Overview

The Kia XCeed is a car that takes niches to a new level. It’s based on the conventional Ceed family hatchback, but with its raised ride height, black plastic body cladding and the ‘X’ in its name considers itself a small SUV rather than a conventional hatch.

Yet the car’s swooping coupe roofline and stylish frame is clearly intended to evoke the slinky Proceed in Kia’s range, as is the presence of a new GT-Line trim level. So the XCeed is the SUV version, of the sporty version, of the hatchback?

Size-wise, it sits between Kia’s other offerings, being smaller than the Sportage but larger than the Stonic. It’s similar in dimensions to the Niro, but while that car’s square silhouette and exclusively hybrid or electric drivetrains mark it out as the sensible and efficient member of the family the XCeed is clearly trying to offer a bit more kerb appeal, especially with a wide array of bright colours.

Style-led crossovers are certainly nothing new, and the XCeed has plenty of other jacked-up family cars with which to compete. The Toyota C-HR, Volkswagen T-Roc and Renault Arkana all aim for a similar area of the market. If that wasn’t complicated enough, there are two more Ceed-based wagons from within Kia’s stable called the Sportswagon estate and Proceed Shooting Brake.

Like most manufacturers, Kia is currently struggling with parts shortages. That means the XCeed will only be available with two engines when it goes on sale later this year. The cheapest option will be a 160hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit. Above that, there’ll be a 141hp plug-in hybrid powertrain, capable of covering up to 30 miles on electric power alone.

Eventually, Kia will reintroduce its 120hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a 136hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel. The former unit promises CO2 emissions as low as 134g/km, while the latter should return upwards of 55mpg. The diesel also features Kia’s innovative fly-by-wire manual gearbox that promises to slash CO2 emissions by up to 10 percent.

Over the next few pages, we’ll review every aspect of the Kia XCeed, considering its practicality, interior layout, technology, running costs and driving experience before offering our final verdict on the car. Click through the following pages to find out whether the car will suit your lifestyle.