Over 10 years since its introduction and now into its third generation, the Kia Ceed, with a slight name change, is among Kia’s best sellers here in Ireland and across Europe. The updated Ceed has similar design lines to the past and the car retains its clear identity.
The first impression is that it is lower than in the past. Kia also claims that it is slightly wider to give more interior space. The overall shape remains largely unchanged, while it is more refined in styling terms.
The most noticeable driving feature for me was the smoothness of the experience. I should not have been surprised as Kia claims that refinement and the suppression of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was a principal focus during the Ceed’s development.
The new dash layout for the latest Kia Ceed includes a larger infotainment screen and higher grade materials including a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.
The new model claims to have thicker, more insulating dashboard padding than its predecessor, more sound-absorbent insulation around the rear wheel arches, and a new insulation layer beneath the cabin carpet, reducing engine and road noise. Kia claims the reshaped windscreen side mouldings and more comprehensive sealing around the doors have also helped to achieve a reduction in wind noise.
More options
This new Ceed comes with more engine options than before as Kia now offers two new petrol engines – an entry level 1.0 litre, three-cylinder turbo-charged unit and a larger 1.4 litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine. The range is completed with an upgraded 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine which I drove some weeks after driving the entry-level petrol model. I was very impressed by the driving experience in both cars.
The diesel K2 entry model Kia Ceed is powered by a very smooth 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 115bhp and 280Nm of torque to give smooth driving from the six speed gearbox.
The petrol-powered car was quieter and smoother to drive. It is more suitable for city driving, with an engine and six-speed gearbox combination that is easy to use.
Despite the motor industry move to ‘cleaner’ petrol engine cars, the car owner will suffer in terms of fuel economy if you make the change from diesel to petrol. And this is why higher-mileage Ceed owners will still sensibly opt for the 1.6 litre turbo-diesel versions.
I found that even with the rated fuel economy figure of 25km/litre (4.0l/100km or 70mpg), the Kia Ceed diesel is almost 40% more economical than the entry-level turbo-petrol version. That’s the significant running cost difference that you need to consider even with the additional €2,300 price cost when you go to buy the car.
The new Kia Ceed is slightly wider and lower than the outgoing model, with slightly larger boot space at 395 litres.
The diesel car’s range is also far better. Add to that the current 10c/litre price differential and diesel power still remains the top choice for the Kia Ceed.
If you’re already a diesel car owner, the temptation is to take the lower-priced petrol engine option with claims of better economy. And the sales message is further tempting car buyers in this direction, while diesel power still has so much more value to offer longer-distance drivers. So while this new smooth 1.0 litre Kia Ceed petrol car looks attractive, the economy figures will continue to push rural car buyers in the direction of diesel.
There is no denying that out on the road for longer runs the petrol version of the Ceed gives a very pleasant driving experience, while the diesel version is very comparable. The dash layout has been changed to give the driver a clear zone of visibility and ease of use from the large touchscreen infotainment unit. It’s easy to be comfortable in the new Ceed.
Entry price
Entry prices for the diesel version have increased significantly, starting at €24,995 or £19,545 in Northern Ireland for the K2 version with its turbo-diesel engine. There is a further €1,600 price jump from the entry level K2 diesel version to the higher specification K3, for which you get TomTom navigation, parking sensors and steering wheel controls.
The test car came on Michelin 205/55 R16 tyres, on new generation alloy wheels, but there is no spare wheel, just a pumping kit included.
This Ceed competes against the likes of its related Hyundai i30, plus popular models such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. This is a price and specification-sensitive market, where on paper the Kia Ceed, with the important benefit of its seven-year warranty, is now pitched at the higher price end. The diesel version has to be considered more seriously in terms of ownership cost, based solely on fuel economy and lower road tax.
Over 10 years since its introduction and now into its third generation, the Kia Ceed, with a slight name change, is among Kia’s best sellers here in Ireland and across Europe. The updated Ceed has similar design lines to the past and the car retains its clear identity.
The first impression is that it is lower than in the past. Kia also claims that it is slightly wider to give more interior space. The overall shape remains largely unchanged, while it is more refined in styling terms.
The most noticeable driving feature for me was the smoothness of the experience. I should not have been surprised as Kia claims that refinement and the suppression of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was a principal focus during the Ceed’s development.
The new dash layout for the latest Kia Ceed includes a larger infotainment screen and higher grade materials including a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.
The new model claims to have thicker, more insulating dashboard padding than its predecessor, more sound-absorbent insulation around the rear wheel arches, and a new insulation layer beneath the cabin carpet, reducing engine and road noise. Kia claims the reshaped windscreen side mouldings and more comprehensive sealing around the doors have also helped to achieve a reduction in wind noise.
More options
This new Ceed comes with more engine options than before as Kia now offers two new petrol engines – an entry level 1.0 litre, three-cylinder turbo-charged unit and a larger 1.4 litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine. The range is completed with an upgraded 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine which I drove some weeks after driving the entry-level petrol model. I was very impressed by the driving experience in both cars.
The diesel K2 entry model Kia Ceed is powered by a very smooth 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 115bhp and 280Nm of torque to give smooth driving from the six speed gearbox.
The petrol-powered car was quieter and smoother to drive. It is more suitable for city driving, with an engine and six-speed gearbox combination that is easy to use.
Despite the motor industry move to ‘cleaner’ petrol engine cars, the car owner will suffer in terms of fuel economy if you make the change from diesel to petrol. And this is why higher-mileage Ceed owners will still sensibly opt for the 1.6 litre turbo-diesel versions.
I found that even with the rated fuel economy figure of 25km/litre (4.0l/100km or 70mpg), the Kia Ceed diesel is almost 40% more economical than the entry-level turbo-petrol version. That’s the significant running cost difference that you need to consider even with the additional €2,300 price cost when you go to buy the car.
The new Kia Ceed is slightly wider and lower than the outgoing model, with slightly larger boot space at 395 litres.
The diesel car’s range is also far better. Add to that the current 10c/litre price differential and diesel power still remains the top choice for the Kia Ceed.
If you’re already a diesel car owner, the temptation is to take the lower-priced petrol engine option with claims of better economy. And the sales message is further tempting car buyers in this direction, while diesel power still has so much more value to offer longer-distance drivers. So while this new smooth 1.0 litre Kia Ceed petrol car looks attractive, the economy figures will continue to push rural car buyers in the direction of diesel.
There is no denying that out on the road for longer runs the petrol version of the Ceed gives a very pleasant driving experience, while the diesel version is very comparable. The dash layout has been changed to give the driver a clear zone of visibility and ease of use from the large touchscreen infotainment unit. It’s easy to be comfortable in the new Ceed.
Entry price
Entry prices for the diesel version have increased significantly, starting at €24,995 or £19,545 in Northern Ireland for the K2 version with its turbo-diesel engine. There is a further €1,600 price jump from the entry level K2 diesel version to the higher specification K3, for which you get TomTom navigation, parking sensors and steering wheel controls.
The test car came on Michelin 205/55 R16 tyres, on new generation alloy wheels, but there is no spare wheel, just a pumping kit included.
This Ceed competes against the likes of its related Hyundai i30, plus popular models such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. This is a price and specification-sensitive market, where on paper the Kia Ceed, with the important benefit of its seven-year warranty, is now pitched at the higher price end. The diesel version has to be considered more seriously in terms of ownership cost, based solely on fuel economy and lower road tax.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: