The Ceed is one of the best-selling models in Kia’s extensive range, the first non-SUV ; a brand that is already close to meeting its sales target for this year, which was 56,400 units. Kia leads, on the other hand, sales to individuals, with a 10.2 percent share of that private channel.
This compact, which is in its third generation -it was launched in 2018, being the first in 2007-, has three bodies. They are a hatchback, another shooting brake type, the ProCeed one; and a third family, the Tourer, all of them with five doors and that now see how some of their essential design features, particularly the front, have been modified. The changes that these Ceed now receive will reach the XCeed, the crossover of the family, in the middle of next year.
Each of the finishes, and particularly that of the plug-in hybrids, GT-line and GT, incorporates specific features, beyond the fact that in all of them the grille changes and is interpreted differently, such as bumpers or air intakes.In the PHEVs it is closed, with two large side intakes and a bumper similar to that of the GT-line, in addition to LED headlights. These are present in all versions, although the light signature offered by the daytime running lights -which also act as turn signals- is not exactly the same in all of them.
In the GT, contrasting red elements are incorporated in this front, furthermore the grille is formed by a two-stage injection molding, which produces a gloss black and red finish. Also at the rear, the diffuser is different and has double round exhaust outlets. To further emphasize its sporty design, the wheels are 18” and the red details also provide a differentiated look.In the GT-line they are 17” and have a gloss black finish. The 16” ones are for the Concept, Drive or Tech versions.
Apart from the previous changes, four new colors appear in the range: Machined Bronze, Lemon Splash, Yucca Steel Gray and Experience Green.
Inside, the changes are nuanced
Four new upholsteries appear in the passenger compartment, with the option of black leather and contrast stitching on the GT-line and GT; Newly designed gear knobs or for the instrumentation, a 12.3” screen is used in all cases together with the 10.25” central one for infotainment, it has a split screen and whose software can be updated wirelessly.
The latest update includes the connected services Kia Connect, which allows both from the car and with an app to use functions such as search by voice recognition, synchronization of the agenda with the browser, control the location of the car or have a guide for the last kilometer with augmented reality. In the Ceed Tourer PHEV you can now also program the battery charge in the app.
As for the driving aids , the blind spot assistant has been improved , so that the steering wheel offers opposition to the turn if the driver starts to change lanes; or the fatigue detector includes a warning that the preceding car has started after a stop at a traffic light or a traffic jam. In addition, it has a lane maintenance system that works in a formidable way, the warning of frontal collisions, speed limit… Other contributions, now incorporated, are the rear view monitor that allows to show the place that the car will occupyand that can be activated on the go or a safe exit warning system for passengers that warns if a car is approaching from behind. Other updates act with the rear collision prevention assistant, since now it not only warns of the risk but also brakes if an incident can occur or that the cruise control is also present in the versions with a six-speed manual transmission. .
Microhybridization, Diesel and a new 160 hp T-GDI
This change can be of two types, with robotic clutch or not. In the first case, iMT, is present for all micro-hybrid motors with 48-volt electrical architecture; therefore, the 1.0 T-GDI of 120 or the Diesel 1.6 CRDI of 136 CV. The first of them can also have versions without microhybridization, in addition to another 100 hp that always uses a conventional manual transmission.
The double-clutch automatic transmission is present as an alternative to the manual transmission in the 136 CV Diesel; while it is the only transmission of the 1.0 T-GDI with 120 hp micro-hybrid and the 1.6 T-GDI -without 48 volts-, the top of the Ceed range with 204 power and is only used in the GT versions.
Below this is the new engine for this compact, the 160 hp 1.5 T-GDI that replaces the 1.4 T-GDI.It has continuous variable distribution and gas recirculation, in addition to being supercharged with turbo. We have used it in a ProCeed, perhaps the most peculiar silhouette format in the range.
Always linked to a 7DCT automatic transmission , it surprised us with a very abrupt closure of its double clutch that was maintained during the first meters. It may be because it was cold, because once the first start-ups were solved, it did not appear again.
We were also struck by the low participation of microhybridization in our unit , whether it was providing extra energy to the gasoline engine with its generator-starter when starting or when accelerating, such as transforming the wheels into electricity when the engine stopped. do it. In other models of the brand with smaller displacement engines we have found more participation of the 48-volt system.
In any case, it is avery willful engine, with a good disposition to push and that could be a good “boy for everything” in these Kia Ceed, since it is present with all the bodies and unlike the 1.0 TGDI of 100 CV, only with the hatchback; or the 1.6 T-GDI with 204 hp, which the family member lacks.
This Tourer, however, maintains the 141 hp plug-in hybrid propulsion system, while its body allows the incorporation of one of the two battery blocks – the other fits under the rear seat – in the extended rear overhang that the others lack. Ceed.
Prices range from 20,775 euros to 38,500, the most expensive being this hybrid with the eMotion finish and the least expensive 100 CV Concept.
