Kia's trendy XCeed compact family SUV gets an update. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Kia's XCeed has proved useful for this Korean maker in giving the brand yet another option to meet the needs of buyers seeking a stylish, well-equipped compact SUV. Hence the care taken in creating this updated version, which has sportier styling, an enhanced interior and an efficient choice of powertrains. You might feel that this bulging segment doesn't really need any further options but Kia was determined that the Ceed family should offer one and has engineered this smart Crossover contender with characteristic thoroughness.

Background

It's easy to see why Kia is offering this XCeed compact SUV; sales of Crossover models like this are going through the roof just at present. It's less easy to see where it fits within the Korean maker's model line-up. After all, at much the same price point as more affordable XCeed variants, Kia has its Stonic small Crossover. And plusher XCeed derivatives overlap with the brand's Niro SUV hybrids and some versions of the company's mid-sized Sportage SUV. Then of course there are also versions of the Ceed hatch, the Ceed Sportswagon estate and the ProCeed sports estate. Complicated isn't it...

What is clear is that the Xceed, launched in 2019, has been a strong seller for the Korean brand, accounting for over 10% of its overall sales. Hence the importance of the mid-term facelift which has created the car we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

For the UK market, Kia has slimmed down the engine range to just two units, dispensing with the previous 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol unit and the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel. Instead, the volume model gets a conventional 1.5-litre T-GDI petrol powerplant with 160PS. The alternative, as before, is a 1.6-litre PHEV powertrain with 141PS, which combines a four cylinder GDI petrol engine with an 8.9kWh battery pack, a 44.5kW electric motor and 6-speed dual clutch auto transmission. The PHEV derivative has a 29 mile EV range - much the same as before.

Steering feel has received some attention too: the electronic control unit governing the power steering motor has been tuned to deliver a quicker initial response to driver inputs, though Kia has also made response slightly lighter to reduce driver fatigue on longer journeys and at low speeds. As before, there's a 'Drive Mode Select' system with 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' settings so that drivers can fine-tune steering weight, throttle response and (on auto variants) gear shift speeds. And as usual, all XCeeds get lane keep assist and forward collision warning fitted as standard.

Design and Build

If you happen to be familiar with the Xceed, you'll immediately notice the changes that Kia has made to this updated version. The front grille has been restyled, as have the LED headlamps that flank it, plus there's a revised front bumper and air intake design. Otherwise things are much as before.

Inside, the main change applies only to top 'GT-Line'-spec; the addition of a 12.3-inch 'Supervision' digital instrument cluster to replace the analogue dials fitted elsewhere in the range. Across the line-up, Kia says there's a 'sportier' driving position too. As before, there's a 'floating' touchscreen infotainment monitor in the centre of the dash, which is either 8-inch or 10.25-inches (depending on spec), with the bigger screen linking into 'Kia Connect', a system that links drivers to the world around them by providing invaluable information via the in-car touchscreen or through the Kia Connect app. Featuring Kia Live services accessed through the vehicle's infotainment system, Kia Connect uses its own eSIM card to retrieve and update live data during a drive.

Market and Model

XCeed pricing kicks off from just under £23,000 and rises up to just under £30,000 in conventional form, offered with a choice of '2', '3' and 'GT-Line' trim levels, all featuring manual transmission and Kia's 1.5-litre T-GDI petrol engine. The PHEV plug-in model prices from around £32,500 and only comes with '3'-spec.

All versions are well equipped, with even base '2'-spec versions getting 16-inch alloy wheels, LED bi-function headlights and a 7-speaker sound system. There's also cruise control with a speed limiter, a reversing camera and a 'Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist' system with city, pedestrian and cyclist protection. Move up to '3'-spec and you get 18-inch wheels and the base 8-inch infotainment screen is replaced by a more sophisticated 10.25-inch central monitor, plus there's privacy glass, heated front seats and dual-zone air conditioning. From this level upwards, you also get the 'Kia Connect' range of online services so that you can interact with your XCeed via a provided smartphone app.

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the WLTP figures. For the 1.5 T-GDi petrol, expect just over 40mpg on the combined cycle and around 150g/km of CO2. Many XCeed buyers though, will want the 1.6-litre petrol-powered plug-in hybrid version of this car. This delivers 201.8mpg on the combined cycle and 32g/km of CO2. In its EV mode, the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is capable of travelling up to 36 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to recharge its battery pack to 100 per cent using a 3.3kW AC charger.

A strong buying incentive is much-trumpeted 7 year / 100,000 warranty which, like the 'Care-3' servicing packages, is transferrable to future owners. However, it is worth pointing out that the warranty only offers unlimited mileage for the first three years you own the car; thereafter, you'll have a 100,000 mileage restriction. If in future, the car is sold through a Kia Used Approved Dealership when less than 18 months old or with less than 18,000 miles on the clock, the warranty will be topped up to match that of a new model. You might also want to note that roadside assistance cover is limited to one year, but you do get a long 12 year bodywork warranty.

Summary

Likely XCeed buyers will like the looks; they'll appreciate how it's so easy to switch into this car from something more ordinary; and they'll value the long 7 year warranty. In short, if you're shopping for this kind of car, there are plenty of reasons why you might want this one.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Kia XCeed

PRICES: £20,795-£29,195

INSURANCE GROUP: 15E-18A

CO2 EMISSIONS: 109-142g/km [NEDC]

PERFORMANCE: [1.4 T-GDI] 0-62mph 9.1s / Top Speed 124mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0 CRDi] 52.3mpg (combined) [WLTP]

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ESP, ABS with EBA, hill assist control, emergency stop signal, six airbags

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4395/1826/1495mm