Skip advert
Advertisement

New Kia Ceed spied with futuristic look as launch approaches

Kia’s next-generation family hatchback will feature fresh styling and lots of tech

The family hatchback is not dead. Not according to Kia anyway, as the Korean brand looks to be preparing a brand new generation of its Kia Ceed hatch for the UK and Europe. The new Ceed will replace the current generation car, which has only been on sale since the beginning 2018, but so fast is the evolution of Kia’s design language and tech that this new and far more striking generation can’t come soon enough. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Kia Ceed will retain its basic front-wheel drive layout, but will probably grow in size as it’ll no longer set to be a EU-specific model.

Having a presence in such a wide spread of markets around the world, Kia and its sister company Hyundai have long been in the habit of designing different cars for different countries, rather than single global models. This strategy had applied to the current Ceed, which was developed specifically for the European market but all that will change with this new generation car. As Kia looks to globalise more of its models, the new UK Kia Ceed will be a version of the C-segment K4 hatchback that’s just been revealed for South Korea and the USA. 

As a result, we already have a very good idea of what to expect when the new Ceed is revealed later this year, potentially with a few changes here and there. The overall body looks to be longer and lower than before, featuring lots of Kia’s modern design signatures such as slim, vertical headlights, a thin upper grille and clever use of black trim. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

While there is a flap for a door handle on the rear door, we can clearly see a hidden unit mounted just by the C-pillar, a technique used by lots of manufacturers to make cars look sportier. The overall shape also looks much wider and more aggressive than today’s Ceed, framed at the rear by thin LED lights that loop their way around from the middle of the tailgate to the far edges of the tail. 

The cabin will also be a direct carry-over from the K4 hatch, so that should see the use of a much more modern dual-screen setup perched on top of a thin and minimalist dashboard. Not yet confirmed for Europe is the funky asymmetric colour scheme available on the K4 saloon in Kia’s native Korean market, which actually sees the driver and passenger’s doors finished in different colours. 

The range of engines will probably include a selection of small petrol motors, most with some form of mild-hybrid assistance. It’s not known whether a plug-in hybrid is on the cards, but a Golf-rivalling diesel is not likely due to limited demand in markets outside of Europe. Given that the car’s already been unveiled for overseas markets, we suspect we won’t have to wait long to see the new European Kia Ceed model in full. 

Click here for our list of the best family cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior staff writer

Senior staff writer at Auto Express, Jordan joined the team after six years at evo magazine where he specialised in news and reviews of cars at the high performance end of the car market. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best cars for £20,000 or less
Best used cars for £20,000 or less - header image

Best cars for £20,000 or less

£20k is serious used car money, these are our favourite buys for that kind of budget
Best cars & vans
14 Feb 2025
New Kia Ceed K4 GT-Line Turbo 2025 review: family hatch is bigger and bolder than ever
Kia Ceed - front tracking

New Kia Ceed K4 GT-Line Turbo 2025 review: family hatch is bigger and bolder than ever

The Kia K4 will eventually become the new Ceed in the UK, and it’s taking a big step upmarket
Road tests
16 Jan 2025
Best used hatchbacks to buy now
Best used hatchbacks - header image

Best used hatchbacks to buy now

Hatchbacks offer great practicality, low running costs and comfort – these are the best used hatchbacks on the market
Best cars & vans
21 Nov 2024

Most Popular

It’s not just electric cars that are overpriced
Opinion - expensive cars

It’s not just electric cars that are overpriced

Not matter how good a new car might be, Mike Rutherford thinks it will ultimately fail if it's overpriced
Opinion
16 Feb 2025
New Kia EV4 revealed at last! Volkswagen ID.3 rival incoming
Kia EV4 saloon - front

New Kia EV4 revealed at last! Volkswagen ID.3 rival incoming

First official images of Kia’s electric family car have surfaced, and it looks all but identical to the concept
News
16 Feb 2025
New Nissan Leaf and Micra confirmed for 2025, plus next-generation hybrid tech for Qashqai
New Nissan Leaf - front 3/4

New Nissan Leaf and Micra confirmed for 2025, plus next-generation hybrid tech for Qashqai

Nissan’s big plans for 2025 may also include a new plug-in hybrid system for the X-Trail
News
17 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts