2018 Kia Ceed priced from £18,295

Kia has 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.

Kia has also announced that its revised Sportage will start at £20,305, with a mild-hybrid version being added to the range.