Kia Ceed Review 2026

February 2018

Kia unveils third generation Ceed

The 2018 Kia Ceed is lower, wider, and has a longer rear overhang than the car it replaces. Straight lines replace the rounded-off edges of its predecessor, evolving the front of the car with a wider ‘tiger-nose’ grille and lower air intake, and precise, linear shapes framing its ‘face’.

4,310mm long x 1,800mm wide x 1,447mm high on 2,650mm wheelbase. Load capacity 395 litres behing rear seats.

The new model features ‘ice cube’ LED daytime running lights as standard, echoing the appearance of earlier GT and GT-Line models. At the rear, new LED daytime running lights give the Ceed greater visibility on the road.

Available with Kia's latest 7-inch and 8-inch touchcreeen infotanimant systems and 'level 2 autonomy' driver assist systems such as Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist and full LED headlights with Dynamic Bending Light.

From launch, the Ceed five-door hatchback will be available in a choice of 12 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.

Tyre sizes are 195/65 R15; 205/55 R16; 225/45 R17. Standard 'tyre mobility kit' or optional space saver spare.

Front suspension is fully independent by subframe muntes MacPherson struts, coil springs and gas filled dampers with anti-roll stabiliser bar. Rears suspension is also fully indemendent by subframe mounted double wishbones, coil springs and gas filled dampers with anti-roll stabiliser bar.

Inside the cabin, the Ceed features a more ergonomic dash with a large, high-set touch screen and higher-quality materials used throughout. The cabin architecture from the most recent Kia vehicles has been adapted for the Ceed, with the dashboard laid out horizontally for a more sculptural, seamless and slimline appearance.

Surfaces are finished with metallic or satin chrome trim, with buyers able to choose from a range of cloth, synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear stick are also available as an option.

It gets new fully-independent suspension system complemented by revised spring and damper rates and a faster steering rack. The ride has been developed on Europe’s wide variety of road surfaces.

Petrol options include an updated version of Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDi 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, four per cent more than its predecessor despite its lower displacement. A 100PS 1.4-litre MPi (Multi-Point injection) engine will also be available.

The Ceed is also available with Kia’s all-new 1.6 CRDi diesel engine. Available with a choice of power outputs (115PS and 136PS), the new 1.6-litre diesel produces 280 Nm of torque. Fitted with the new engine, the Ceed’s carbon dioxide emissions are expected to fall below 110g/km on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), when converted to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

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.

July 2018

2018 Kia Ceed priced from £18,295

Kia announced UK prices and specifications for its new Ceed ahead of sales starting on 1 August.

The new Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus rival (which we say feels every bit on par with the Golf) will start at £18,295 - making it marginally more expensive than the latest Focus.

That price is for the 1.0-litre petrol T-GDi engine paired with the six-speed manual gearbox in entry-level 2 trim. Highlights include cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning and automatic headlights. Other features include 16-inch alloys, chrome window surrounds and LED rear lights, while the interior gets cloth seats and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

A reversing camera is also standard on the base model, as is a host of safety features include lane assist and driver attention warning.

A special Blue Edition model is available from launch, starting at £21,095 and paired with the new 1.4-litre T-GDi petrol engine. Finished in Blue Flame paint, the special edition adds 17-inch alloys, privacy glass, electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators, rear parking sensors and LED headlights with cornering lights.

Inside the Blue Edition, black faux leather seat bolsters are standard, as are sporty stainless steel pedals and a USB fast charger in the centre console. There's an eight-inch touchscreen navigation system, while opting for the seven-speed DCT automatic transmission (£22,195) will also add selectable drive modes.

Prices for the 3 grade are yet to be confirmed. Based on the 2, the 3 adds 17-inch alloys, privacy glass and rain sensing front wipers, as well as black cloth seat trim with faux leather bolsters and power lumbar support for the front seats.

An eight-inch navigation system with European mapping is standard, as is dual-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors with LED indications and kerbside lights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and rear parking sensors. Even the horn gets an upgrade.

Sitting at the top of the new Ceed range, the First Edition model starts at £25,750 and is packed with tech. A smart parking system uses front and rear parking sensors to automatically park in parallel or perpendicular spaces, while adaptive cruise and selectable drive modes are standard with the £26,850 dual-clutch auto.

Inside gets black leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats and a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with memory. An electric sunroof is also standard, along with LED bi-function headlights, an electronic power brake, heated steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and a premium sound system with wireless mobile phone charger.

September 2018

Kia Ceed GT revealed

For the first time in a performance hatchback from Kia, the Ceed GT will be available with an optional seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission, in addition to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

Unique GT bumpers at the rear complement those found at the front, housing a subtle gloss black rear diffuser, as well as ‘GT’ badging. A small roof spoiler helps channel air cleanly off the top of the car.

The Ceed GT will be available across Europe in a choice of eight paint finishes, with its own unique 18-inch alloy wheel design.

The GT model is fitted with the same fully-independent suspension hardware as the Ceed. However, the half-year of additional fine-tuning to the suspension geometry has rendered it more agile and more engaging to drive.

The performance hatchback sits 5mm lower than the standard Ceed and Ceed Sportswagon, reducing the centre of gravity. Stiffer front and rear springs reduce body roll, improve responses to steering inputs, and give the car a firmer, more assured ride in all conditions – crucially, without rendering the car uncomfortable on longer drives or over broken surfaces.

Consistent stopping power is provided by larger brakes, with the standard Ceed’s 288 mm ventilated front disc brakes replaced with 320 mm discs. The GT’s brakes are also 3 mm thicker, at 28 mm, aiding kinetic heat absorption and braking performance with repeated use.

It's powered by a 1.6-litre T-GDi engine that has been updated for the new model. Producing 204PS at a 6000 rpm peak, the 1.6-litre T-GDi engine continues to provide effortless acceleration and easily-accessible torque. The engine’s maximum torque of 265Nm is available across a wide 1500-to-4500 rpm rev range.

October 2020

Updates for 2020 Kia Ceed

The Ceed has come in for a technology boost for the 2020 model year, with upgrades to the satellite navigation system displays on all versions. A new 8.0-inch touchscreen display replaces the outgoing 7.0-inch unit, while a widescreen 10.25-inch unit takes the place of the 8.0-inch navigation display. The new UVO CONNECT telematics system is available with the 10.25-inch touchscreen and puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability.

At the same time, ‘GT-Line S’ models gain a brand new 12.3-inch Full Digital Cluster. Ceed ‘3’ Sportwagon models now feature the Advanced Driving Assistance Pack (ADAP) as standard, which comprises of Forward Collision Alert with pedestrian detection, and on DCT versions the addition of Smart Cruise Control, Electronic Parking Brake, centre console with storage box and sliding armrest, as well as rear air ventilation.

October 2021

Kia Ceed updated for 2022 model year

The updated Ceed model family is now available to order from Kia’s UK dealer network, with first customer deliveries now taking place. Prices for the new model start from £20,105.

The Ceed range kicks off with the ‘2’ model. A choice of two engines are offered: a 120PS 1.0 T-GDi petrol or 136PS 1.6 CRDi diesel with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology

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

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). Prices begin at £23,795.

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)

The Ceed ‘GT-Line’ is the pinnacle of the hatchback range, with sportier overtones and a choice of powertrains: the 160PS 1.5-litre T-GDi petrol engine with manual gearbox, and a 136PS 1.6-litre CRDi 48-volt mild-hybrid system with seven-speed DCT. Prices kick off at £24,625.

‘GT-Line’ versions feature:

• 17-inch gloss black alloy wheels
• High gloss black door mirrors
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• D-cut steering wheel with leather trim and grey stitching
• Aluminium pedals
• Smart entry system with engine start/stop button
• Paddle shifter (DCT model)