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.

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 some of the most daunting competition in the automotive world – the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, to name but three – so it’s no surprise that the firm has gone to great lengths to help the Ceed stand out.

As well as the new name, the Ceed has become a four-strong family of models. So now, there’s a five-door hatchback, Sportswagon estate, the ProCeed shooting brake and new Xceed crossover.

• The best hatchbacks to buy now

There are seven trim lines to choose from. Slightly confusingly, the range kicks off with the Ceed 2, followed by 2 Nav and 3. Then there are the ‘GT’ badged versions: GT-Line, GT-Line S and Ceed GT. The S variant is actually more expensive than the Ceed GT – offering extra luxury kit such as heated rear seats, a JBL premium sound system and tilt/slide sunroof, compared to the GT’s more sporting pretensions. In addition to these core equipment levels, there is the GT-Line Lunar Edition, priced between the GT-Line and GT-Line S models.

The engine line-up gives buyers a choice of 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrols – the latter being the high performance model of the range so far, the Ceed GT with 201bhp – and a 1.6 diesel in 114bhp and 134bhp states of tune. All cars are built on Kia’s new K2 platform, and are all front-wheel drive. A six-speed manual is standard, with a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox available with the 1.4 petrol and higher-powered diesel versions.

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, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, the Ceed’s rivals include the Hyundai i30, which uses the same engines (in different states of tune), gearboxes and platform, the Honda Civic, SEAT Leon and Peugeot 308.

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

CheapestCheapest vehiclesOur 'cheapest' pick is the model with the lowest on the road retail price.Close

Most EconomicalMost economical vehiclesOur 'most economical' pick is the model with the best fuel economy on the WLTP combined cycle.Close

FastestFastest vehiclesOur 'fastest' pick is the model with the fastest time for the 0-62mph or 0-60mph sprint.Close