Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 Kia Ceed GT-Line 1.5 T-GDi
Price: Ceed from £23,105, GT-Line from £25,755
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power: 140hp
Torque: 253Nm
Emissions: 131g/km
Economy: 48.7mpg
0-62mph: 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 123mph
Boot space: 395-1,291 litres
Styling
The Ceed is not especially outstanding in its design, but when you take a step back it's a surprisingly smart-looking thing. The tiger-nose grille and sharp headlights are quite sporty when you look closely, and this GT-Line trim level comes with tinted windows, sportier bumpers and bigger wheels, all of which give it a kind of hot-hatch image, despite its conventional powertrain. But even the lesser versions are pretty smart, and arguably better looking than the existing VW Golf and Ford Focus models.
Interior
Kia hasn’t really changed the Ceed’s cabin all that much in recent years, but then it hasn’t really had to. Ever since this car was first launched, it has come with a well made, well thought-out interior that may not be especially innovative, but works really well. The switchgear is all sensibly positioned, the touchscreen is in easy reach and the driving controls are all exactly where they should be. The driving position is, in fact, very good indeed.
Materials, too, are well chosen, and though there’s a little bit of cost-cutting here and there, you’ll have to look very closely to find it. Everything you touch regularly – and even some things you don’t – is tactile and well made, and there are some neat touches in the trim and design.
The tech follows the rest of the cabin in that way, with functional systems that fill their brief perfectly, but don’t do anything especially remarkable. They’re easy to use, and though the navigation systems look a bit archaic now, the screen is still responsive and stable, and most of the menus are logically laid out. Maybe it’s a case of function over form, but when you’re trying to do something on the screen while driving, you won’t mind that too much.
Practicality
By family hatchback standards, the Ceed's space is not especially remarkable, but nor is it especially cramped. The 395-litre boot is hardly class-leading, but it's slightly bigger than that of a Volkswagen Golf, so it's more than spacious enough. Similarly, the space in the front is ample, and rear space is respectable without being remarkable. You should be able to fit four adults in there without too much trouble, although really tall rear-seat passengers might get slightly cramped on a long journey. And of course, if you want more space, you can always choose the Proceed shooting brake version or the more practical Sportswagon estate model, although there's little need to do so.
Performance
These days, there's only one engine option available for Ceed customers, and it's a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. That produces 140hp and sends it to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, although a double-clutch automatic is available as an option. But it's the manual we tested here, and though it's a bit vague at times, it's light, slick and tough enough to allow the Ceed to accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds. No, it doesn't sound very impressive, but it never feels underpowered, although the gearing is a little strange and you can occasionally find yourself in slightly too high a ratio.
Clearly, then, the focus is more on economy than performance. Officially, the Ceed will return almost 50mpg, and we found that figure achievable on a long run, albeit with a little bit of eco-conscious driving. But even without that, it was returning something in the mid-40s with no trouble whatsoever, and that should be enough to keep most customers happy. However, with no hybrid option (that's reserved for the larger, SUV-inspired XCeed), it won't be a top choice for company car drivers.
Ride & Handling
Given the Ceed's focus on economy over performance, it's no surprise to find this is not the most engaging hatchback out there. With slightly numb steering and body control that's acceptable but not exceptional, the Ceed is pleasant enough to drive on a winding back road, but it's no Ford Focus or Mazda3. Although grip is plentiful, it doesn't have the agility or the precision to match those two class leaders.
That said, it's a little more comfortable than those two cars, with suspension that soaks up bumps neatly and with minimal fuss. Though you still feel them, they never intrude too much, and everything feels nice and controlled. Even the most scarred of road surfaces won't catch it out, and motorway miles are perfectly pleasant. Perhaps a Peugeot 308 feels a little more absorbent, but the Ceed strikes a good balance between ride and handling.
Value
Kia might have joined the mainstream properly these days, but it still has value on its side. The Ceed starts at £23,105, which makes it almost £4,000 cheaper than the basic Golf, yet it still comes with lots of kit. Even the basic '2' model (don't ask what happened to the '1') comes with 16-inch alloys, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a reversing camera, as well as satellite navigation and a digital driver display.
The GT-Line model we tested, meanwhile, added sportier styling, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, as well as larger 17-inch alloys and part-leather upholstery. All of which came included in the £25,755 price tag. It's exceptional value, and even the most upmarket GT-Line S with the automatic gearbox comes in at just over £31,000. That's a lot of car for the money.
Verdict
The Ceed may not have the sharpness or comfort of some of its rivals, but it provides a great balance of the two, and combines them with cool looks and a high-quality cabin. That creates a really appealing alternative to the conventional European vehicles, and one that beats them in terms of value for money. It might not be the enthusiast's choice, but for the majority of customers, it is one of the best in the business.
