2022 Kia XCeed Facelift Teased, Will Debut On July 18 With Electrified Powertrains

Kia published a set of sketches for the facelifted XCeed compact crossover, which will debut on July 18, exclusively available in mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms.

The mid-lifecycle refresh comes exactly one year after Kia facelifted the Ceed, Proceed, and Ceed SW siblings, and three years after the debut of the XCeed. The facelift will include mild visual changes to the exterior, and updates to the interior.

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This is the first time Kia will offer a GT-Line variant of the XCeed, coming with sportier styling and plenty of equipment. This one is depicted in the official sketches, featuring a new front bumper with a cleaner design for the intakes, a tweaked grille, the new Kia emblem, and new LED graphics for the headlights.

The profile is enhanced by large diameter alloy wheels similar to other GT-Line models. Of course, those are overly exaggerated in the sketches, with designers doing their best to enhance the proportions of the vehicle.

At the back, changes are limited to the new LED graphics on the taillights, the fresh badge, the new chrome trim on the faux tailpipes, and a body-coloured skidplate that looks like a diffuser. Judging from Kia’s strategy with facelifts, visual changes in the entry-level trims could be more limited than in the high-spec GT-Line.

Kia didn’t show us the interior but we expect the XCeed to share the updates with the rest of the Ceed family. This likely means it will gain the updated 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, get the latest software update in the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen alongside upgraded ADAS equipment, plus new materials for the upholstery to freshen up the look.

The facelifted Kia XCeed will be available with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, dropping the ICE-only options from the range. The mild-hybrid will likely be the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with a 48V system from the regular Ceed that is producing 118 hp (88 kW / 120 hp) and sends the power to the front axle through a dual-clutch gearbox. The PHEV was already a member of the range, combining a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for a total output of 139 hp (104 kW / 141 PS), plus an 8.9 kWh battery allowing a range of 58 km (36 miles).

We will learn more about the changes in the XCeed in a few days. Interestingly, the crossover is the best-selling variant of the Ceed family in the UK, accounting 51 percent of Ceed sales and 10 percent of all Kia sales.