The Kia Ceed has established itself as a major player in the family hatchback market. Over several generations, it has evolved from a budget option into an impressive car in its own right. Kia’s impressive seven-year warranty is also useful for used buyers.
There is no shortage of rivals in this ultra-competitive sector, though. The Kia Ceed faces competition from the class-defining Volkswagen Golf, along with the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus. And don’t forget the SEAT Leon and Toyota Corolla, or indeed the closely related Hyundai i30. The Honda Civic and Mazda 3 are another two cars to consider.
The Kia Ceed is easy to recommend, with many good qualities that see it serve families well. It has become a popular used car for good reasons, with the latest generation blessed with good looks and a user-friendly interior.
One of the Kia Ceed’s biggest attractions is its generous level of standard specification. The Kia Ceed’s cabin feels well made, if not quite as premium as a Volkswagen Golf or Mazda 3. Standard faux-leather trim elements help lift the ambience in many models, and all the components feel built to last. Boot space in the Kia Ceed is competitive for the class, although room in the back seats is a little tighter. Those up front will have no complaints, though.
On the road, the Kia Ceed offers few surprises, with reassuring handling and a ride that is very capable at soaking up bumps. The steering is quick and accurate, with the tyres generating plenty of grip.
It’s impossible to discuss the Kia Ceed without mentioning the standard seven-year warranty. This is longer than the three- or five-year warranties offered by rivals, and can even be transferred to a new owner. This extended peace of mind is one of the Kia Ceed’s major selling points.
The Kia Ceed has more than enough ability to compete with rivals from Vauxhall, Ford and Toyota. It gets very close to the class-leading Volkswagen Golf in many areas, thanks to its blend of practicality and value. If you want a family hatchback with a strong reliability record, the Kia Ceed should be near the top of your list.
A Kia Ceed not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
You don’t need to spend big bucks to get a decent Kia Ceed. The most affordable 2 trim level will tick all the boxes for a lot of buyers, but we reckon models like the Kia Ceed 2 Nav or 3 represent the best value for money. Kia Ceed GT-Line and GT-Line S models are loaded with equipment, but you’ll pay more for them.
In terms of engines, don’t bother with a diesel unless you cover a lot of miles. The petrols are still efficient and better to drive. The standard 1.0-litre petrol is eager, if a little noisy, and will be fine for a lot of people. If you need a bit more performance (particularly for motorway driving), the 1.4 or later 1.5 would be a better option. Avoid the 1.6 GT unless you’re really averse to proper hot hatches like the Golf GTI.
Kia Ceed 1.0 T-GDI petrol: This was the starting point for the Ceed range when it was first launched. The 1.0 litre motor has 120PS to hand, giving 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds allied to combined economy stated at 52.3mpg, with emissions rated as 122g/km.
Kia Ceed 1.4 T-GDI petrol: This turbocharged 1.4-litre engine gives 140PS, which means 0-62mph in a decent 8.6 seconds. Fuel economy is 48.7mpg on the official figures, while emissions are 132g/km.
Kia Ceed 1.5 T-GDI petrol: The sole engine available for the more recent models of Kia Ceed is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol. With an output of 160PS, it is more powerful than the equivalent 1.5 engine found in a Volkswagen Golf. It accelerates the Kia Ceed from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds, and can achieve an average fuel economy of up to 49.6mpg.
Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi diesel: Available in 115- and 136PS forms, this turbodiesel is well suited to those covering plenty of miles. In its more powerful form and coupled to the dual-clutch automatic gearbox, it can turn in 67.3mpg and 110g/km of CO2 output. From 2022, the diesel became a hybrid still with 136PS but also 48-volt electric assistance.
Kia simplified the Ceed model range in 2022, leaving buyers with a choice of just two trim levels. Before that, there was more choice.
Kia Ceed 2: Kia did not shortchange buyers of this entry level model, which comes with 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 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A reversing camera is also standard, as is a host of safety features include lane assist and driver attention warning.
Kia Ceed 3: Entry into Kia Ceed ownership now starts with the highly specified 3 trim level. Many boxes are already ticked, ranging from satellite navigation to rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The interior features seats clad in a combination of cloth and faux-leather, while the exterior benefits from 17-inch alloy wheels and a chrome-trimmed front grille.
Kia Ceed GT: This model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, unique GT bumpers, a subtle gloss black rear diffuser, and ‘GT’ badging. A small roof spoiler helps channel air cleanly off the top of the car.
Kia Ceed GT-Line: The GT-Line is the top model in the Kia Ceed range, bringing sportier styling to this family hatchback. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels is fitted, along with new front and rear bumpers, and a rear spoiler with gloss-black details. Inside there are heated front seats, aluminium pedals and a heated flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Kia Ceed GT-Line S: In late 2020, the new GT-Line S trim gained a brand new 12.3-inch Full Digital Cluster.
The Kia Ceed’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4310mm
Width: 1800mm
Height: 1447mm
Ground clearance: 135mm
The Kia Ceed hatchback’s boot space is:
395 litres
1291 litres with rear seats folded
All Kia Ceed's will cost £180 to tax for a year when it comes to Vehicle Excise Duty. The exception to this is the hybrid diesel model, which brings that road tax cost down to £170 for 12 months of duty.
The Kia Ceed is an affordable family hatchback to buy and this also applies to insurance costs. Depending on the engine and trim you choose, you can reckon on a premium calculated on the car sitting anywhere between Group 9 and 20.
Read our full Kia Ceed review