Has Kia done its homework properly?
Already in 2007 we were introduced to the Kia Cee’d. A C-segmenter with a striking name, partly due to its somewhat clumsy apostrophe. In 2018, Kia introduced a new badge, eliminating the apostrophe. Under this badge, Kia pasted an all-new third-generation Ceed. A car with which the brand more than attacked the established order. Whether this apostrophe-free Ceed is also a mature car that can keep up with its competitors? Owners answer.
The Kia Ceed is available as a five-door hatchback and Sports wagon named station wagon. Strictly speaking, there are two station wagons and two hatchbacks, because under the name ProCeed the range also offers a smoother modeled ‘shooting brake’. Adventurers can opt for the more elevated XCeed, a model that has been largely redesigned compared to the Ceed hatchback. Before you can no longer tell the woods for the trees: we will not consider the two niche models in this article.
How does the Kia Ceed drive?
The user reviews give rise to the image of everyone’s friend. Kia proves to be able to please a diverse group of drivers. This owner is pleased with the dynamic capabilities of his Sportswagon 1.5 T-GDI: “The Ceed drives dynamically with very good handling, think of it as a so-called ‘driver’s car’. It brakes and steers well with feeling and the clutch is not too heavy.”
The Ceed also does not disappoint as a travel car, as witnessed by this review. “The car is stable at high speeds, 200 km/h in Germany it can easily sustain for a long time. Cornering is no problem, although I sometimes feel that it has sporty yet comfortable suspension.” Another compliments the steering: “The steering is accurate and quite firm.”
It’s not just praise. Almost without exception, Ceed drivers mention a strikingly present rolling noise from the tires. In a few it occurs over time, most drivers notice it almost immediately. This owner summarizes the experiences of a large group of drivers: “I think the big disadvantage of the Ceed is the rolling noise from the tires. Too bad, maybe a different choice of tires can change that. Also a pity because the engine is whisper quiet and there is hardly any wind.” In short: it would be a quiet car if the now strikingly present tire noise could be better damped.
Kia Ceed: sitting and the space offer
With regard to seating, Kia has properly inventoried the wishes of buyers. The quality of the seats is often mentioned by drivers and practically never in a negative sense. Striking: this always concerns the GT-Line version. With ‘the sports seats of the GT-Line are very comfortable and easy to adjust’, this owner represents the majority of Ceed drivers. One director still sees room for improvement: “The seat, it could be a little longer.” The choice for a GT-Line also brings a disadvantage, notes the owner of a red hatchback. “Due to the (standard on the GT-Line) glass roof, there is little headroom.”
Longer rear passengers are also very comfortable in the Sportswagon, this driver experiences. “When there are passengers, I don’t hear any complaints, nor does anyone ask if the seat can be moved forward a little further. It is good enough for people under two meters.” The owner is also full of praise for the trunk and the bins under the load floor, in which loose items can be stored. A possibility that the next driver can also appreciate: “There is no lack of luggage space, also under the loading floor a range of storage compartments and a spare wheel.”
Infotainment and driving assistance
The Kia Ceed is, as fashion dictates, equipped with an infotainment and navigation system and various driving assistants. Where owners of some cars elaborate on the (im)possibilities of the central touch screen, Kia remains calm. As a result, we carefully assume that the system does not hinder its users and functions properly. That requires some nuance, because at a certain point the software was provided with an update, which this owner writes about. He mentions both pros and cons. “Entering your destination on the navigation has become a huge annoyance after that latest update. Previously it was just step by step: country, city, street, house number. Now you have to fill in everything in one line, which often just doesn’t work.”
There is a positive note for the driving assistants. “After the last update, the adaptive cruise control has started to work better. Traffic jams are no longer so nervous. It now follows the start/stop driving much more smoothly.” The adaptive cruise control is really appreciated. This is different with the lane assistant. As we read more often in this section, owners prefer to switch it off, although there are no complaints with the Kia about too strong intervention of this system. Not only the lane assistant can be switched off, the adaptive cruise control also functions as a regular system if desired.
Maintenance, malfunctions and irritations
Judging by the practical experiences, the Kia Ceed seems to be a solid product. Where we sometimes read about a faltering infotainment system in modern cars, this is not the case with the Ceed. Complaints that do exist fall into the ‘small beer’ category. For example, the owner of a Ceed hatchback describes a creaking sound from the right rear. “The tailgate has been adjusted a bit tighter, but unfortunately that has not helped. I also came across the complaint about noises in the bodywork on forums, but I have not yet read a cause and a solution. However, in my opinion it is not very disturbing.” The same owner also had the fuel filler flap adjusted better, “because it was no longer in line with the body. Unfortunately, it still deviates a bit.”
As we are used to, Kia also supplies the Ceed with a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty. On the other hand, the manufacturer wants to see the car regularly. “A service every 15,000 km, unfortunately I only found out about this during delivery of the car”, sighs the owner of this Ceed. “It may be red, but it’s not a Ferrari…”
Engines and powertrain
Under the hood of the Ceed you will find a variety of petrol engines. A 1.0-liter three-cylinder with 120 hp, a 1.4 with 140 hp or a 1.5 with 160 hp. Top model is the GT, of which the 1.6-liter T-GDI delivers 204 hp. Diesel drivers always get the 1.6 CRDi (115 hp) and since 2020 there is a plug-in hybrid Ceed. Most experiences on AutoWeek.nl relate to the compact 1.0, which is generally fine. This owner, for example, is very pleased with it. “I continue to enjoy the nice engine every time, which ‘snores like a pussy’ and picks up very immediately. The engine is smooth, fast, quiet and with a nice roll, what more could you want.”
Another also describes a feline attitude, but in a different way. “It is a separate engine. Quite spicy, but also capricious. Sometimes I think: Sooo that’s easy, but sometimes it’s like: come on now!” Those who opt for the 1.5 T-GDI will receive a very pleasant engine, according to this driver. “It goes like the proverbial fire brigade, what a power! Noticeably more than the old 1.4 with 140 hp that I also drove. The engine is quiet, fast and powerful in every rev range; a real pleasure to drive.” Anyone who opts for this 1.5 in combination with a DCT automatic transmission must, according to the owner of such a car, take into account two points of attention. “The automatic transmission takes some time when you switch to forward or reverse. Annoying when turning on the street. And if you floor the accelerator too deeply, the front wheels tend to slip.”
Under the line, Kia seems to have produced a good all-rounder. The brand would do well to take a closer look at the sound insulation. Apart from that, owners are very pleased with their apostropheless Korean.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl