Currently, the market is flooded with partly electrically powered cars called hybrids. Almost all brands are fully committed to the plug-in hybrid, such as Kia with the new XCeed PHEV.
Say hybrid and thoughts probably go straight to pioneer Toyota. The competition is now doing everything to change that, because the plug-in hybrid is for many brands the ultimate weapon to get the average fleet emissions to the 95 grams required by the EU. Kia is now doing this by providing the Ceed SW and XCeed with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Yet we do the Koreans short if we unceremoniously include them among the latecomers. After all, Kia already offered a hybrid version of the Optima in 2012, while the hybrid Niro has been extremely popular for years. However, Kia does not want to push its customers in one specific direction, but rather focuses on offering as much choice as possible. That explains why the Niro is not only available as a regular hybrid, but also as a plug-in hybrid and as an EV, while the petrol and diesel versions of the Ceed and XCeed (some even with mild hybrid support) are now accompanied by a plug-in version. .
The powertrain of the XCeed 1.6 GDi PHEV DCT6, as the car is called in full, can also be found in the Niro PHEV. This means that the basis is formed by an atmospheric 1.6-liter four-cylinder that runs according to the so-called Atkinson cycle. The Koreans explicitly follow Toyota’s example and do it differently from most European competitors, who almost as standard opt for a setup with an existing, small turbo petrol engine as the basis. The Atkinson engine is more efficient and therefore loses some power, but that lack can be compensated for by the electric motor in a hybrid. The result is a car that, even with a (nearly) empty battery, must be more economical than an equally powerful petrol variant with a turbo engine.
UNREST RIDE
Compared to such a petrol XCeed, the hybrid is over 200 kg heavier. The car is certainly not fast. Strangely enough, this is particularly annoying on the highway. With 100 km / h it all goes well, but if there is (thick) 130 to be driven, the XCeed chooses at the slightest slope or the first breath of headwind for the fifth of the six. As a result, the car revs more than is pleasant and there is regular switching back and forth, which makes for a restless ride. That is a shame, because otherwise the various components of the powertrain work together in a pleasant way. The transition from electric to petrol driving is smooth and shock-free, where only a high noise from the petrol engine sometimes causes irritation. The dual-clutch automatic transmission is a nice thing in itself and shifts smoothly and quickly.
The chassis of the Kia XCeed is well suited to the extra kilos of the plug-in version and those who do not just step out of another XCeed will not experience the PHEV as particularly heavy. Still, the XCeed doesn’t feel really light-footed and direct. In return, the Kia does come across as a hefty, serious car. Steering is just a bit harder than we are used to in this segment, but the XCeed is a real friend to everyone. Another plus is that the Kia can travel a significant distance electrically. A battery pack of 8.9 kWh provides a theoretical electrical range of 48 km, which we were able to approximate in practice. The battery pack does not come without its drawbacks, because the luggage compartment shrinks from 426 to 291 liters. However, it must be said that the luggage compartment of the XCeed, due to its shape and the relatively large floor space, is more usable than the figures suggest. It is also nice that space has been made under the floor for a charging cable, so that that usually dirty thing does not have to be left lying around in the luggage compartment. In the back seat, the space on offer is not overly spacious, but it is still reasonably good in the back of the Kia.
FINE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
The interior of the Kia is neatly finished and has a perfectly logical layout, but it can still take a step forward in terms of quality perception. The infotainment system will be received with more enthusiasm. The PHEV comes standard with a 10.25-inch widescreen touchscreen with Kia’s Uvo Connect system, which works very well. The screen responds immediately, is logically arranged and with a configurable main screen and a shortcut that can be programmed as desired, it can be arranged according to your own taste. The car has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and has a fully digital instrumentation. That looks nice, but because the round ‘clocks’ are always in the picture, the added value is limited.
The fine widescreen display and digital instruments are in good company in the Kia, because the tested Executive-Line version is completely packed with treats. Seat heating all round, seat ventilation at the front, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a panoramic roof and all available driving aids are standard. The top version of the 1.6 GDi PHEV is only slightly more expensive than the 1.4 T-GDi petrol version with automatic transmission in ExecutiveLine trim. The simplest DynamicLine version of the XCeed PHEV is also quite well equipped, but for distance cruise control you have to go to the second level. Kia does impress with the excellent lane assistance system, which actually keeps the car active in the middle of the lane.