No nonsense
With the electric EV6 and EV9, Kia has two nicely idiosyncratic EVs in house, but it is certainly not safe with the design of the Niro and Sportage, among others. At the same time, the brand still has something to offer in the traditional hatchback segments, with the Ceed Sportswagon in the C segment providing extra space. It is yours for less than 30 grand and that makes it seem like an attractively priced all-rounder. But what do you get for that money?
Kia Ceed Sportswagon ComfortLine, €27,895
The Kia Ceed is already in its third generation and is currently available as a five-door hatchback and as a station wagon. Both were facelifted in 2021 after a market introduction in 2018 and are therefore still on the market for a few years at the most. With its facelift, it was not very radically but visibly updated, so that it looks very modern – despite its ‘traditional’ design. Although the Ceed is also available as a plug-in hybrid, it is mainly ‘just’ a C-segmenter with combustion engine and front-wheel drive.
As a Sportswagon, it offers enough space for almost everyone’s needs, while the starting price of €27,895 remains well below 30 grand. This means that the additional cost for the station wagon variant is only €700 compared to a five-door Ceed, which costs from €27,195. That is not much more than the current starting prices of some B-segment cars, so that we can already say that the Ceed Sportswagon offers a lot of space for its money. But does he have more to offer?
From 0 to 100 in 11.4 seconds
In any case, the Korean keeps it modest in terms of motor. Under the hood we find a 1-liter three-cylinder with 120 hp, which – coupled to a manual six-speed gearbox – is good for a 0 to 100 time of 11.4 seconds. The car weighs 1,235 kg and can tow up to 1,000 kg with an optional towbar. The Ceed Sportswagon is also available with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and 160 hp, but you can only order that engine in combination with the DynamicLine version, which means that the Kia costs at least €31,895.
A ComfortLine with the 120 hp 3-cylinder can hardly be distinguished from the outside from the more expensive DynamicLine, because both variants lack privacy glass and are on only 16-inch light-alloy wheels, which in any case have a nice and striking shape. The only additional cost-free paint option for the Ceed Sportswagon is a white unipaint. Metallic costs €795 extra.
The slip-on is not finished to a very high quality, but there is hardly any lack of functionality.
Completely functional
The 16-inch wheels and white unipaint will probably come a bit thrifty about; inside the entry-level Ceed you lack nothing. The Kia has two-zone climate control, electric windows all around, heated exterior mirrors and a reversing camera. Contemporary connectivity options are also available in the form of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth. In addition, the Ceed has driver assistance systems such as an emergency braking system and an active lane assist.
There is also a cruise control and LED daytime running lights at the front are standard. The steering wheel in the ‘cheapest’ Ceed is leather-covered, multifunctional and adjustable in all directions, which, together with the adjustable center armrest and extensive seat adjustment, contributes to a pleasant seating position. Is something still missing?
Step up
Of course. The infotainment screen in the entry-level vehicle may provide access to CarPlay and Android Auto, but it is small and has no navigation function. We also miss several USB ports in the interior and some would welcome parking sensors at the back. For them, the DynamicLine, the second trim level, offers a solution. In combination with the three-cylinder engine, it is available from €29,895, so €2,000 extra, but then you immediately have a slightly higher-quality interior and more LED lighting on the outside.
The DynamicPlusLine is available in combination with the entry-level motor for €31,895, but with an additional cost of €4,000 it is already quite complete. Seat and steering wheel heating, a partly artificial leather interior, keyless entry, blind spot assistant, electrically operated tailgate, digital instruments and a wireless phone charger: it’s all there. Combine that with the space that the station wagon has to offer, and you know that even in 2023 you get a lot of value for money for €32,000 – even if you already have a very neat slip-on in front of the door for €27,895.
The Kia Ceed also has the most flashy LED daytime running lights at the front as a ComfortLine.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl