We test the new KIA Ceed, and we help you choose the best version

Driving the new KIA Ceed has allowed us to confirm what we already suspected: the third generation of the Korean compact is ready to put up a serious fight.

The new KIA Ceed was first shown to the public at the last Geneva Motor Show, where we discovered the main novelties of the third-generation Ceed. We then delved into its changes and looked at it from every angle, describing the technology of the new KIA Ceed. And now we have taken the wheel, at the international press presentation held in Portugal.

KIA justifies the name change, from cee’d to Ceed, by referring to the meaning of these letters as the acronym for “Community of Europe with European Design”.

We have tested different engine versions of the new KIA Ceed, on the motorway and on winding roads. We also took it onto a small circuit, and carried out specific safety tests, such as an emergency avoidance manoeuvre on a wet surface. And I can tell you in advance that the new KIA Ceed has won us over. Let’s see why.

If you want to know the prices available across the whole range, visit this article.

Interior of the KIA Ceed: spacious, comfortable and well finished

When you sit behind the wheel of the Ceed and drive it, or when you examine its settings, the materials used and the quality of the build, it quickly becomes clear that this is a well-made car.

Its bodywork in the five-door version is slightly lower, retains the same length and is slightly wider, which helps the new KIA Ceed maintain its competitive position against its rivals in terms of interior space, competing with models such as the Opel Astra, the Seat León, the Peugeot 308, the Renault Mégane and the new Ford Focus. Structurally, the KIA Ceed shares many mechanical elements with the Hyundai i30.

The dashboard design places the multimedia system screen in a floating position, while keeping classic buttons, all well positioned and easy to reach, for operating the main functions such as the climate control or the navigation. With the short gear lever, during spirited driving the central armrest can get in the way a little, and there is a generous storage space beneath it. I particularly liked the location and operation of the tray with the wireless charging system for mobile phones.

The boot increases its capacity by 15 litres in the five-door Ceed, reaching 395 litres, one of the best figures in its class. With a rear overhang that is 95 mm longer, the KIA Ceed with estate bodywork rises to 650 litres, a capacity typical of some estates in the higher segment.

KIA Ceed engines: five options

Three petrol engines and two diesels make up the launch line-up of the KIA Ceed range, which goes on sale in September. All are already known from other models in the brand, although some include improvements to meet the Euro 6d emissions standard, such as the arrival of the particulate filter on the 1.6 CRDi, offered in versions of 110 and 136 CV.

In petrol, you can choose between a 1.4 naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 100 CV, the 1.0 T-GDI three-cylinder with 120 CV, and the 1.4 T-GDI four-cylinder with 140 CV. We have not tried the least powerful one, but it will hardly justify the price difference with the 120 CV 1.0 for the same equipment, unless the price gap is outrageous. The “small” three-cylinder can consume very little… or go very fast, and it runs smoothly; so much so that it is hard to tell it is a three-cylinder. Because of the long gearing it may feel as if it lacks strength, but if you handle the gearbox well, it is really a very recommendable option for all kinds of use: city driving and even long trips with the car fully loaded.

With the 1.4 T-GDi it is easier to regain speed if you have to brake for any reason, and you do not need to work the gear lever so much. It is a very competitive engine compared with the others in its class for capacity and power, and it works very well with the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. From what we have tried, and from what we know of the i30, the 1.4 T-GDI is a perfect engine for anyone who wants to rule out the diesel option. That said, the 1.6 CRDi, which remains a safe bet when it comes to combining performance and low consumption in either of its two versions, although it is not as smooth as the two petrol engines.

The following table shows the different versions with the most important figures for power, performance and consumption.

On the road with the KIA Ceed: agile and comfortable

The dynamic behaviour is one of the aspects that impressed us most about the new KIA Ceed. It is not only more comfortable; at the same time it feels a notch more agile. This has been achieved thanks to the greater rigidity of the new platform, and to a complete recalibration of the springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, as well as a more direct steering rack that offers better feel and more precision.

Worth highlighting is the excellent grip – verified on the road and on the circuit – of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, which can be specified as an option on versions fitted with 17-inch wheels. The drive mode selector that lets you choose between three driving modes is now also added, although only on versions with the 7DCT automatic gearbox, optional for the 1.4 T-GDi petrol and for the more powerful diesel.

Overall, it is surprising that with a suspension that feels firm, the ride comfort is not compromised even on versions with wide tyres. It is not a particularly sporty car, but it strikes a very well-judged balance between agility and comfort.

The equipment and the KIA Ceed range in detail

From the combination of the five engine versions and the Concept, Drive, Tech and Emotion trim levels, there are 18 versions making up the KIA Ceed range on the Spanish market. The base engine, the 1.4 with 100 CV, is offered with the first three trims, while the 1.4 T-GDI is not combined with the entry-level Concept trim. Both the 1.0 T-GDI and the 1.6 CRDi in its two power outputs can be chosen with any of the four equipment levels.

The good thing about the KIA Ceed is that all versions come with a very generous standard specification. The Concept includes air conditioning, cruise control, light sensor, auxiliary input and USB, as well as a steering wheel and gear lever knob trimmed in leather. Among the standard assistance and safety systems are the dynamic main-beam headlights, the front collision warning system, fatigue detection and the lane-keeping assist system.

We move up a level with the Drive trim, which adds 205/55 tyres with 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and cornering lights, dual-zone climate control, rain sensor, a 7-inch touchscreen audio system and a rear camera compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an electrochromic interior mirror.

More high-tech, but also sportier, the KIA Ceed in Tech trim adds to the above the 17-inch wheels with 225/45 tyres, folding exterior mirrors, tinted glass, an 8-inch navigation screen with TomTom connected services, a wireless phone charger and rear parking sensors, as the most significant elements.

The top-of-the-range Emotion trim has absolutely everything. On top of the full Tech specification, it adds a traffic sign recognition system, blind-spot detection, a panoramic sunroof, an electric parking brake, LED headlights, sporty pedals, a Supervision instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch screen, a JBL audio system, a keyless entry system with push-button start, front parking sensors and an automatic parking assist system.

The only drawback is that this combination of versions, trims and equipment is practically closed, and does not allow you to configure a KIA Ceed to your liking. To get a car with some of the features you want, you will have to take others that you may not need.

The final prices have yet to be confirmed. But, as is customary for the brand, and with the current KIA Ceed on sale as a reference, we can anticipate that this is one of the compacts with the best balance of value, price and equipment in its category. Our recommended version is the Tech trim, although we would have liked to be able to choose an option with less “aggressive” tyres. Something like 215/55 on 16-inch wheels as an alternative for the less powerful engines would be perfect.

The KIA Ceed models that will come in the future.

In the future, by 2019, the body offering will be expanded with a “shooting brake” version, a very sporty and dynamic estate. KIA has also announced that there will be a version with the 48-volt Mild Hybrid system like the one already announced for the KIA Sportage. The successful GT Line versions are also expected, as well as a high-performance variant with a 1.6 Turbo engine.