Now in its third generation, the all-new Kia Ceed – designed, developed, engineered and built in Europe – strengthens Kia’s presence in the European C-segment with a mature and athletic new design, innovative new technologies, and a more engaging drive.
The Kia Ceed range has been designed at the brand’s European design centre in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, European Head of Design, and Peter Schreyer, President of Design and Chief Design Officer. Carrying over the sporty, emotional design character of the Stinger, the Ceed conveys a more self-confident new look – one that is both emotive and precise in its execution.
Lower, wider, and with a longer rear overhang than the car it replaces, the Ceed’s cab-rearward silhouette exhibits a more mature sense of athleticism. Straight lines replace the rounded-off edges of its predecessor, evolving the front of the car with a wider ‘tiger-nose’ grille and lower air intake, and precise, linear shapes framing its ‘face’. The new model features ‘ice cube’ LED daytime running lights as standard, echoing the appearance of earlier Kia GT and GT Line models. In profile, the sharp, straight lines visually lengthen the bonnet and give the car a more upright stance. A greater sense of maturity and strength is created in its shoulder line, which now runs along a more horizontal plane. The new model adopts the wide C-pillar that has become a hallmark of Kia design in recent years, enhancing its cab-rearward stance. This also gives the upper window-line a sleek new ‘half-moon’ shape. At the rear, new LED daytime running lights give the Ceed greater visibility – and recognition – on the road.
Constructed on Kia’s new ‘K2’ platform, the Ceed five-door hatchback is 20mm wider (1,800mm) and 23mm lower (1,447mm) than the outgoing model. Its wheelbase remains the same at 2,650mm, with the front overhang shortened by 20mm (to 880mm), and rear overhang extended by 20mm (now 780mm). Its wider dimensions and longer rear overhang create a more assertive and sporty stance, for a more confident presence on the road.
Sharing near-identical dimensions to the five-door hatchback, the Ceed Sportswagon features a longer cargo area and rear overhang. Extending the straight lines of the bodywork, and capped with a subtle tailgate spoiler, the Ceed Sportswagon joins its five-door hatchback sibling in presenting a stable, sporty aesthetic. The rear overhang is extended by 115mm (now 1,070mm) compared to the outgoing model. At 4,600mm in overall length – 95mm longer than its predecessor – the new model offers significantly more cargo space.
From launch, the Ceed range will be available in a choice of 11 paint finishes. A selection of wheels and designs are available, with buyers able to choose from 15-inch steel wheels, 16-inch steel or aluminium wheels, and 17-inch two-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, the Ceed is more ergonomic than ever, and with higher-quality materials used throughout. The cabin architecture from the most recent Kia vehicles has been adapted for the new Ceed, with the dashboard laid out horizontally for a more sculptural, seamless and slimline appearance. This design also creates greater space and a sense of openness for the front passenger, creating more room in the footwell and a clearer view ahead.
For all models, the dash is split into an upper area – for the ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system – and lower area, housing controls for audio and heating and ventilation. Driver-centric in its layout, the centre console is angled slightly towards the driver’s seat for ease of use on the move. The interior is finished in a higher proportion of sophisticated soft-touch materials throughout, subtly intensifying the refined and upscale ambience of the cabin. Surfaces are finished with metallic or satin chrome trim, with buyers able to choose from a range of cloth, synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearstick are also available as an option.
The new platform supports the Ceed’s more efficient packaging, with a more spacious cabin than before, in both hatchback and Sportswagon models. The wider body creates greater shoulder room for rear passengers (increased by 34mm to 1,406mm), while a 16mm-lower seating position in the rear creates sufficient knee and leg room for passengers in the second row. Despite the lower roofline, the platform and lowered front seating position create greater front-row headroom than before (now 987mm). The lower rear bench also ensures similar levels of headroom for rear passengers.
While the Ceed five-door hatchback occupies a similar on-road footprint to its predecessor, it boasts a larger 395-litre boot – increased in size by 15-litres. The boot lip is also substantially lower than before – the lift-over height is reduced by 87mm compared to the outgoing cee’d, making it easier to load heavier items into the boot. A split-level boot floor allows owners to lower or raise the height of the boot floor, to accommodate larger cargo or create a hidden compartment beneath.
The Ceed Sportswagon also boasts significantly higher cargo capacity than ever before. The boot is 97 litres (18 per cent) larger than the outgoing model, expanding to 625 litres in capacity – larger than most D-segment tourers. The boot lip is also substantially lower – the lower lift-over height makes it easier to load heavier items into the boot.
C-segment tourer customers’ expectations go beyond cargo capacity, so Kia’s designers have ensured versatility and usability are key strengths for the Ceed Sportswagon, making it one of the most practical cars in its class. The split-fold rear seats are fitted in a 40:20:40 configuration and can be folded remotely with a single touch from a lever just inside the tailgate. With the seats folded, the boot floor is completely flat. Every Ceed Sportswagon features an underfloor box to secure or hide smaller items, as well as a tonneau cover and a bag hook to prevent groceries and other items rolling around the load bay. Integrated roof rails are also fitted as standard to facilitate supplementary stowage.
Sportswagon customers can also specify a Smart Power Tailgate, which opens automatically when it detects the Ceed’s smart key in close proximity to the tailgate, for occasions when users’ hands are full with heavy cargo. A safety barrier net – between the cabin and the boot – is also available, as well as a net to secure small items, and a luggage floor rail system.
The Ceed range is powered by a wide choice of powertrains developed to meet diverse buyer needs. Petrol options include an updated version of Kia’s popular 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine. The engine produces 120ps and 172 Nm torque, with emissions from 125 g/km, or 122 g/km with the optional ECO Pack (WLTP combined, converted back to NEDC 2.0). See ‘Technologies and Features’ for additional information on the ECO Pack.
A new ‘Kappa’ 1.4-litre T-GDi power unit replaces the earlier 1.6-litre GDI engine and produces 140ps, 4 per cent more than its predecessor despite its lower displacement. The engine’s turbocharger ensures a wider torque band than the earlier 1.6-litre engine, making it more responsive in a wider range of driving conditions – while also reducing emissions. 242 Nm torque is available from 1,500 to 3,200 rpm, with combined emissions (on the WLTP cycle converted back to NEDC 2.0) as low as 125 g/km when fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Manual models emit 130 g/km, or 128 g/km with the ECO Pack.
Both 1.0- and 1.4-litre T-GDi engines are fitted with a petrol particulate filter to further reduce tailpipe emissions, ensuring the Ceed goes beyond the requirements of the Euro 6d TEMP standard.
A 100ps 1.4-litre MPi (multi-point injection) engine is also available, with 134 Nm torque. The 1.4-litre MPI emits 142 g /km carbon dioxide on the combined cycle (WLTP converted back to NEDC 2.0), or 137 g/km when equipped with the ECO Pack.
The Ceed is also available with Kia’s all-new ‘U3’ diesel engine. Designed to go beyond the stricter limits laid down by the latest Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard, the new ‘U3’ 1.6-litre CRDi (common-rail direct injection) uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) active emissions control technology to significantly reduce emissions. The new engine therefore produces less carbon dioxide, particulate matter and NOx compared to earlier Kia diesel engines. Available with a choice of power outputs (115 and 136ps), the new 1.6-litre diesel produces 280 or 300 Nm torque in its lower state of tune when paired with manual or dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) respectively. The 136ps version also produces 280 Nm when paired with a six-speed manual transmission, and 320 Nm with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The new engine emits less CO2 than others in the Ceed line-up. With a six-speed manual transmission, the 115 ps version emits just 101 g/km (combined, WLTP, converted back to NEDC 2.0), or 99 g/km with the ECO Pack. Models fitted with a dual-clutch transmission produce 105 g/km for the low-powered engine. Emissions for the higher-powered engine are as low as from 106 g/km (104 g/km with Eco ECO) for manual models, and 109 g/km when paired with Kia’s dual-clutch transmission.
Every engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, while the new 1.4-litre T-GDi and 1.6-litre CRDi engines are available with Kia’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
In 2019, the Ceed will be available with Kia’s new ‘EcoDynamics+’ 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, to further reduce CO2 emissions. The ‘EcoDynamics+’ powertrain supplements acceleration with power from a 48-volt battery, while a new Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator unit extends engine ‘off time’ with a ‘Moving Stop & Start’ function.
On-sale in the UK from 1 August with pricing starting from £18,295
