SUVs and crossovers continue to top many automobile buyers’ wish lists, but classic hatchbacks remain relevant in 2022, according to Kia Xceed. The Kia Ceed family is still vital to its range and goes against well-known best-sellers like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. The popular Xceed model we’re reviewing here has been revamped with crisper styling, newer onboard technology, and a more focused engine lineup that now includes a crucial hybrid option. It arguably delivers the best of both forms.
Not having a PHEV is exciting and reveals how expensive cars can be to buy
With the plug-in hybrid available only in one grade, the Xceed engine range relies solely on a 1.5-litre gasoline engine as a throwback to the days when it discontinued earlier diesel varieties. It’s fantastic to see how much more expensive hybrids may be compared to their non-PHEV equivalents. Of course, that only tells half the story when it comes to operating costs, and if you’re purchasing as a company vehicle,
The deeply discounted Benefit In Kind can mitigate that additional expenditure. However, private buyers would need to drive a lot of pure electric kilometres (probably have off-street parking and a home charging point) even with the cheaper VED/road tax for it to be cost-effective. We face the risk that the pure petrol variant appears to be a better value for the money unless you meet those exact requirements.
Kia still stands out with its impressive seven-year warranty
Kia and Hyundai, Kia’s sibling brands, share a lot of hardware and software, and both brands are known for their dependability. Kia still stands out, though, with its renowned seven-year warranty, and the piece of mind it provides means that should anything go wrong, you’re covered for most common finance terms and beyond.
Additionally, a common feature is a reversing camera, which is helpful considering the shortcomings of the back view.
In addition to airbags and other “passive” safety features like the expected Isofix mounts, all seeds include driver-aid features. Typical automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), self-dipping headlights, driver fatigue alert, and lane-keeping assistance are among them.
Funnier faux leather seats are even more unique.
Although the Xceed’s sleek outside is appealing, the interior is rather dark and cramped with darker trim materials, especially for passengers in the back. If you’re searching for a family-friendly Kia, the Sportage might be a better option because there isn’t much legroom. The combination of a low-slung seating posture with a better view of the road ahead due to being slightly higher off the ground is better for the driver and front-seat passenger, making it a reasonably appealing combination.
Although there are no functional issues with the lower trim levels, if you can afford them, the excellent imitation leather seats feel more luxurious than the usual fabric seats and would be well worth the extra. Although you lose a lot of battery power in a hybrid and only get the pricier 40:20:40 split-top rear bench seat, the rest of the seats are arranged in the standard 60:40 fashion; the trunk space is enough and not overly spacious. Despite Kia’s efforts to make the Xceed more comfortable than the standard Ceed hatchback by upgrading the suspension components, we weren’t satisfied with the ride quality on the road. Although the higher ride height puts you in that elevated position that many drivers enjoy, it also makes the vehicle feel slightly heavier.
Except that this peculiar sensation weirdly coexists with unpleasant roughness from bumps and other flaws in the road. Notably, the hybrid has smaller wheels, which is slightly beneficial. The elevated posture that many drivers seem to enjoy is provided by the raised ride height, which gives you a little weighty feeling. However, this strange sense combines unpleasant roughness on bumps and other road irregularities.
Notably, the hybrid has smaller wheels, which is slightly beneficial. The elevated posture that many drivers seem to enjoy is provided by the raised ride height, which gives you a little weighty feeling. However, this strange sense combines unpleasant roughness on bumps and other road irregularities. Notably, the hybrid has smaller wheels, which is slightly beneficial.
The physical buttons for touch-sensitive action underneath it are genuinely a helpful addition.
To achieve a competitive pricing point, Kia offers a base trim level. However, most purchasers are willing to pay a slight extra in monthly financing costs to upgrade to the base or mid-level models of the facelifted range. The Xceed serves as evidence for this point, as with the fact that the three GT-Line variants come with the centre 10.25-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and an excellent user interface that you truly desire.
There is still a good volume knob, even though we’re unsure if going from touch-sensitive functioning to the physical buttons underneath is more functional. Adding heated seats, privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, and other features make this upgrade appealing. The top GT-Line S receives more opulent seat upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, updated JBL speakers, and a digital instrument panel. At the same time, the GT-Line is mainly unchanged but for a few sporty trims. Attractive. However, there is a substantial price increase compared to the GT-Line.
You have to choose the hybrid if you want an automatic gearbox.
The ordinary Xceed is a touch lighter than many competitors because it is built on a hatchback rather than a crossover or SUV, and its 160-horsepower standard petrol engine gives it more power than it should. Unfortunately, the soft ride and sluggish steering don’t maximize this. The manual gearbox is a bit slow with a noticeable “hole” in the power delivery, exactly when you need a burst of acceleration to merge onto a roundabout or in heavy traffic.
If you desire an automatic transmission, you must select the hybrid. The substantial additional weight hinders the electric motor yet helps fill that gap in the power supply. Although the electric motor is capable of up to 30 miles of purring, it is simple to become overloaded and need the assistance of the gasoline engine. As a result, you’ll want to get triple-digit miles per gallon, especially if you plan to travel outside of town and on the highway. Although neither option is optimal, we will choose pure gasoline over the hybrid to save money.
