Kia Ceed review

The Ceed comes in one size and all sorts of shapes. There's the Sportswagon estate version; the ProCeed, which is also an estate with a more swoopy rear; and even an XCeed - a slightly higher raised SUV version.  Here though, we’re going to take a close look at the five-door hatchback Ceed. 

In 2006, Kia paid the chap who designed the Audi TT, Peter Schreyer, a lot of money to come and work for them. And my goodness, it shows. Today, Kias are some of the most stylish cars you'll find on the road. With its dynamically styled face, contoured lines and sleek profile, the Ceed is a handsome car. And we suspect you'll be happy to spend time washing it and keeping it in good shape.

If you like the Ceed's looks, you won't be disappointed by the driving. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is a great all-rounder, although the 1.6-litre diesel gives better fuel economy. The steering and the handling are crisp, and the car turns keenly into corners. The car's agile poise makes it a doddle to drive around town, and it's enjoyable on country roads and relaxing on the motorways. 

Downsides? Well, the ride can be a little firm, especially on bumpy roads with versions with larger wheels. And while visibility is excellent up front thanks to the car’s slim pillars, it’s not so good at the back with that small window. Don’t worry too much, as all models from 2018 onwards feature a rear reversing camera. Some even have an optional self-parking system fitted.   

With every new generation, the South Korean Kia Ceed has been getting closer and closer to its European rivals inside. The latest third-generation model is very close indeed. The range of driving positions on offer is excellent, and the quality of the plastics and the way the cabin is put together has really improved.  

Every model comes with an infotainment screen as standard to connect your smartphone. If you still like to use conventional buttons, and don't like the thought of having to control everything via the screen, don’t worry. Kia gets the balance right and provides plenty of conventional buttons on the dashboard as well.  

The entry-level '2' provides air-con, a touchscreen and a reversing camera, while upgrading to the mid-spec ‘3’ provides a larger screen and sat-nav. All models have advanced safety features, such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, to help you prevent driving into the car in front, should it stop suddenly in town.  

If you like a place for everything, and everything in its place, then you'll love the Ceed's cabin. You can fit a large bottle of water into the door bins, and the glove box is a decent size, as is the cubby found underneath the front central armrest. There's enough space for a family of five, and teenagers and adults can fit comfortably into the rear seats. They will have more space if they are riding in the back of a Ford Focus or a Volkswagen Golf, though. 

When it comes to boot space, the Ceed turns the tables on its rivals by offering one of the best boots in the class. It’s equipped with a handy split-level floor which you can raise or lower - snazzy. In the lowest setting, the boot will easily accommodate two suitcases.   

This is where the Ceed plays its ace card. Every model comes with a 100,000-mile seven-year warranty. So even if you buy a Ceed that’s three years old – a point when most other car warranties expire – you can still enjoy four years of peace of mind motoring, with no worries over reliability issues during that period. 

The most fuel-efficient engine in the range is diesel, which has an official fuel figure of 62.8mpg - unlikely in the real world, but with careful driving, you should get mid-50s mpg.  The 1.4-litre petrol engine has an official 46.3mpg. You can expect more like 40mpg if you are gentle with the throttle. 

Like every Kia model sold in the UK, the Ceed comes with an industry-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. It’s brilliant to be able to buy a used car and enjoy that level of reassurance and peace of mind.