Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Kia Cee'd (2012-2018) review

The Kia Cee’d offers practicality and solid build quality, but the driving experience is on the dull side

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
  • Sharp design, improved efficiency, higher spec
  • CO2 emissions still not as low as some, inert chassis
Find your Kia Ceed
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Kia’s new 1.0 three-cylinder turbo engine adds efficiency and cuts emissions in the facelifted Cee’d. It’s been a long time coming, but the downsized unit is worth the wait, delivering adequate performance and lower running costs.

On top of this there’s also a new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox available in conjunction with the higher-powered 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Kia’s also improved the quality and styling inside and out with a few minimal changes and a new sporty-looking trim level – as well as updates to the GT warm hatch – putting the Cee’d back in the running in the family hatch sector.

It may have a rather unconventional name, but the Slovak-built Kia Cee’d is a straightforward and conventional competitor for established European family hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and the Vauxhall Astra.

There are plenty of other options for less badge conscious buyers, of course, including the Hyundai i30, Fiat Tipo, Nissan Pulsar, Skoda Octavia or even the SEAT Leon. That’s a pretty challenging bunch the Cee’d must see off. It was the first Kia to benefit from the famed seven-year warranty, which gives it a unique selling point in the segment.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Best hatchbacks

The first Kia Cee'd arrived in 2006 and represented a watershed moment for the brand. It was the first Kia to be designed and built in Europe, and the prices started from a headline-grabbing £11,000.

It was hardly exciting, but compared with previous models, such as the Cerato, Mentor and Shuma, it represented a quantum leap forward for the Korean giant. We're dozing off just thinking about those old models. Zzzz...

Advertisement - Article continues below

An estate version arrived soon after, wearing an SW tag to inject a little glamour into an otherwise dull but worthy wagon, along with a three-door version, with a Pro_Cee'd badge, to ensure the daft name box wasn't left unchecked.

The Cee'd was facelifted in 2010, before an all-new version was unveiled 2012. By now, the Cee'd had cemented itself as a key player in the family hatchback sector, but it remained a little short of the segment best.

Step forward a new, sharper design, led by European design chief, Gregory Guillaume, and overseen by chief design officer, Peter Schreyer. This time, the Cee'd was about more than just a seven-year warranty.

The current Cee'd – which was given a subtle facelift in 2016 – is slightly prettier than before, better to drive, and blessed with a nicer interior. But the trade-off is an increase in price, with the Cee'd no longer occupying the bargain basement end of the market.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Prices start from just over £15,000 for the admittedly well-equipped Cee'd 1, but you'll pay upwards of £20,000 for the top-spec GT-Line models. You can buy a basic Fiat Tipo for £13,795, possibly less, after a little haggling. In fairness, the Cee’d is cheaper than the entry-level Hyundai i30 and Peugeot 308, and you do get a seven-year warranty.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While the five-door hatchback remains the most popular version of the Cee'd, it's also available in three-door Pro_Cee'd guise and Sportswagon estate.

While the Cee’d name may be unusual, Kia’s trim level nomenclature is more straightforward. The entry level model is the Cee’d 1, while the better equipped models are badged 2, 3 and 4. The GT-Line and GT-Line S models are designed to provide the styling of the Cee’d GT, with no changes to the steering, suspension or brakes.

Spec levels for the Cee’d 1 aren’t bad, with DAB radio and air-con included, as well as Bluetooth, LED running lights and front electric windows. The Cee’d 2 adds 16-inch alloys, 7-inch touchscreen navigation and a reversing camera, as well as electric folding mirrors, cruise control and cornering lights. The Cee’d 3 brings 17-inch alloys, dual zone air-con and parking assist, while the Cee’d 4 adds leather heated seats, a stop/start button, panoramic sunroof and an electronic parking brake.

There’s also a sporty-looking Cee’d GT-Line with side-sill extensions and distinctive front LED ‘Ice Cube’ lights, while the GT-Line S adds Xenon adaptive lighting and Lane Departure warning to the kitbag.

All the Cee’d engines are EU6 compliant for emissions, including the 99bhp 1.4-litre petrol entry-level unit. You can also choose a 133bhp 1.6 petrol, but we rather like the ‘downsized’ 1.0-litre three-cylinder ecoTurbo petrol unit with 118bhp.

Diesel enthusiasts have a decent choice too, with an 89bhp 1.4-litre CRDi and two 1.6-litre turbodiesel options making 108bhp or 134bhp. The latter is offered with Kia’s new seven-speed DCT gearbox.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £23,500Avg. savings £4,311 off RRP*Compare Offers
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £18,395Avg. savings £2,673 off RRP*Compare Offers
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £4,910 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £27,565Avg. savings £2,986 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Cee'd Hatchback

Used Kia Cee'd (Mk2, 2012-2018) review
Used Kia Cee'd - front static

Used Kia Cee'd (Mk2, 2012-2018) review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Kia Cee’d covering the Cee’d Mk2 (2012-2018)
Used car tests
3 Jan 2019
New Kia Ceed 2018 review
New Kia Ceed UK review header

New Kia Ceed 2018 review

Kia's Ford Focus rival shows real promise but it's pricey in this First Edition guise.
Road tests
5 Oct 2018
New Kia Ceed diesel 2018 review
Kia Ceed - front

New Kia Ceed diesel 2018 review

We’ve already tried the petrol version of the all-new Kia Ceed, but now we give our verdict on the diesel-engined hatch
Road tests
2 Aug 2018
Kia Cee’d: £178 per month
Kia Cee'd - front

Kia Cee’d: £178 per month

£178 per month with a £3,750 deposit (0 per cent APR)
Car group tests
15 Feb 2017
Kia Cee’d - best hatchbacks 2017
Kia Cee'd - front

Kia Cee’d - best hatchbacks 2017

Kia now rivals some of the best manufacturers, and the Cee'd is no exception in the hatchback class
Car group tests
10 Jan 2017
Full debut for new sporty Kia Cee'd GT Line model
Kia Cee’d GT Line front

Full debut for new sporty Kia Cee'd GT Line model

Sporty Kia Cee’d to debut at Geneva Motor Show, alongside new turbocharged engine and seven-speed dual clutch gearbox
News
3 Mar 2015
Kia announces new VR7 specification
Kia VR7

Kia announces new VR7 specification

Kia offers new VR7 trim on all Picanto, Rio and Cee’d models, featuring added kit and savings of up to £1,000
News
22 Jan 2014
New Kia Cee'd vs rivals
New Kia Cee'd vs rivals

New Kia Cee'd vs rivals

Can the all-new Kia Cee’d topple the best cars in the class? We test it against the VW Golf and Hyundai i30
Car group tests
30 May 2012
Kia Cee'd video review
Kia Cee'd video review

Kia Cee'd video review

Watch CarBuyer's video review of the all-new Kia Cee'd
Videos
18 May 2012
Kia Cee'd Hatchback review
Kia Cee'd Hatchback front three-quarters

Kia Cee'd Hatchback review

The Kia Cee'd is the firm's Ford Focus rival, and it's solidly built, spacious and well priced
In-depth reviews
5 May 2012
Kia Cee'd 1.4
Kia Cee'd front tracking

Kia Cee'd 1.4

Our verdict on the entry-level petrol version of the all-new Kia Cee'd
Road tests
13 Apr 2012
Skip advert
Advertisement
Kia Cee’d 1.6
Kia Cee’d 1.6 front cornering

Kia Cee’d 1.6

Our verdict on the petrol-powered version of the new Kia Cee'd
Road tests
10 Apr 2012
New Kia Cee'd video review
New Kia Cee'd

New Kia Cee'd video review

Watch our video review of the all-new Kia Cee'd from the launch in Vienna
Videos
30 Mar 2012
Kia Cee’d 1.6D
Kia Cee’d front tracking

Kia Cee’d 1.6D

Does all-new Kia Cee'd finally have what it takes to challenge the Golf and Focus?
Road tests
28 Mar 2012
Kia Cee'd: full details
Kia Cee'd SW

Kia Cee'd: full details

Full details of the new Cee'd have been announced following its official unveiling at Geneva
News
6 Mar 2012
Kia Cee'd review (2007-2011)
Kia Cee’d front

Kia Cee'd review (2007-2011)

The Cee’d is the car that helped Kia shake-off its bargain basement image and establish the firm as a rival to mainstream manufacturers.
In-depth reviews
8 Feb 2011
Kia Cee'd vs Hyundai i30
Kia C'eed vs. Hyundai i30

Kia Cee'd vs Hyundai i30

Hyundai is thinking green on the new-look i30, which has the same engine as sister firm Kia’s Cee’d. But which is the wiser buy for economy minded dri…
Car group tests
17 Sep 2010
Kia cee’d 1.6 crdi

Kia cee’d 1.6 crdi

Ecodynamics tweaks help hatch clean up act.
Road tests
25 Sep 2009
Kia cee’d

Kia cee’d

Acclaimed hatch has gone under knife in a bid to close gap on newer rivals. have the changes been a success?
Road tests
4 Sep 2009
Kia Cee’D: 6,021 miles
Cee'd dor

Kia Cee’D: 6,021 miles

SECOND REPORT: Our three-door Pro_cee’d is a bit of all-white!
Long-term tests
4 Aug 2008
Kia Cee’d
Kia cee’d

Kia Cee’d

Kia dealer turns diesel hatch into a fire-breather.
Road tests
11 Jun 2008
Why Kia Cee'd is a good sport
Kia Cee'd

Why Kia Cee'd is a good sport

Kia’s Cee’d has proved itself in every area, from cruising to carrying loads. but what happened when it entered the world of motorsport?
Long-term tests
30 Jan 2008
Kia Cee'd SW vs Skoda Roomster Scout vs Nissan Qashqai
Kia test

Kia Cee'd SW vs Skoda Roomster Scout vs Nissan Qashqai

Looking for a spacious family car? There’s some interesting contenders – including Kia’s Cee’d SW. We pitch it against Skoda and Nissan rivals
Car group tests
24 Oct 2007