, and a monthly summary of the car’s usage. Diagnosis alerts are shared with the smartphone user, keeping them informed of the current status of the car, with notifications automatically sent whenever an event is detected in the car.
The Kia XCeed will be available with Kia’s trademark, easy to understand line-up of ‘2’, ‘3’ and flagship ‘First Edition’ models, with both petrol and diesel engines on offer. A seven-speed DCT automatic transmission is available with the 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp engine.
Grade ‘2’ models are comprehensively kitted out with 16-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, a rear spoiler, a gloss black mesh front grille with satin chrome surround, satin chrome beltline and LED bi-functional headlights, front projection fog lamps, LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights and rear fog lamps. The eight-inch touchscreen features Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM compatibility, together with a reversing camera system. Other equipment includes a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, black premium cloth upholstery, automatic lighting control, electric front and rear windows with front auto up and down functionality, keyless entry, manual air conditioning and cruise control. Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) are both included, with pedestrian detection functionality available as part of the optional Advanced Driving Assistance Pack.
Move up to level ‘3’ and there’s 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, electric and heated, wide, folding door mirrors with side repeater and a window defogger. Step inside and there’s the new 10.25-inch navigation system with telematics, black cloth and part faux leather seat upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, an electric park brake and rear auto up and down functionality for the electric windows, as well as a smart key and button start. The centre console features a sliding storage box for extra versatility and pedestrian detection is added to the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system on manual models and is an optional extra for DCT versions.
The top-of-the-range ‘First Edition’ models are fitted with a panoramic sunroof, a dark chrome mesh radiator grille with satin chrome frame and black gloss mirror caps. On the safety front there’s Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection, Smart Cruise Control on DCT versions, Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Intelligent Speed Limit warning and a high line Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with tyre pressure display. Cloth and part faux leather seat upholstery with exclusive yellow detailing makes a cutting dash, with a power operated driver’s seat with memory and lumbar support. The instruments are upgraded to a 12.3-inch TFT supervision cluster display, there’s a smart power tailgate, JBL® premium sound system, wireless phone charger, aluminium pedals and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats.
The ‘2’ and ‘3’ grade models are available with a choice of six exterior colours and the ‘First Edition’ is finished in a choice of two hues, matched to a contrasting interior. ‘First Edition’ versions benefit from Premium paint as standard (normally charged at £570), including the brand new and exclusive Quantum Yellow.
|
‘2' 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 6-speed manual ISG |
£20,795 |
|
‘2’ 1.6 CRDi 114bhp 6-speed manual ISG |
£22,045 |
|
‘3’ 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 6-speed manual ISG |
£23,295 |
|
‘3’ 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 6-speed manual ISG |
£24,095 |
|
‘3’ 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 7-speed auto DCT ISG |
£25,195 |
|
‘3’ 1.6 CRDi 134bhp 6-speed manual ISG |
£25,345 |
|
‘First Edition’ 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 6-speed manual ISG |
£28,095 |
|
‘First Edition’ 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 7-speed auto DCT ISG |
£29,195 |
September 2019
Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid announced
Combines an 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, a 44.5 kW electric motor, and an efficient 1.6-litre ‘Kappa’ four-cylinder petrol engine. The powertrain’s total power and torque output is 141PS and 265Nm, enabling the XCeed to accelerate to 62mph in 11.0 seconds.
The powertrain is paired with a six-speed double-clutch transmission (6DCT), allowing drivers to shift gear for themselves, ensuring a more enjoyable drive than other hybrid vehicles equipped with electronic continuously-variable transmissions (e-CVT), says Kia.
Standard regenerative braking technology allows the new Plug-in Hybrid models to harvest kinetic energy and recharge their battery packs while coasting or braking, further enhanging the overall efficiency of the powertrain.
Kia is targeting an all-electric range of around 37 miles, enabling drivers to complete the majority of daily drives and short commutes on electric power alone. CO 2 emissions for the new Plug-in Hybrid model are pending homologation and will be revealed prior to start-of-sales.
The XCeed is equipped with Kia’s new Virtual Engine Sound System, an audible warning system which activates in electric-only mode at low speeds or when reversing. The system generates virtual sound levels of up to 59 dBA to safely notify pedestrians of the car’s presence.
A new closed ‘tiger-nose’ grille at the front of the car aids aerodynamic efficiency. The charging port is integrated into the left front wing of the car. Equipped as standard with bespoke 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, optional 18-inch alloys are also available.
The XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is equipped with a charging indicator, a visual aid to tell owners that their car is charging or when the battery is fully-charged. Its location on top of the dashboard means drivers can instantly ascertain the car’s state of charge at a glance from outside the car (for instance, when it is parked on their driveway at home and the owner hasn’t left the house yet).
It's offered with Kia’s 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment as standard, or an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system with Kia’s UVO Connect telematics. Unique to the new Plug-in Hybrid variant, the systems incorporate new functionality to help owners locate available charging points in their vicinity, or en route to their navigation destination. The screens can also show relevant information relating to the powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels in the battery and energy usage graphics. Furthermore, owners can use the touchscreen system to schedule when their vehicle should charge when plugged in at home, enabling owners to take advantage of cheaper off-peak energy tariffs. Both infotainment systems offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, while the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system features Bluetooth multi-connection, enabling occupants to connect two mobile devices at once.
The instrument cluster also features unique visuals for the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels, anticipated electric-only range and the flow of energy between the battery pack, engine and electric motor. Available as an option, Kia’s new fully-digital 12.3-inch ‘Supervision’ instrument cluster is designed to deliver information as clearly as possible with a range of unique graphics displays. The high-resolution 1920x720-pixel Supervision display replaces conventional speedometer and tachometer dials currently found in the brand’s passenger cars with a single, seamless display.
The ‘Driver Only’ heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system – activated with a new button on the dashboard – instantly deactivates airflow to all cabin vents except those nearest the driver. This is designed to reduce the draw on battery energy from the ventilation system, while still keeping the driver at their preferred temperature. Unlike conventional ventilation systems, Kia’s ‘Driver Only’ system doesn’t simply restrict airflow to certain vents, rerouting it elsewhere; instead, it switches off the fans themselves, reducing energy use at source.
The Ceed model line-up was engineered from the start to accommodate new hybrid powertrains. This means that the adoption of a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain in the Kia XCeed has had a minimal impact on packaging, with the structure adapted from the start to contain the powertrain’s battery pack.#
The 8.9 kWh battery pack is located alongside the 37-litre fuel tank beneath the rear bench, unlike many other plug-in hybrid vehicles, in which the battery pack takes up valuable cargo space. As a Plug-in Hybrid, the XCeed provides 291 litres of luggage space, growing to 1,243 litres with the rear folded down. There is a dedicated space beneath the boot floor to store the charging cable when not in use.
An optional Towing Pack is available for towing braked loads – a rarity among cars in the hybrid class.
January 2020
Kia XCeed PHEV priced from £30,695
Available in 3 or First Edition trim, the plug-in hybrid XCeed is now on sale from £30,695.
The ‘3’ grade features 16-inch alloy wheels and black cloth seat trim with black faux leather bolsters and powered lumbar support for the front seats. The ‘First Edition’ grade comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and Black Leather Seat Upholstery with Faux Leather Door Centre Trim. All versions feature privacy glass and rain sensing front windscreen wipers.
At the heart of the dashboard is Kia’s new 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen system, including a satellite navigation system, European mapping and a Traffic Messaging Channel. Also included is DAB radio with MP3 compatibility and Kia’s new UVO CONNECT telematics system. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. The infotainment system allows smartphone users access to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and it is Bluetooth multi connection-enabled, allowing occupants to connect two mobile devices at once for hands-free phone calls and music streaming.
Other standard equipment includes a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear parking sensors. Heated front seats and steering wheel are also included, along with an electric parking brake (EPB), front passenger seat height adjuster and a smart entry system with engine start/stop button.
Safety has been given a high priority with six airbags (front, side and curtain with front passenger cut-off switch), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – City and Pedestrian (FCA) all included as standard.
The ‘First Edition’ grade sits at the top-of-the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid range and features a Smart Park Assist System (SPAS) that integrates front and rear parking sensors with the ability to automatically park in parallel or perpendicular spaces. There are black leather seat upholstery, heated outer rear seats and a driver’s seat with memory function, meanwhile, the rear seats fold down, with a 40:20:40 split. An enlarged 12.3-inch TFT supervision cluster display comes fitted to the ‘First Edition’ grade, along with a panoramic sunroof with tilting/sliding function and automatic electric roller blind. Aluminium pedals, smart powered tailgate, a personal LED light and wireless mobile phone charger are all included, too. Extra safety systems include a Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Intelligent Speed Limit Information Function (ISLIF) and Lane Following Assist (LFA).
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 the battery pack to 100 per cent using a 3.3kW AC charger.
The Kia XCeed ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’ Plug-in Hybrid models are available to order now from showrooms, with the first examples set to arrive here in the UK during April 2020.
April 2020
Kia XCeed Edition announced
Sold with 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engine and six-speed manual gearbox, the XCeed Edition is available in three new metallic paint colours: Blue Flame, Quantum Yellow and Lunar Silver.
Based on the 2 trim level, standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, LED headlights, cruise control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Prices start from £20,995.
July 2021
Kia XCeed range updated
Kia has announced a number of changes to the XCeed model line-up, including the addition of the XCeed ‘Connect’, replacing the ‘Edition’ model. Benefitting from all the same features as the outgoing ‘Edition’, the ‘Connect’ model upgrades to a 4.2” colour supervision cluster, 10.25” navigation with UVO Connect and an expanded exterior colour offering. XCeed ‘Connect’ will also be available in ‘Fusion Orange’, exclusive to this version and new to the XCeed range.
The model will sit between the ‘2’ and ‘3’ grade XCeed, and will cost £21,775 – with a 1.0-litre T-GDi powertrain, and a six-speed manual transmission.
August 2022
Updated Kia XCeed priced from £22,995
Kia has revealed UK pricing and specifications for the new XCeed compact crossover as order books open for the upgraded model.
The new XCeed has received a range of mid-lifecycle updates three years after it first went on-sale. In that time, it has become the best-selling variant in the four-strong Ceed model family, and now accounts for 51 per cent of all Ceed sales in the UK. It has also made up 10 per cent of total Kia UK sales so far this year, with 5,652 units registered in the UK in the first half of the year.
UK customer deliveries for the new Kia XCeed commence from the end of Q3 2022, with prices starting from £22,995 for petrol models and £32,595 for the low-emissions PHEV model.
The new Kia XCeed has received a series of product enhancements for 2023, including a bold new exterior design, an enhanced interior, and the addition of a new ‘GT-Line S’ grade to the line-up. These changes make the XCeed an even more enticing proposition in the popular C-crossover segment.
The UK line-up incorporates a new ‘GT-Line S’ grade for the first time, designed to evoke a sense of sportiness, similar to other ‘GT-Line’ models in the existing Kia and Ceed line-ups. The new ‘GT-Line S’ grade sits at the top of the new XCeed range, replacing the earlier ‘4’ grade. With a generous level of standard equipment along with new GT-Line body kit, unique 18-inch alloy wheels for exterior styling, and GT-Line seats and steering wheel. The new XCeed also incorporates Kia’s latest driver assist, connectivity and infotainment systems for maximum everyday usability, enjoyment and occupant safety.
In the UK, the new XCeed offers the same choice of two powertrains as found on the pre-facelift model, including a low-emissions PHEV model.
The anticipated best-seller in the line-up is the 1.5-litre T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, paired with a six-speed manual and producing 158 bhp and 253 Nm torque.
The engine features continuously variable valve duration technology, enabling it to shift continuously between combustion cycles to maximise performance and efficiency in different driving conditions.
The new XCeed PHEV carries over the same plug-in hybrid system, based on a 1.6-litre GDi (gasoline direct injection), paired with a 44.5 kW electric motor and 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. It applies its combined 139 bhp and 265 Nm torque to the road via a smooth-shifting six-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT). The new XCeed PHEV is capable of travelling up to 30 miles on electric power.
WLTP fuel efficiency and emissions data for all variants, as well as (Benefit-in-Kind) BIK information for the business-friendly PHEV model, will be revealed closer to the car’s on-sale date.
‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘GT-Line S’ – a revised UK grade structure
The new XCeed offers a similar grade structure to earlier versions of the XCeed, but with the outgoing ‘4’ model replaced with the new ‘GT-Line S’ version.
Versions with the 1.5-litre T-GDi engine are available in ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘GT-Line S’ grades. The ‘2’ grade, priced from £22,995, offers a generous specification as standard. This includes:
16-inch alloy wheels
LED bi-function headlights
8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 4.2-inch Supervision driver instrument cluster
Seven-speaker audio system
All-round electric windows with front auto up-and-down function
Reversing camera system
USB-C and USB-A sockets in the front cabin, and a USB-C socket in the rear
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with city, pedestrian and cyclist recognition
Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG)
Cruise control and speed limiter
Leather-trimmed steering wheel and faux leather-trimmed gearshift
Black cloth upholstery
60:40 split-folding rear seats
The ‘3’ grade, from £25,495, adds the following equipment over ‘2’ grade:
18-inch alloy wheels
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system
Privacy glass
Rain-sensing front wipers
Wide-view driver’s door mirror
Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicators
Black cloth and faux leather upholstery
Front passenger seat height adjuster
Power lumbar support (driver and front passenger)
Heated front seats
Dual-zone automatic air conditioning
Automatic defog system
Auto-dimming rear mirror
Smart key with engine start/stop button
Free seven-year Kia Connect connectivity services
Rear parking sensors
In addition, the new ‘GT-Line S’ grade, replacing the earlier ‘4’ grade model and now priced from £29,995, offers the following equipment as standard:
GT-Line body kit
GT-Line 18-inch alloy wheels
Panoramic sunroof with tilt and slide function and automatic electric roll blind
Black leather with suede seat upholstery
Memory driver’s seat with power height adjustment
Heated outer rear seats
Smart power tailgate
40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
Eight-speaker JBL premium audio system
12.3-inch TFT Supervision instrument cluster
Wireless mobile phone charger
Smart Park Assist System (SPAS) with parallel / perpendicular front and rear parking sensors
Blind-spot Collision Warning (BCW)
Intelligent Speed Limit Warning (ISLW)
The new XCeed PHEV is available as a single ‘3’ grade model, from £32,595 on-the-road. The new XCeed PHEV ‘3’ offers a compelling blend of high value, generous equipment and low running costs. This is similar to the ‘3’ grade offered on non-PHEV models, but adds:
Unique 16-inch alloy wheel design
Black and satin chrome closed radiator grille
Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality
Drive Mode Select (with ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes)
The XCeed has always been offered to UK customers with a selection of vibrant colour options, and the new model is no different. All four grades are available in a choice of eight paint options, with ‘Spirit Green’ new to the line-up and never seen before on UK roads.
These are offered alongside existing paint options, which include ‘Phantom Black’, ‘Penta Metal’, ‘Lunar Silver’, ‘Infra Red’, ‘Fusion White’ and ‘Blue Flame’. From launch, ‘Splash Lemon’ is offered as standard, with all other premium colours priced at £580.
August 2025
Simplified Kia XCeed line-up announced, priced from £25,165
Kia has announced changes to the XCeed range. Just three trim levels are now offered - Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S - rather than the old 2, GT-Line, 3 and GT-Line S models.
The new entry level Pure model combines features from the outgoing 2 and 3 models, and includes an electric driver's seat, automatic air conditioning, heated door mirrors and rain-sensing wipers.
The engine range has been tweaked too, with Pure and GT-Line models offered with a 113PS 1.0 petrol with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. The top-spec GT-Line S cars are dual-clutch only and come with either the 113PS engine or a new 177PS 1.6 petrol.
The revised XCeed range is now on sale and first deliveries are expected in September.
Kia XCeed prices
Pure 113PS 1.0 six-speed manual £25,165
Pure 113PS 1.0 seven-speed DCT £26,265
GT-Line 113PS 1.0 six-speed manual £26,565
GT-Line 113PS 1.0 seven-speed DCT £27,665
GT-Line S 113PS 1.0 seven-speed DCT £31,215
GT-Line S 177PS 1.6 seven-speed DCT £33,125
