Road test Kia XCeed 1.4 T-GDi 140 CV: the crossover that isn't afraid of Europeans

For years, the dominance of European brands has made life difficult for competitors from Asia, who have tried to snatch the throne from them. However, not long ago Kia woke from a slumber that could have proved fatal, and its forceful response has managed to hold back the titans on this side of the pond. One of its biggest offensives has been the new Ceed family, of which we have been able to try the flagship in pristine condition, the XCeed.

And so for a week we have been living with the Kia XCeed in its 1.4 T-GDi variant in order to answer one question: is the Korean brand really ready to take on its powerful European rivals? Without a doubt, Kia’s formula is convincing at first glance thanks to a different design, an overwhelming technological arsenal and a very interesting tuning, but will it have been enough? Let’s find out.

Elegance, subtlety and muscle

I think it’s about time we buried the hatchet with Kia, a brand that has left behind that bland and bittersweet design language to adopt slender and harmonious lines. This evolution is clearly visible in the XCeed, a model that inherits part of the design philosophy of the Stinger and uses a series of patterns that, personally, I think work really well.

And the Korean designers have known how to combine with great mastery that clear crossover DNA with touches of sportiness. We quickly noticed this pairing at the front, where a sharp ensemble of grille, headlights and bumper blends with different black plastic trims that seek to convey the rugged air Kia has given the XCeed.

The side profile is, for me -and forgive me for bringing my personal opinion into such a subjective section- the most attractive area of the Korean crossover. Thanks to muscular and very well-defined lines, the XCeed has an imposing presence on the road, although the steep drop of the C-pillar is what creates that more stylised look typical of a coupé.

The rear continues with that same language in which a somewhat rugged design joins smooth lines with great success, resulting in slim, elongated taillights and a more abrupt, exaggerated bumper in which a bold fake exhaust outlet sits; a slap on the wrist for Kia.

A modern cabin with no reservations whatsoever

That same feeling that Kia has improved the design of its cars can also be seen inside, where there is now an atmosphere of modernity and technology, qualities that work hand in hand. It’s true that the Korean brand doesn’t use as many visual flourishes as some of its competitors, but personally, I appreciate that.

At first you’ll come across a completely round steering wheel with a pleasant feel that seeks to avoid the dreaded flat-bottomed look. Behind it sits a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster which, while not offering as much personalisation as others, is intuitive, easy to use and has a more than acceptable resolution and graphics level.

Dominating the dashboard is a generous 10.25-inch screen that features both touch functionality and physical controls to access different menus. As with the digital instrumentation, using it is very comfortable and easy, and I can only fault a perhaps overly upright position, which sometimes makes it hard to see clearly what it is showing.

To this abundant technological arsenal we must add a very respectable quality of finish, where everything you can touch feels pleasant. This is also thanks to the fact that there aren’t many hard plastics in the XCeed’s cabin, and those that are present are well fitted; nothing flashy, but you won’t hear any creaking from certain parts either.

As far as comfort goes, Kia offers two wide and comfortable front seats that will suit anyone regardless of their size. I can’t say the same of the rear row, which, while still offering a high level of comfort, has limited headroom due to the steep roofline, especially for taller passengers.

Finally, there is a boot with a claimed capacity of 426 litres, a figure more than enough to comfortably accommodate the luggage of four occupants. Its almost flat loading lip makes it easy to put items in despite a somewhat high ground clearance, but if you need more space you can always fold down the rear seats for a generous 1,378 litres.

Dynamic and direct like few others

Without a doubt, the sporty and imposing design of the Kia XCeed is very appealing and invites us to think that we are facing a car that escapes the typically clumsy behaviour of SUVs and crossovers. It’s inevitable to be somewhat sceptical of this type of body style, which is why the Korean car caused me some uncertainty in the days before our meeting; nothing could be further from the truth.

Before getting into it, allow me to introduce the powertrain that brought the Kia XCeed to life during the week I spent with it. It is a 1.4 T-GDi four-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of delivering 140 CV and 242 Nm of torque, figures managed by a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

This engine is a very sensible option, offering performance that is more than sufficient to get around successfully in any situation. The 242 Nm of torque arrive early in the rev range, at 1,500 rpm, providing a not outrageous but noticeable push. The 140 CV appear at 6,000 rpm, creating an overall linear sensation with no major power peaks, but one suited to covering journeys on both motorway and city roads.

The DCT gearbox deserves a special mention, a unit that performs remarkably well with astonishing speed and smoothness. At no point will you notice jerks between shifts or abruptness, qualities that also shine when using the sequential mode, which is operated via the gear selector itself. Without a doubt, an extra well worth considering if you’ll be a frequent visitor to the urban environment.

But the Kia XCeed hasn’t surprised me because of its engine’s good work or the fine calibration of its automatic gearbox, but because of its dynamics. The Korean crossover wiped out in one stroke all my scepticism after I had the chance to experience all kinds of roads at its controls. On the motorway, the XCeed behaves in a way that invites you to cover hundreds of kilometres at its wheel, a sensation conveyed by a suspension that isn’t too firm and an overall smoothness capable of enhancing the comfort it offers.

On that terrain, the XCeed can return consumption of 6.5 litres at legal speeds, a figure that doesn’t stand out compared with its most direct rivals but isn’t excessive. In town, you’ll find a car that at first glance seems rather bulky, but in reality it’s genuinely easy to manoeuvre through the streets. This too is possible thanks to numerous driver assistance systems, but it is let down by poor rear visibility due to a small rear window. It should come as no surprise that average consumption rises to 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city.

It is on twisty roads, however, that the Korean crossover reveals the side that has shown me its bold styling isn’t merely the product of the design trends that currently dictate the industry’s aesthetic codes. Direct and precise steering, as few do -not only in its segment, but in general- lets you know at all times what is happening on the tarmac, while the suspension delivers on its promise thanks to a very well-balanced setup, offering comfort and dynamism in equal measure.

With this in mind, I wouldn’t dare call the final result outright sporty, since its engine falls short of meeting all the requirements that adjective demands. However, it is certainly a car that offers unusually dynamic behaviour, a very well-judged setup and technology that few manufacturers offer at this price today.

Conclusion

It’s true that numerous brands have over-saturated the SUV and crossover segment, in a way that is even harmful, but Kia has dared to offer a different formula. The XCeed arrives on the market with a groundbreaking look despite its clear rugged touches, with a very generous technological arsenal and with dynamic behaviour that drastically departs from what one expects from a crossover.

On top of this we must add more than acceptable interior quality and practicality similar to that of any mid-size compact. Of course, there are still very interesting alternatives on the market, but the Kia XCeed stands out as an option thanks to a value for money that is hard to beat.

You can get an XCeed for 16,450 euros, a figure that rises to 25,566 euros if you opt for a configuration identical to that of the test unit, that is, Emotion trim and the 1.4 T-GDi 140 CV engine paired with the DCT automatic gearbox.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverKIA XCeed14 versions · from 28,585 €