Kia Ceed review

If you’re in the market for a family hatchback, the Kia Ceed should be on your shortlist. It’s well priced, good to drive and has all the latest technology. It’s important not to be wooed by models higher up the Kia Ceed range which come with every conceivable item of equipment, although unlike some rivals, the entry-level model offers the same amount of practicality, but it also has a decent amount of kit.

What’s more, it’s arguably more comfortable to drive than sportier models which ride on bigger wheels. Add in the attraction of Kia’s seven-year warranty and the Ceed is a strong contender in the family hatchback class.

About the Kia Ceed

The Internet has altered many aspects of modern life, including the name of the Kia Ceed. The third-generation version of the five-door hatchback went on sale in 2018, but what it didn’t have was an apostrophe in its name. Kia decided to review the name and make it easier for prospective customers to type when they search for the car online.

But the change from Cee’d to Ceed was needed, as the car faces off against some seriously capable rivals – the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Vauxhall Astra, to name but a few – so it’s no surprise that the firm has gone to great lengths to help the Ceed stand out. Kia introduced a facelifted Ceed model in 2021, with sharper exterior styling and updated on-board tech, which has helped the Korean hatch remain competitive in its class.

As well as the new name, the Ceed is part of a four-strong family of models: a five-door hatchback, Sportswagon estate, the ProCeed shooting brake and new Xceed crossover. 

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Every new Kia Ceed is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology, and paired with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox, depending on which trim level you go for. There was a 1.0-litre petrol unit offered at launch, but it's been removed from the price list since then, along with the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine. The Ceed hatchback isn't available as a plug-in hybrid either, but there is an XCeed PHEV if you're looking to reduce your running costs. 

Trim levels for the Ceed include the entry-level 2, 3, GT-Line and GT-Line S. We like the Ceed 2 model as it's priced from around £22,500 and comes well stocked with kit. It might be worth taking some time to work out exactly what equipment you need for your family hatch, as you'll be paying £3,000 to £3,500 more if you opt a higher specification, while the top-spec model comes in at over £31,000.

The Ceed is one of Kia’s biggest-selling models in Europe, and as a result, Kia says it’s designed, engineered and built in Europe for European tastes. Alongside the VW Golf and other competitors we mentioned earlier, the Ceed’s rivals include the Hyundai i30, which uses the same engines (in different states of tune), gearboxes and platform, the SEAT Leon and Peugeot 308.

For an alternative review of the Kia Ceed, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...