Xceed exceeds expectations for ecstatic Kia

The South Korean brand that we all love to love is filling another niche with its neatly revised newcomer, writes Iain Robertson, that it wants to call an ‘urban crossover utility’, or CUV…forget that…this is Kia’s response to the Ford Focus Active.

Anything Ford can do, Kia can do better, is a new chant for the motor industry. Kia suggests that its new Xceed is a response for those people wanting a more visceral experience than an SUV can provide. To be quite honest, while I think this might be one niche too far, Kia has seldom blotted its copybook with model line errors, so I shall give it a chance.



Built in Slovakia and set to arrive in the UK by September, Xceed is coupe-like and sportily focused. Sitting 42mm higher than a normal Ceed hatchback, with around 174mm of ground clearance, it is stretching the SUV envelope. Much of the interior is shared with the regular Ceed, which means body-colour strips of trim and a well-ordered dashboard layout, with a ‘floating’ touchscreen in the dash centre. It is an established recipe, although it has been enhanced with the instruction of a brand new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that is driver programmable.


Just as the Ceed is exceptionally well-proportioned in its cabin, so, too, is the recently revised Sportage model and the Xceed sits conveniently between the two. The extra ride height also makes for easier access and egress. A slightly longer body equates to a more capacious boot, now up to 426-litres, while the 40:20:40-split of the rear seats, when folded, increases load capacity to 1,378-litres for even greater practicality.



Kia is introducing a new type of hydraulic bump-stop to Xceed’s suspension, which takes advantage of slightly softened front and rear spring rates and provides the car with a supple and pleasant ride quality. Judicious resistance to body roll, allied to quick, reprogrammed power steering ensures that Xceed corners well and is pleasingly balanced all-round.


Engine power ranges from the familiar 117bhp 1.0-litre (triple) and 137bhp 1.4-litre (four-cylinder) T-GDi engines, to the zestiest unit in Kia’s current small capacity line-up, the 1.6-litre 201bhp engine. While these are petrol motors and are sure to be popular, Kia is using the Xceed to introduce its new, super-clean 1.6-litre Smartstream turbo-diesel in either 112, or 133bhp forms; it should be interesting to see which way the pendulum swings. The transmission choice is typical Kia, with either a manual 6-speed, or automated-manual, twin-clutch 7-speed gearbox and idle stop:go is standard on either. In case you wondered, 48v mild-hybrid models will be launched by Kia during 2020.



The new Kia Xceed is a very good-looking car, a factor that will help it to break new ground, once prices are revealed in a few weeks’ time. The customary seven years/100,000-miles warranty will also help Kia’s case. It is anticipated that, with performance levels similar to the Ceed, a blend of decent fuel economy, low exhaust emissions, engaging verve and moderate acceleration times will complete the circle for the brand.

MSG Summary

Another new Kia Ceed derivative highlights that the company’s fertility is consistently strong. Although its potential rivals are thin on the ground at present, Kia might kickstart a whole new generation of ‘CUVs’, from wannabe competitors.

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