Geneva Motor Show 2018: Kia unwraps all-new Ceed

The third-generation Kia Ceed has been launched at the Geneva Motor Show 2018. It’ll reach showrooms in the summer with prices starting in the region of £15,000.

The 2018 Kia Ceed is wider and lower than the outgoing model. It also gets a new(ish) name, with Kia finally dropping the apostrophe.

With its slightly sharper look, more in line with the latest Kia Optima and Picanto, the Ceed is a handsome design if not exactly exciting to look at. It comes with LED daytime running lights as standard, while wheel sizes range from 15-inch steels on entry-level cars to 17-inch diamond cut alloy on high trim models. 

Engines include an updated version of the 1.0 T-GDi with 120PS plus a new 1.4 T-GDi engine with 140PS which replaces the old 1.6-litre GDi. There's also a new 'U3' 1.6 CRDi diesel which will be one of the first engines to beat the showroom tax by meeting the latest emissions standards. Available in two versions - 115PS and 136PS - the new 1.6-litre diesel produces 280Nm of torque and - like most engines in the Ceed range - is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Inside Kia says that higher quality materials have been used throughout with a more modern design and features like the new steering wheel. All models come with a touchscreen at the top of the dash - either a 5.0-inch or 7.0-inch touchscreen audio system or a 8.0-inch touchscreen navigation system. 

It also gets a slightly larger 395-litre boot - up by 15 litres plus better headroom in the front helped by a lower seating positions.

To improve the ride and handling, the Ceed gets fully-independent suspension and a faster steering rack, designed to make it more agile, along with revised spring and dampers.

Safety tech is also improved, with a new driver attention warning system which combats distracted or drowsy driving by monitoring a number of inputs from the vehicle and driver. Other features include automatic high beam switch, lane keeping assist and automatic city breaking.