Despite corona, you will not see gloomy faces at Kia. The Kia Niro is likely to be the best-selling car of 2021 and the electric EV6 is widely admired. And oh yes, there was also a Kia Ceed facelift…
What is striking about the Kia Ceed (2022)?
It is especially striking that the new Kia Ceed leads such an inconspicuous existence. Kia has presented so many new models with the EV6, the Sportage and the Niro that the facelift of the Ceed has crept in like a thief in the night. Three of the four versions were updated: the hatchback, the Sportswagon and the Proceed. Only the Kia Xceed, which is only over two years old, remains out of the picture.
While it is best a striking facelift. The Ceed got, as usual with a facelift, new LED headlights and taillights. On the GT-Line and GT, the air intakes at the front have been enlarged. The two chromed trim pieces in the grille stand out, but perhaps the new logo is even more eye-catching: the K, I and A are gracefully tied together, although it now seems strangely enough as if there is KN. Was the designer dyslexic or is everything allowed, as long as it’s art?
What are the advantages of the Kia Ceed?
Kia is still quite favorably priced. For example, the Ceed is cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf. For a Golf 1.0 TSI with 90 hp ask the dealer 27,690 euros. Kia gives you 10 hp more for 3595 euros less. We also mention the unparalleled seven-year warranty that Kia offers.
The Ceed 1.5 T-GDi with 160 hp and 253 Nm is quite fast. A 0-100 in 8.6 seconds is neat, as is the top speed of 210 km/h. Even consumption remains well within limits. On average, during our test week we come out a liter higher than the manufacturer’s specification of 5.5 l/100 km (1 in 18.2).
Our GT-PlusLine has fine suede sports seats as standard, which, because of their tightness, force you to go to the gym at 6 in the morning in these lockdown times, or go in the evening in the rain and wind to run …
What are the downsides of the Kia Ceed?
A minor flaw is the nervous DCT transmission, where you have to operate the accelerator pedal when driving away as if it were a Ming vase, otherwise you will be in the carport of the neighbor across the street. But that is a shortcoming of all dual-clutch gearboxes.
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It is especially the too hard tuned chassis that can be improved. The Ceed was the first Kia fully developed for the European buyer in 2006, but apparently in Korea they still think that every European drives like a rally driver. A better balance between comfort and sportiness is welcome in the next generation.
When will the Kia Ceed come to the Netherlands and what is the price?
There are three petrol versions of the Ceed for sale: the 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder with 100 hp (from 24,095 euros), the 160 hp 1.5 T-GDi (from 28,095 euros) and the 1.6 T-GDi with 204 hp, which is only available on the sporty GT (43,795 euros). The GT has a seven-speed DCT dual clutch transmission as standard, but the other engine variants can also be equipped with this.
The Kia Ceed Sportswagon costs at least 25,095 euros (1.0 T-GDI with manual gearbox). It is not available as GT, for the most expensive Kia Ceed Sportswagon (1.5 T-GDI GT-PlusLine with DCT transmission) you pay 37,095 euros. The Sportswagon is also available as a plug-in hybrid (1.6 GDI PHEV, 141 hp, 34,695 euros).
You don’t have to look for a Kia Ceed with a diesel engine in the Netherlands, in Belgium you can still buy it with 136 hp turbo diesel.
What do I think of the Kia Ceed (2022)?
Always nice when brands really work on a facelift. Often you do not even see the difference with the predecessor, but with the Kia Ceed they have not made it easy. Favorite detail: the rear lights with 48 small LED lights.