The world’s infatuation with the SUV has brought us a lot of crossover-ish cars to the market. Kia’s new XCeed which is based on the third-gen Ceed that has dropped the apostrophe from its name, is one of the newcomers in the business.
Even though it’s built around the compact hatchback, only the front door panels are identical, as everything else is new. It comes with your typical SUV-inspired styling cues, including an increased ground clearance, plastic cladding on the lower parts of the body, front and rear skid plates and roof rails, which result in a pleasing cosmetic outcome.
Also Watch: 2019 Kia Ceed GT Review: Sports Hatch Doesn’t Bristle With Power, But Is Enjoyable To Drive
The well-built interior boasts high quality materials. Get the high spec model and you will also enjoy contrast stitching and colorful trim, as well as a large 10.25-inch infotainment system that offers plenty of functionality and comes with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Knee room is sufficient at the back, although headroom is somewhat tight, even without the optional panoramic roof. At 426 liters (15 cu-ft), the boot is bigger than the Ford Focus Active’s, and by folding down the rear seats, it can be expanded to 1,378 liters (48.7 cu-ft).
The engine offerings currently include two gasoline and two diesel units. The XCeed First Edition driven by AutoTrader in Marseille, France, came with the 1.4-liter petrol, rated at 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) that contributes to a smooth and relatively agile ride at higher revs. Despite its comfortable nature, the XCeed is said to be quite responsive, with little body roll through corners and satisfying steering.
At a first glance, you cannot go wrong with the new (and first) XCeed, which costs between £20,795 ($25,802/€23,503) and £28,095 ($34,859/€31,754) in the UK.