Kia XCeed Review

If you don’t need anything more practical than a conventional family hatchback but want something a little more crossover-like, the XCeed is a good choice.

It’s got a slightly higher seating position than the Kia Ceed and its raised suspension copes well with bumpy roads. In true Kia form, it represents good value for money, although certain high-end models are surprisingly expensive to buy. Still, a transferable seven-year warranty and an extensive list of standard equipment combine to help the XCeed make a strong case for itself on the used market.

In terms of engines, either of the petrols are fine. We rate the little 1.0-litre highly but, if you regularly drive at motorway speeds, the extra power and refinement of the 1.4 make it a tempting choice.

All trim levels are well equipped. The First Edition is loaded with kit which makes it very appealing, but you’ll pay strong money for one. The mid-range 3 model is probably the one to go for, with features like the desirable 10.25-inch navigation system, adjustable lumbar support and rear parking sensors. If you’re on a budget, you won’t be disappointed with the 2 - its 16-inch wheels provide a more comfortable ride, while its standard eight-inch media system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are plenty of stylish crossovers that are a similar size to the Kia XCeed. Obvious competitors are the Ford Focus Active and Mazda CX-30. Both are more enjoyable than the XCeed to drive, while the CX-30 has a more premium interior. There’s also the Volkswagen T-Roc, which has the desirable Volkswagen badge but isn’t as well-equipped for the cash, while the Toyota CH-R is a hybrid alternative.

The XCeed’s cabin is certainly a step up from the dank and dark interiors of older Korean cars. It’s easily in the same league as the Ford Focus Active in terms of quality, while it’s got more soft-touch materials and glossy finishes than the Toyota C-HR.

We wouldn’t go as far as saying the XCeed feels premium inside (even the Volkswagen T-Roc isn’t that plush), but it does give the impression that it’ll wear well over time.

Higher-spec models get cloth with faux leather seats which add a touch of class, and we like the yellow stitching on the First Edition models. Little things like the sliding armrest on the front centre console storage box manage to make the XCeed feel like a more upmarket offering.

As standard, the Kia XCeed comes with an eight-inch media system that does without sat-nav but does feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning you can use navigation apps on your phone instead (they’re usually better than in-built systems, anyway).

This is functional rather than fancy, although the screen is just as big as the one used in even the priciest Volkswagen T-Roc models. It’s perched on the dash, flanked by two air vents and looking a bit like a tablet that’s been glued in as an afterthought. It’s well-placed for glancing at during driving although, relying solely on its touchscreen for navigating menus, it’s not the safest system to use on the move.

For a more upmarket infotainment experience, look for a 3 or First Edition model, which comes with a 10.25-inch display and navigation. This is no easier than the smaller system to use on the move, but its menus are laid out logically and you can split the screen into three (great for having access to the radio and navigation at the same time). It’s quicker to use than the standard system and has sharper graphics, while its bigger screen helps the XCeed feel like a more premium car.

First Edition models have a 12.3-inch screen in place of conventional dials. A cut-price version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, this looks pretty swish but its customisation options are limited. Other tech highlights include a premium JBL sound system and wireless phone charging - again, both of which only come on First Edition models. It’s a shame they’re not even offered as an option on other trim levels.

The Kia XCeed does a good impression of being a spacious car, particularly up front where there’s plenty of room for a pair of tall adults and loads of handy storage areas. There’s a big cubby box underneath the central armrest, two generous cup holders between the front seats and a roof-mounted sunglasses holder. Even the door bins are usefully large.

Things aren’t so great in the back where there’s no noticeable difference in space between the XCeed and the Ceed hatchback on which it’s based. Headroom is quite limited, especially on cars with the panoramic sunroof fitted. Adults will find their knees digging into the front seats, and fitting three in the back will be a squeeze.

Still, access is easy thanks to the slightly higher seating position than the standard Ceed while the doors open usefully wide. This’ll help when fitting child seats, too - as will Isofix points which are fitted to the outer rear seats.

The boot is adequate rather than impressive. It’s quite shallow because of that sloping roofline, while it has quite a high lip which could be a nuisance if you’re loading bulky items. It can carry 426 litres of luggage which is more than the Ford Focus Active (although this is available as a more practical estate model), but slightly less than the Volkswagen T-Roc.

If you need more boot space, you might be disappointed to find there isn’t a sliding rear bench, but the rear seats split 60:40 (40:20:40 on First Edition models) and fold down easily, providing up to 1378 litres of luggage space. An electric tailgate is yet another feature that was only offered on First Edition models.

On the plus side, most Kia XCeed models come with a space-saver spare wheel, which isn’t something you can take for granted these days. The Edition model is an exception - this uses one of those annoying tyre repair kits instead.

You’ll find that most Kia XCeeds are powered by petrol. That’s fine as, for the majority of buyers, a petrol XCeed makes a lot more sense than a dirty diesel.

We really like the buzzy little 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol. It’s an eager little three-cylinder unit that packs plenty of punch, accelerating to 62mph in a perfectly acceptable 10.9 seconds. It’s combined with a six-speed manual gearbox which is pretty decent, if a bit woollier than the gearchange you’d find in a Ford Focus Active.

If you need a bit more performance, the four-cylinder 1.4 petrol has a bit more oomph for national-speed-limit driving, covering 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds when paired with the manual transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch auto is also available, adding an extra tenth of a second to the acceleration time - not that you’ll really notice the difference. This is a pretty good auto gearbox and takes some of the pain out of city centre driving, but it can occasionally get a bit flustered. 

High-mileage drivers should look for an XCeed powered by the 1.6 CRDi diesel engine, available with 116 or 134PS. Both feel quite gutsy with plenty of mid-range torque, but you might struggle to find one. They’re quite expensive to buy new and, as there aren’t many available, you’ll pay a premium on the used market too.

Being a small three-cylinder engine, the entry-level 1.0-litre makes quite a distinctive noise. You’ll notice it, especially if you’re darting around town and working the engine hard, but we wouldn’t describe it as annoying. It just adds character.

The 1.4-litre is a more grown-up engine but still sounds a bit thrashy at high revs. The solution here is to change gear earlier - something you can do in the 1.4 thanks to its extra torque over the 1.0-litre. And of course, the 1.6-litre diesel is a little grumbly like all diesels, but soon settles down at higher speeds.

The softer springs and chunkier tyres (particularly on the 16-inch wheels) help refinement as well as ride quality. There’s not much in the way of noticeable road noise, although the XCeed’s increased height does mean there’s a bit more wind noise. It’s a very comfortable cruiser, though, and soon settles down into a refined long-distance companion once up to speed. If the wind noise turns into an issue, just turn the radio up - the JBL premium sound system fitted to First Edition models is particularly good.

There’s a whole heap of the latest active safety technology available on the XCeed although, if we’re being picky, it’s a bit of a shame that it’s only standard on the pricier models in the line-up.

That’s not to say the standard XCeed goes without. The 2 trim level has features like the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (City), which uses a camera and sensors to detect an impending low-speed collision with another car and alert the driver. If you don’t respond, it can apply the brakes to mitigate the impact. As standard, this doesn’t look out for cyclists and pedestrians, although this can be activated as an option when new (although it’s standard on First Edition and manual 3 trim levels).

It also gets Hill-start Assist Control - which will prevent you from clumsily rolling backwards during a hill start - and a Driver Attention Warning which will tell you off if you’re showing signs of drowsiness or inattentiveness. Lane Keep Assist will nudge you back into your lane if you stray, while Lane Following Assist - standard on automatic First Edition models only - can use vehicles ahead to control acceleration, braking and steering when you’re in stop/start traffic.

If a crash can’t be avoided, you’ll find plenty of airbags to keep you safe, while Isofix points on the outer rear seats will keep your young ones secured in place.

The Kia XCeed hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, however the standard Ceed’s five-star rating applies here. That means it’s a very safe car to travel in.

The Kia XCeed shouldn’t be much more to insure than the standard Ceed and certainly no more expensive than rivals. The cheapest will be the 3 model with the 1.0 T-GDi model, as this falls into group 12. The priciest will be the First Edition models which, with the 1.4 engine, are classed as group 16. If you’re concerned about the cost of insurance, it’s always worth shopping around for quotes.

The Kia XCeed will cost £150 a year in tax after the first registration. That’s a flat rate that’ll also apply to rivals, except for hybrid alternatives like the Toyota C-HR which’ll save you £10 a year. You could also look at the plug-in hybrid XCeed, too, which costs £140 a year in tax.

There’s no properly basic entry-level Kia XCeed sold in the UK. The most affordable Kia XCeed is the ‘2’ trim level, which comes with things like 16-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. There’s also an eight-inch touchscreen media system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and even a reversing camera. In truth, you probably don’t need much more.

The ‘3’ is packed with desirable ‘nice to have’ features and won’t cost a great deal more on the used market. Standard kit includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch navigation system and privacy glass. It’s a very comfortable choice, with heated front seats (with half faux-leather upholstery), a heated steering wheel and power-adjustable lumbar support (for the driver and front passenger).

Kia loves a special edition model. Look for an XCeed with an Edition badge for things like premium paint (Lunar Silver, Quantum Yellow or Blue Flame), 18-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass, although it’s not as well kitted out as the Kia XCeed 3.

The First Edition model, meanwhile, is ultra-desirable and packed with goodies. Standard kit includes a panoramic sunroof, yellow detailing on the seat upholstery, an electric tailgate and a swish 12.3-inch TFT supervision cluster display. It also gets a JBL premium sound system and a wireless phone charger. It’s loaded with safety kit, too - ranging from a Blind Spot Collision Warning to Smart Cruise Control (on models fitted with the DCT automatic gearbox).