Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Kia XCeed review

The jacked-up Kia XCeed adds some extra practicality to the Ceed model family

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Price
£24,340 - £31,915
  • Good to drive
  • Lots of standard kit
  • Fantastic warranty
  • Some engines are noisy
  • Disappointing dual-clutch auto gearbox
  • Interior feels a bit dated
Find your Kia XCeed
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

As a stylish, slightly more practical alternative to the Kia Ceed hatchback, the Kia XCeed fills a niche in the South Korean manufacturer’s range. It’s about the same size its Niro stablemate, but more akin to rivals like the Toyota C-HR in its combination of design flair and driver focus. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Standard equipment is generous, there’s more space inside than you’ll find in the Ceed hatch and the XCeed is both more comfortable and more fun to drive than its conventional hatchback sibling. However, the XCeed’s place in Kia’s range means there’s plenty of competition from within – a Kia Sportage is a great choice if you want a full-blown SUV, while the Kia Niro offers low day-to-day running costs.

About the Kia XCeed

The XCeed fills the gap between the Stonic and Niro in the Kia range, but is about the same size as the latter. It's positioned as the more stylish choice, its sharp looks setting it apart and taking the fight to more expensive, premium-badged rivals like the Mercedes GLA and Audi Q2. Other rivals include the Toyota CH-R, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen T-Roc and the MINI Countryman.

A facelift in 2022 brought in some exterior styling changes which give the XCeed a fresher feel, while the engine and trim options have been streamlined. The 2 and 3 specifications are now joined by the GT-Line and GT-Line S in the lineup, while there's a 158bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine offered alongside a 139bhp plug-in hybrid unit. The 118bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is no longer available from new.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The XCeed plug-in hybrid model is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, with an 8.9kWh battery and a 59bhp electric motor, delivering around 30 miles of electric range. The PHEV uses a six-speed DCT automatic transmission, while the pure petrol model comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, although there is the option of having the DCT auto in combination with the GT-Line S trim. Despite its SUV-inspired looks, the XCeed is available exclusively with front-wheel drive.

Regardless of your trim choice, the XCeed comes with great standard equipment. The entry-level 2 gets 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, cruise control and a parking camera, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity – more than enough kit for most buyers. The step up to 3 trim adds a heating function for the front seats and steering wheel, along with a bigger 10.25-inch infotainment screen, rear privacy glass and keyless go.

The 3 and GT-Line versions are similarly equipped, although the GT-Line offers sportier touches such as black exterior trim, aluminium pedals and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The GT-Line S delivers luxury extras such as a panoramic sliding sunroof, black leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital driver's display and a wireless charging function.

All XCeed models feature hydraulic bump stops and reworked suspension that give a smoother, softer ride than its Ceed sibling; the result is a car that’s relaxing to drive and settles down nicely on the motorway. It’s good to drive on twistier roads, too; the raised ride height doesn’t impact negatively on the car’s handling. 

Elsewhere, there’s a boot that’s usefully larger than the Ceed hatchback’s and a bit more space in the rear for passengers. If you like the idea of a small SUV that’s stylish, practical and good to drive, the Kia XCeed is worth a test drive.

For an alternative review of the Kia XCeed, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5T GDi ISG 138 2 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £24,340

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5T GDi ISG 138 2 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £24,340

Fastest

  • Name
    1.5T GDi ISG 138 2 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £24,340
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on XCeed

Show me:
Best crossover cars to buy 2024
Best crossover cars - header image

Best crossover cars to buy 2024

Small car costs with a little SUV muscle, these are the best crossovers on the market
Best cars & vans
25 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Kia XCeed is quirky, appealing and cheap at just £206 per month
Kia XCeed PHEV - front static

Car Deal of the Day: Kia XCeed is quirky, appealing and cheap at just £206 per month

With eye-catching design, a well-built cabin and the right price, the Kia XCeed is our Deal of the Day for 7 March
News
7 Mar 2024
Used Kia XCeed (2019-date) review: a hatch that thinks it’s an SUV
Used Kia XCeed - front

Used Kia XCeed (2019-date) review: a hatch that thinks it’s an SUV

A full used buyer's guide on the Kia XCeed that's been on sale in the UK since 2019
Used car tests
31 Oct 2023
New range-topping Kia Ceed and ProCeed GT-Line S models launched
Kia Ceed GT-Line S

New range-topping Kia Ceed and ProCeed GT-Line S models launched

Due to popular demand, Kia has re-introduced the GT-Line S trim level for its Ceed and ProCeed, which offers a smattering of extra kit and a dual-clut…
News
20 Feb 2023
New Kia XCeed PHEV 2022 review
Kia XCeed PHEV - front

New Kia XCeed PHEV 2022 review

Is plug-in hybrid the best version of the updated Kia XCeed crossover?
Road tests
21 Oct 2022
New Kia XCeed 2022 review
Kia XCeed - front tracking

New Kia XCeed 2022 review

A number of subtle enhancements are intended to keep the top-selling XCeed in fighting form against its crossover rivals, but it’s beginning to show i…
Road tests
14 Oct 2022
New Kia XCeed facelift gets £22,995 price tag
Kia XCeed - front

New Kia XCeed facelift gets £22,995 price tag

Tech, design and interior updates make up a series of subtle but important enhancements for Kia’s big-selling family crossover
News
11 Aug 2022
Citroen C4 vs Kia XCeed: 2022 twin test review
Citroen C4 and Kia XCeed - tracking

Citroen C4 vs Kia XCeed: 2022 twin test review

We find out which high-riding crossover hatchback is best
Car group tests
29 Mar 2022
Citroen C4 vs Mazda CX-30 vs Kia XCeed
Citroen C4 vs Mazda CX-30 vs Kia XCeed

Citroen C4 vs Mazda CX-30 vs Kia XCeed

We pitch the new Citroen C4, Mazda CX-30 and Kia XCeed against each other in a crossover clash
Car group tests
1 May 2021
New Kia XCeed 1.5 T-GDi 2021 review
Kia XCeed - front

New Kia XCeed 1.5 T-GDi 2021 review

The new 1.5-litre petrol engine boosts the appeal of the Kia XCeed crossover hatch
Road tests
9 Apr 2021
New Kia XCeed PHEV 2020 review

New Kia XCeed PHEV 2020 review

The Kia XCeed PHEV crossover provides efficient family transport, although it's compromised in a few key areas.
Road tests
15 Jul 2020
Skip advert
Advertisement
New 2020 Kia XCeed PHEV: prices, specs and release date

New 2020 Kia XCeed PHEV: prices, specs and release date

Plug-in hybrid version of the Kia XCeed promises up to 201.8mpg and 32g/km of CO2 from its petrol-electric powertrain
News
6 Apr 2020
Kia XCeed vs Ford Focus Active
Kia XCeed vs Ford Focus Active

Kia XCeed vs Ford Focus Active

Can the new Kia XCeed encroach on the Ford Focus Active's hatch-based territory?
Car group tests
19 Oct 2019
New Kia XCeed 1.4 petrol 2019 review
Kia XCeed 1.4 petrol - front

New Kia XCeed 1.4 petrol 2019 review

We try out the new Kia XCeed pseudo-SUV with the brand's 1.4 T-GDi petrol engine to see if it's the pick of the range
Road tests
1 Oct 2019
New Kia XCeed 2019 review
Kia XCeed - front

New Kia XCeed 2019 review

The new jacked-up Kia XCeed hatchback fills a niche within a niche, but what's it like on UK roads?
Road tests
30 Sep 2019
Kia XCeed 2019 review
Kia XCeed - front tracking

Kia XCeed 2019 review

The new XCeed fills the small gap between the regular Ceed and Niro, but is this a niche too far for Kia?
Road tests
20 Sep 2019