Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Pro_cee’d GT

‘Warm’ Kia Pro_cee'd hatch looks great and is extremely classy but fails to deliver an exciting drive

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Kia ProCeed
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

The Kia Pro_cee’d GT has the looks to fit in with the rest of the hot hatch competition, but it’s a bit short on the fun factor. Its steering doesn’t feel suited to a performance hatch, and on Britain’s rutted city streets the ride seems too firm. When you’ve got extremely capable cars such as the Leon SC FR at the same price, the Pro_cee’d GT doesn’t quite match up.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The  Kia Pro_cee’d GT is proof that Kia believes its brand image is strong enough in the UK to launch its first ever hot hatch.

To term the newcomer as a hot hatch may be overselling it slightly, as even Kia prefers you call it ‘warm’, with its 201bhp 1.6-litre turbo seriously outgunned by models such as the 247bhp Ford Focus ST. As a result, it feels punchy but not with the kind of manic mid-range boost and top-end shove you get in the current crop of fast hatchbacks.

Instead, there’s a generous kick of torque between 1,750rpm and 4,000rpm, but try to take the engine past that and it soon runs out of puff. Still, a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds confirms that this car is no slouch, although the engine note is a bit of a drone.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Ateca

2025 SEAT

Ateca

19,591 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,086
View Ateca
C-HR

2022 Toyota

C-HR

30,493 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,790
View C-HR
C3 Aircross

2019 Citroen

C3 Aircross

49,228 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £8,999
View C3 Aircross
TT

2023 Audi

TT

61,207 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £16,499
View TT

• Kia news and reviews

Its big test comes in corners, and it’s here that the GT doesn’t feel sufficiently special. There’s more front grip than in a standard Pro_cee’d, but the steering does not feel quick or weighty enough. It means that where a Focus or VW Golf feel eager, the GT seems more ponderous. Not enough information is passed through the steering wheel to the driver, either, disappointing anyone expecting to find a cut-price GTI rival. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Also, despite not feeling as quick or fun as its rivals, the Kia’s suspension actually seems firmer than most cars this side of a Renaultsport Megane 265. This is fine on bumpy B-roads, but on rough city streets abrupt thuds make their way into the cabin.

That’s a shame, because it detracts from the premium feel that’s apparent everywhere in the Pro_cee’d GT. The interior looks great, with classy additions such as the sports steering wheel and excellent sports seats, and refinement is top-notch. There’s more tyre roar at motorway speeds, but the low level of wind noise is impressive, as is room in the back seats and boot.

Despite those low-slung looks, adults fit in comfortably, and the 360-litre load space (plus 20 litres under the boot floor) is competitive. Our major gripe is the fact that the upwards-sweeping window line makes it really tricky to check your blindspot when changing lines.

The Pro_cee’d GT starts from £19,995 – far cheaper than the near-£26,000 Golf GTI, but not far off the £21,995 Focus ST. As we said, though, the Kia doesn’t really fit in this company; it should perhaps be considered alongside the SEAT Leon SC FR 1.8 TSI.

It has the same performance and eye-catching looks and can be specced with all the kit of the £22,495 GT Tech – it comes with sat-nav, 18-inch alloys and part-leather seats – for about the same price. Swinging things in the SEAT’s favour is the fact it’s cheaper to insure and run, more comfortable and feels more fun.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £2,116 off RRP*Used from £18,900
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025