► Price revealed after Geneva debut
► Features Stinger-inspired design
► New engines and tech onboard
We first saw the new Kia Ceed at Geneva – that’s ‘Community of Europe, with European Design’ by the way – and now the South Korean brand has revealed full pricing and spec details. Like the rest of the line-up, Kia has divided its range into Grades so you know exactly where you fit in the foodchain.
‘Grade 2’ cars sit at the bottom of the range, and feature cruise contro, A/C, 16-inch alloy wheels, and seven-inch touch screen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. Despite being the lowest spec, Kia’s ‘Grade 2’ cars also come with Lane-keeping assist and Forward Collision Assist.
We’ve driven it: read our Kia Ceed (2018) review here
A special ‘Blue Edition’ will use a 1.4-litre T-GDi engine, and comes with all the ‘Grade 2’ goodies, plus a large eight-inch screen and 17-inch wheels – features usually found on the ‘Grade 3’ band. As you’d expect, it’s finished in the premium, Blue Flame colour.
‘Grade 3’ ups the ante, and adds 17-inch wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen and dual-zone A/C as well as parking sensors, while Kia’s ‘First Edition’ goes further still. Expect to find everything from black leather seats, a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat as well as corner lights, a JBL sound system, wireless phone charging and semi autonomous safety features in Kia’s range-topping line.
As for the prices? ‘Grade 2’ models will start at £18,295 for a 1.0-litre T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG, while ‘Grade 3’ model prices are still TBA. The first ‘First Edition’ 1.4-litre T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG will begin at £25,750, while the Blue Edition will start at £21,095 for a 1.4-litre T-GDi 6-speed manual ISG spec car.
Kia Ceed: what you need to know
Described by Kia Motors Europe’s CEO Michael Cole as the ‘European superstar’ of the range, even the name has had an overhaul. Sort of. It’s now punctuation-free, simply called Ceed rather than cee’d.
Kia proudly declares the Ceed has been designed and produced in Europe since 2007, and this new car is no different. It was designed at the brand’s European HQ in Frankfurt, and the name has been cleaned up to stand for ‘Community of Europe, with European Design’, ditching the apostrophe.
Looks sporty…
Kia has taken the four-door Stinger and miniaturised it into a family hatch shape. What we can see is a properly pointy front bumper, Kia’s usual ‘tiger nose’ grille and an evolution of the previous-gen Ceed’s ice cube lights that are now integrated into the main lenses.
Clean surfaces are the order of the day across the bonnet and along the sides, while the rear comes with a chunky bumper, small spoiler and rear lights that look very much like those found on the Optima.
The new Ceed sits on Kia’s K2 platform, is 20mm wider and 23mm lower. Better packaging means a 395-litre boot – 15 litres more than before.
What’s new inside?
It’s a simple layout, similar to that of the Hyundai i30 but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, making it easy to use and operate. A touchscreen infotainment system is perched on top of a cleanly-designed dashboard.
Due to the larger exterior dimensions (it’s wider yet lower), but the wheelbase remains the same. All of this should translate to more interior space for driver and passengers, while the boot has increased by 15 litres to offer 395 litres of space in the hatch.
New Kia Ceed: engines and specs
Engines include a naturally-aspirated 99bhp 1.4-litre petrol, along with a 118bhp 1.0-litre T-GDi and an all-new 138bhp 1.4-litre T-GDi turbo petrol. It’s not compleyely new though – it’s the same engine you’ll find under the bonnet of the Hyundai i30.
Two versions of the brand’s 1.6-litre CRDi diesel, a 114bhp and 135bhp offering, provide 207lb ft with the greenest emitting 110g/km on the new WLTP emissions cycle.
All engines come with a six-speed manual as standard, but you can spec a seven-speed dual-clutch on the 1.4-litre turbo petrol and the diesel.
As for engineering differences, Kia says the new Ceed now has fully-independent suspension with revised spring and damper rates and a quicker steering rack. The new Ceed had some development time on the UK’s near-infamously crap roads to make sure it’s a proper steer.
Will there be any other versions of the Ceed?
Along with the Ceed Sportswagon, a third body style is on the way for sure (yet to be revevaled), as well as a potential fourth body that we’re yet to find out more about. As and when we learn more, we’ll report back.
How much and when can I get one?
Kia’s new Ceed hatch goes into production in the second quarter of 2018, with sales beginning towards the end of Q2. As ever, it’ll be accompanied by the brand’s seven-year warranty.
Check out our Kia reviews here
