Kia Ceed Sportswagon Review 2026

Save 10% on GAP Insurance

ALA Insurance logo

Use HJ10 to save on an ALA policy

Get a quote

Kia Ceed Sportswagon Verdict

4/5

+Very comfortable and easy to drive. Feels well built and long lasting. Impressive bootspace of 625 litres. Available with excellent 1.4 T-GDi engine. Handles tidily.

-Ride can be firm on larger wheels.

Find out more about the Kia Ceed Sportswagon

New prices start from £27,500
Insurance Groups are between 8–20

Kia may have dropped the apostrophe for the 2018 Ceed but this model continues many of the strengths that have made the previous generations so popular. It's well built, good value and has affordable running costs.

But Kia is not a company to rest on its laurels - it continues to improve its cars with every new model. Compare this car to the first generation Cee'd and the improvements in quality, style and finish are huge. The Ceed Sportswagon shows just how far the brand has come in a relatively short time.

The interior quality is really good with lots of soft touch materials and precise controls giving it an upmarket feel, yet there's still that underlying sense of robustness about it. It feels like a car that's built to last. This is not a case of all fur coat and no knickers.

Being a small(ish) estate, the boot is all important here and the Ceed has a wide and easy to load cargo area that's low to the ground. With 625 litres of carrying space it can swallow more than a Volkswagen Golf Estate.

There's plenty of room in the rest of the car too with decent legroom in the back, thanks to lower seats, and a generally spacious and comfortable feeling throughout, helped by a wider body than the old model.

As you'd expect from a Kia, there's plenty of standard kit and with no entry-level 1 model, the range starts with the 2 which has air con, 16-inch alloys, a seven-inch touchscreen with DAB plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a reversing camera. 

What you may not expect is how good the Ceed Sportswagon is to drive. Okay, so it's not going to set the world alight, but thanks to precise steering and little body roll, it feels very stable and accomplished in corners. 

There is a downside - and that's a slightly firm ride. It's generally more than acceptable but something like a Ford Focus feels more compliant and settled at higher speeds. Road noise is noticeable to, especially from the back of the car.

However, the Ceed Sportswagon still has plenty to recommend it, not least Kia's seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability and good customer service. Compared to the competition, it's not as cheap as you may expect, but Kia often has very good finance deals available if you're looking at leasing or a PCP.

Kia Ceed Sportswagon handling and engines

On the surface you'd expect the Ceed Sportswagon to be comfortable at the expense of handling prowess, but strangely, the opposite is true.

It deals with corners better than you'd expect of an estate of this ilk and while it may not have the outright grip of something like a Ford Focus, for the vast majority of drivers, the Ceed will be more than capable in everyday driving.

The steering is quick and responsive too, although perhaps lacks some of the weight of competitors. But perhaps what's most surprising is the ride. It's not overly firm but it does tend to feel a little busy at times. Go for a model on 16-inch alloys and you'll get the most comfort. There's also a fair bit of road noise from the rear, especially on rough motorways, but wind noise is minimal.

If you're not covering huge mileages, then the petrol engines in the Ceed Sportswagon are ideal. There's a 1.4 T-GDi (yes it's a petrol even though there's confusingly a D in the name) which is new to the Ceed. With 140PS it's the quickest engine in the range and the only option on the high spec trims such as the First Edition. You should see around 40mpg in real world driving.

The smaller petrol is a 1.0 T-GDi with 120PS - and engine carried over from the previous model. With 172Nm of torque it's not the last words in low down pulling power, but for around town use it's more than adequate and will happily keep up with fast flowing traffic if required, it just requires working a little harder.

The sole diesel is a 1.6 CRDi - again from the previous generation Cee'd (when it had an apostrophe...) - which promises to be the most economical version with claimed economy of more than 70mpg. It's not the quietest diesel around but is smooth enough and there's little vibration through the pedals or steering wheel.

While the standard six-speed manual has a positive shift, there's also a seven-speed dual clutch DCT automatic that's available on the CRDi and the 1.4 T-GDi.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
1.0 T-GDI 50–55 mpg - 115–122 g/km
1.4 T-GDI 49 mpg - 132 g/km
1.4 T-GDI DCT 50 mpg - 127 g/km
1.6 CRDi 67–71 mpg - 99–104 g/km
1.6 CRDi DCT 69 mpg - 99 g/km

Kia Ceed Sportswagon interior

Dimensions
Length 4600 mm
Width -
Height 1465 mm
Wheelbase 2650 mm

Full specifications

As small estates go, the Ceed Sportswagon is one of the bigger ones with 625 litres of space. As a comparison, the Golf Estate has 605 litres while a Ford Focus Estate is considerably smaller with 575 litres.

It's not just the size that's useful either. The opening is usefully wide and the low load lip means lugging heavy things in isn't too backbreaking.

All models get an underfloor box to secure or hide smaller items, as well as a tonneau cover and a bag hook so your balsamic vinegar won't roll around the boot floor. The rear seats fold down (almost flat) to create a usefully big load area too while 3 models get handles in the boot that let you fold down the seats instead of having to lean in from the doors. 

It's the quality of the Ceed Sportswagon that impresses. There's lots of soft touch materials and it's all well finished with a feeling that it's a car designed to last. Standard 2 models are a little drab to look at but go up the range and you get more visually appealing piano black trim as shown in our pictures here. All models get a leather steering wheel and gear lever too.

There's decent space in the back with better headroom and legroom than the previous model, helped by the lower positioned rear seats, although there's not as much space here as in a Skoda Octavia Estate.

The front seats are comfortable and reasonably supportive with 3 trim models getting electrically adjustable lumbar support. The driving position is good too with lots of adjustment in the seat and steering column.

The Ceed Sportswagon gets a clear 7-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash as standard which comes with a reversing camera along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It's a very easy to use system and one of the best we've come across in terms of clarity. If you go for a 3 model or above you get a larger 8-inch screen that includes TomTom navigation.

A wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats and keyless entry all come on First Edition models.

Standard equipment from launch:

Grade 2 models are fitted with cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, an alarm system, front wiper de-icer, electric windows all-round and automatic headlight control. Other features include 16-inch alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts, front fog lights, projection headlights and cornering lights, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors in body colour, a high gloss black front grille, chrome window surrounds and LED rear lights. Inside, there’s black premium cloth seat trim, a leather trimmed steering wheel, gearshift and hand brake and a rear centre armrest. A seven-inch touchscreen audio display is provided, along with a reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines, DAB radio, Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility with voice control. Safety includes Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA).

Grade 3 adds 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and rain sensing front wipers, in addition to black cloth seat trim with black faux leather bolsters and power lumbar support for the front seats. An eight-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system with European mapping and traffic messaging channel is provided alongside Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom Live. Other equipment includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators and kerbside lights, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear parking sensors, in addition to a 4.2-inch supervision colour cluster display, a USB fast charger in the front centre console and a dual-tone horn. The central fascia is in high gloss black, while the interior door handles have a satin chrome finish. Manual gearbox variants have the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system (FCA) upgraded to include pedestrian detection.

First Edition gets the Smart Park Assist System (SPAS) which integrates front and rear parking sensors with the ability to automatically park in parallel or perpendicular spaces, while smart cruise control with stop and go functionality and a Drive Mode Selector are featured when the seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is chosen. There’s black leather seats with contrast grey stitching, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory. A wide electric tilt and slide sunroof with automatic roll blind also comes fitted along with LED bi-function headlights and cornering lights, an electronic parking brake, heated steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, smart entry system with engine start/stop button and an eight-speaker JBL premium sound system with wireless mobile phone charger. Extra safety systems include Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection.

Kia Ceed Sportswagon models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4600 mm
Width -
Height 1465 mm
Wheelbase 2650 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1790–1940 kg
Boot Space 625–1694 L
Warranty 7 years / 100000 miles
Servicing 10000–20000 miles
Costs
List Price £27,500–£28,600
Insurance Groups 8–20
Road Tax Bands A–E
Official MPG 48.7–70.6 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult -
Child -
Pedestrian -
Overall 4

Currently on sale

Estate
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Sportwagon 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 2 ISG 5dr - 54.3 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 2 Nav ISG 5dr - 55.4 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 3 ISG 5dr - 50.4 mpg -

On sale until April 2021

Estate
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Sportwagon 1.4 T-Gdi 138 First Edition ISG 5dr £27,500 48.7 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 3 DCT ISG 5dr Auto - 50.4 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.4 T-GDi 138bhp 3 ISG 5dr - 48.7 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.4 T-Gdi First Edition DCT ISG 5dr Auto £28,600 50.4 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.6 CRDi 114bhp 2 ISG 5dr - 67.3 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.6 CRDi 114bhp 2 Nav ISG 5dr - 70.6 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.6 CRDi 114bhp 3 DCT ISG 5dr Auto - 68.9 mpg -
Sportwagon 1.6 CRDi 114bhp 3 ISG 5dr - 67.3 mpg -

Model History

March 2018

Kia Ceed Sportswagon makes debut

Like its predecessors, the new model has been designed, developed and engineered in Frankfurt by Kia’s European design, product development and R&D teams. It will continue to be manufactured in Žilina, Slovakia, on the same production line as the new Ceed five-door hatchback, and the Kia Sportage and Kia Venga.

From launch, the Ceed Sportswagon will be available in a choice of 11 paint finishes. A selection of wheels and designs are available, with buyers able to choose from 15-inch steel wheels, 16-inch steel or aluminium alloy wheels, and 17-inch two-tone diamond cut aluminium alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, the Ceed Sportswagon is more ergonomic than ever, and with higher-quality materials used throughout. The cabin architecture from the most recent Kia vehicles has been adapted for the new Ceed family, with the dashboard laid out horizontally for a more sculptural, seamless and slimline appearance. This design also creates greater space and a sense of openness for the front passenger, allowing more space in the footwell and a clearer view ahead.

The Ceed Sportswagon is also available with a panoramic sunroof, flooding the cabin in light during the day and giving passengers a clear view of the night sky after sundown.

Its wheelbase remains the same at 2650mm, with the front overhang shortened by 20mm (to 880mm). However, the rear overhang is extended by 115mm (now 1070mm) – making the new Sportswagon 95mm longer (now 4600mm) than its predecessor to create significantly more cargo space. Its wider dimensions and cab-rearward silhouette create a more assertive and sporty stance, for a more confident presence on the road.

The wider body creates greater shoulder room for rear passengers while a 15mm-lower seating position in the rear creates more knee and leg room for passengers in the second row. Despite the lower roofline, the platform and lowered front seating position ensure 987mm of front-row headroom, similar to its predecessor. The lower rear bench also ensures similar levels of headroom for rear passengers.

The Ceed Sportswagon also boasts significantly higher cargo capacity than ever before. The boot is 72 litres (14%) larger than the outgoing model, expanding to 600 litres in capacity – larger than most D-segment tourers. The boot lip is also substantially lower – the lower lift-over height compared to the outgoing Ceed makes it easier to load heavier items into the boot.

The split-fold rear seats are fitted in a 40:20:40 configuration and can be folded remotely with a single touch from a lever just inside the tailgate. With the seats folded, the boot floor is completely flat. Every Ceed Sportswagon features an underfloor box to secure or hide smaller items, as well as a tonneau cover and a bag hook to prevent groceries and other items rolling around the load bay. Outside the car, integrated roof rails are also fitted as standard.

Customers can also specify a Smart Power Tailgate, which opens automatically when it detects the Ceed’s smart key in close proximity to the tailgate, for occasions when users’ hands are full with heavy cargo. A safety barrier net – between the cabin and the boot – is also available, as well as a net to secure small items, and a luggage floor rail system.

The Sportswagon’s rear suspension has been subtly tuned to accommodate the longer rear overhang of the boot, and the potential for larger, heavier luggage loads than the five-door hatchback.

Petrol options include Kia’s popular 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine, producing 120ps, as well as a new 1.4-litre T-GDi power unit. Replacing the earlier 1.6-litre GDI engine, the new ‘Kappa’ 1.4-litre T-GDi engine produces 140ps, 4% more than its predecessor despite its lower displacement.

The engine’s turbocharger ensures a wider torque band than the earlier 1.6-litre engine, making it more responsive in a wider range of driving conditions – while also reducing emissions. Both T-GDi engines are fitted with a gasoline particulate filter to further reduce tailpipe emissions, ensuring the Ceed Sportswagon goes beyond the requirements of the Euro 6d TEMP standard. A 100PS 1.4-litre MPi (multi-point injection) engine will also be available.

Every engine will be paired with a six-speed manual transmission, while the new 1.4-litre T-GDi and 1.6-litre CRDi engines will also be available with Kia’s seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

A heated windshield will be available on some models – with nearly-imperceptible wires to gently heat the glass to make the new Ceed Sportswagon easier to live. The first time this technology has featured in a Kia, it melts away frost, ice and windscreen mist at the push of a button. A wireless smartphone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats are also available.

January 2019

Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV now on sale

The Plug-in Hybrid edition of the Ceed Sportswagon is designed to sit at the top of the estate car range, with a generous specification and long list of standard equipment. Equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and combined with a closed ‘tiger-nose’ grille, which aid air flow and deliver a sportier overall appearance.

All of the exterior lights feature LED technology, including bi-function LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LEDs for the taillight clusters and high-mounted brake lights. Automatic headlight control, rain sensing front wipers and a front wiper de-icer all combine to assist the driver during inclement weather conditions. Roof rails provide a practical touch, while the stylish design is reinforced by fitment of privacy glass to the rear windows and tailgate.

Inside, the level ‘3’ model features black cloth seat trim and faux leather bolsters, in addition to a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, while a satin chrome finish is applied to the fascia trim and interior door handles, delivering an upmarket ambience. Dual automatic air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, drive mode select and an engine start/stop button with Smart Entry system completes the car’s interior attributes.

Ceed Sportswagon PHEV owners have access to a new 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation system, European mapping and a Traffic Messaging Channel. These are linked to a reversing camera integrated with the navigation screen. It also features Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom® Live. The infotainment system includes DAB radio with MP3 compatability and Kia’s new UVO CONNECT telematics system. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. The infotainment system allows smartphone users access to both Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM, and it is Bluetooth® multi connection-enabled, allowing occupants to connect two mobile devices at once for hands-free phone calls and music streaming.

Safety equipment includes six airbags (front, side and curtain with front passenger cut-off switch), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with city and pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), High-Beam Assist (HBA) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC).

In EV mode, the Ceed Sporstwagon Plug-in Hybrid has the ability to travel up to 37 miles using a 3.3kW AC charger, the battery pack can be replenished to 100 per cent in just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The new Ceed Sportswagon ‘3’ Plug-in Hybrid is available to order now from Kia showrooms, with the first vehicles arriving in the UK in April 2020.

September 2019

Kia Ceed Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid announced

Combines an 8.9kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, a 44.5kW electric motor, and an efficient 1.6-litre ‘Kappa’ four-cylinder petrol engine. The powertrain’s total power and torque output is 141PS and 265Nm, enabling the Ceed Sportswagon to accelerate to 62mph in 10.8 seconds.

The powertrain is paired with a six-speed double-clutch transmission (6DCT), allowing drivers to shift gear for themselves, ensuring a more enjoyable drive than other hybrid vehicles equipped with electronic continuously-variable transmissions (e-CVT), says Kia.

Standard regenerative braking technology allows the new Plug-in Hybrid models to harvest kinetic energy and recharge their battery packs while coasting or braking, further enhanging the overall efficiency of the powertrain.

Kia is targeting an all-electric range of around 37 miles, enabling drivers to complete the majority of daily drives and short commutes on electric power alone. CO 2 emissions for the new Plug-in Hybrid variant are pending homologation and will be revealed prior to start-of-sales.

The Ceed Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid is equipped with Kia’s new Virtual Engine Sound System, an audible warning system which activates in electric-only mode at low speeds or when reversing. The system generates virtual sound levels of up to 59 dBA to safely notify pedestrians of the car’s presence.

It has a new closed ‘tiger-nose’ grille at the front of the car to aid aerodynamic efficiency, along with distinct ‘eco plug-in’ exterior badges. The charging port is integrated into the left front wing. Equipped as standard with 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, the Plug-in Hybrid gets its own unique wheel design, and optional 17-inch wheels are available. The Ceed Sportswagon is specially fitted with bumpers from the Ceed Sportswagon GT-Line models, aiding air flow and providing a sportier overall appearance.

The Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid is equipped with a charging indicator, a visual aid to tell owners that their car is charging or when the battery is fully-charged. Its location on top of the dashboard means drivers can instantly ascertain the car’s state of charge at a glance from outside the car (for instance, when it is parked on their driveway at home and the owner hasn’t left the house yet).

Kia’s 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment is fitted as standard, or an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system with Kia’s UVO Connect telematics. Unique to the new Plug-in Hybrid variants, the systems incorporate new functionality to help owners locate available charging points in their vicinity, or en route to their navigation destination. The screens can also show relevant information relating to the powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels in the battery and energy usage graphics. Furthermore, owners can use the touchscreen system to schedule when their vehicle should charge when plugged in at home, enabling owners to take advantage of cheaper off-peak energy tariffs. Both infotainment systems offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, while the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system features Bluetooth multi-connection, enabling occupants to connect two mobile devices at once.

The instrument cluster also features unique visuals for the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels, anticipated electric-only range and the flow of energy between the battery pack, engine and electric motor. Available as an option, Kia’s new fully-digital 12.3-inch ‘Supervision’ instrument cluster is designed to deliver information as clearly as possible with a range of unique graphics displays. The high-resolution 1920x720-pixel Supervision display replaces conventional speedometer and tachometer dials currently found in the brand’s passenger cars with a single, seamless display.

The ‘Driver Only’ heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system – activated with a new button on the dashboard – instantly deactivates airflow to all cabin vents except those nearest the driver. This is designed to reduce the draw on battery energy from the ventilation system, while still keeping the driver at their preferred temperature. Unlike conventional ventilation systems, Kia’s ‘Driver Only’ system doesn’t simply restrict airflow to certain vents, rerouting it elsewhere; instead, it switches off the fans themselves, reducing energy use at source.

The Ceed model line-up was engineered from the start to accommodate new hybrid powertrains. This means that the adoption of a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain in the Ceed Sportswagon has had a minimal impact on packaging, with the structure adapted from the start to contain the powertrain’s battery pack.

The 8.9 kWh battery pack is located alongside the 37-litre fuel tank beneath the rear bench, unlike many other plug-in hybrid vehicles, in which the battery pack takes up valuable cargo space. As a Plug-in Hybrid, the Ceed Sportswagon – the most practical iteration of the Ceed range – provides 437 litres of luggage space, and up to 1,506 litres with the 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats folded down.

The Ceed Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid will be available with an optional Towing Pack for towing braked loads – a rarity among cars in the hybrid class.

October 2021

Kia Ceed Sportswagon updated for 2022

The revised line-up kicks off with the ‘2’ model, offered in estate form with the 120PS 1.0 T-GDi petrol engine with prices starting from £20,805 for Ceed Sportswagon models.

Equipment highlights include:

  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
  • Leather trimmed steering wheel
  • Cruise control with speed limiter
  • Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®
  • 8.0-inch touchscreen, with DAB radio and MP3 compatibility
  • Reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines
  • Lane Keep Assist System and Lane Follow Assist
  • Driver Attention Warning with leading vehicle departure warning

The Ceed Sportwagon is additionally offered in ‘2 Nav’ guise, with a 136PS 1.6-litre CRDi engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Priced at £24,045 it additionally features a USB fast charger in the front centre console, as well as a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system with Kia’s ‘connected car’ service, Kia Connect (UVO).

Ceed ‘3’ specification signals the introduction of a more powerful 160PS 1.5 T-GDi petrol engine with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT). Additionally, the mild-hybrid 134bhp 1.6-litre CRDi engine is offered with a seven-speed DCT in the Sportswagon bodystyle.

Additional equipment includes:

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Rain sensing front wipers
  • Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with LED indicators
  • Dual automatic air conditioning
  • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Drive Mode Select (DCT versions)

Ceed Sportswagon

‘2’ 1.0 T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG

£20,805

118

172/1,500~4,000

11.4

118

53.3 (5.3)

121

‘2’ 1.0 T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG ADAP

£21,055

118

172/1,500~4,000

11.4

118

53.3 (5.3)

121

‘2 Nav’ 1.6 CRDi MHEV 6-speed manual iMT ISG

£24,045

134

280/1,500~3,000

10.4

124

TBC

TBC

‘3’ 1.5 T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG

£24,495

158

253/1,500~3,500

8.6

130

48.7 (5.8)

131

‘3’ 1.5 T-GDi 7-speed auto DCT ISG

£26,345

158

253/1,500~3,500

8.8

130

47.9 (5.9)

134

‘3’ 1.6 CRDi MHEV 7-speed auto DCT ISG

£27,410

134

320/1,500~3,000

10.1

124

TBC

TBC