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Used Car Expert Rating

Kia Ceed (2018 to 2025)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

79
%
A

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

69
%
C

Safety Rating:

58
%
C

Eco Rating:

76
%
A

Reliability Rating:

95
%
A

Running Costs:

80
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

79
%
A

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

69
%
C

Safety Rating:

58
%
C

Eco Rating:

76
%
A

Reliability Rating:

95
%
A

Running Costs:

80
%
A

Summary

The Kia Ceed is was medium-sized family car, available as a five-door hatchback or estate (called the Sportswagon). This model is the third (and possibly last) generation and was launched in 2018.

In late 2025, the Ceed was retired and effectively replaced by the brand’s new K4 hatchback and estate range.

The Ceed received mostly positive scores from the UK motoring media, with the top-spec ‘GT’ model generally scoring better than the rest of the range. The Ceed was particularly praised for its value for money and driving dynamics. However, prices get expensive quite quickly as you go up the range to the ‘GT’.

There is a sleeker, sportier estate vehicle called the ProCeed and a crossover-style vehicle called the XCeed, the latter outliving the Ceed as it’s currently still available to buy new. We have separate pages for both of these models.

No longer on sale, the Kia Ceed has a Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 79%. It scores top marks for its excellent reliability record, low running costs and low CO2 emissions, and seven-year new car warranty. But its media review scores and safety rating are only average.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £22,545 on-road

Launched: Summer 2018
Last updated: Autumn 2021
Replaced: Winter 2025/26

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

More reviews

Auto Express

Auto Trader

Business Car

Car

Car Keys

Carbuyer

Carwow

Company Car Today

Daily Mail

Evo

Green Car Guide

Honest John

Parkers

The Sun

The Telegraph

Top Gear

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 52%
Safety assist: 68%

Note on safety

The Kia Ceed has two separate Euro NCAP safety ratings. Lower-specification models do not get as much safety equipment as standard, so they get a four-star rating as shown above.

Higher-specification models get an additional Advanced Driving Assistance Pack (available on most lower-spec models at additional cost), which earns them a five-star rating. This also bumps up the Vulnerable Road Users rating from 52% to 68%, and the Safety Assist Rating from 68% to 73%.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of April 2025, the Kia Ceed has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Kia Ceed has an excellent reliability score of 93%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current and previous generations, which is good news if you are considering a used Kia Ceed.

The only caveat is that this score is based on relatively few cars, with a total of only 36 claims to date. By comparison, the Vauxhall Corsa has a lower score but is based on more than 220 claims, so the data is more reliable.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Kia Ceed

Overall ratingA91%
Petrol or diesel modelsA85%
Electric or hybrid modelsA99%
New car warranty duration7 years
New car warranty mileage100,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Kia’s new car warranty is one of the best in the new car market, and better than pretty much any rival brands in a similar price bracket to the Ceed.

The duration is seven years, with a limit of 100,000 miles. This is good news for both new and used car buyers, as it helps the residual value of the Ceed for new car buyers when they come to sell the car, and it gives near-new car buyers confidence that they are covered for years to come.

The Ceed is only offered with petrol or (previously) diesel engines, so it doesn’t get the enhanced new car warranty that hybrid or EV models get. Some of the Ceed engines have mild hybrid support, but these don’t come with batteries.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Awards

Significant UK trophies and awards that the Kia Ceed has received

2022

  • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Hatch
  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Small Family Car

2021

  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Small Family Car

2019

  • Intelligent Instructor Awards – Car of the Year
  • Red Dot Awards – Product Design
  • iF Awards – Product Design

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Kia Ceed, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Current models: Citroën C4 | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Mazda 3 | Mini Cooper 5-Door | Peugeot 308 | SEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf

Discontinued models: Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010 to 2021) | Citroën C4 Cactus (2014 to 2021) | Fiat Tipo (2016 to 2024) | Mini Countryman (2017 to 2024) | Renault Megane (2016 to 2022)Suzuki Swace (2020 to 2025)

More news, reviews and information about the Kia Ceed at The Car Expert

Everything you need to know about Kia

Everything you need to know about Kia

Honda Jazz named the UK’s most reliable used car

Honda Jazz named the UK’s most reliable used car

Kia Ceed range gets plug-in hybrid power

Kia Ceed range gets plug-in hybrid power

Kia XCeed crossover pricing confirmed

Kia XCeed crossover pricing confirmed

Crossover to become fourth Kia Ceed variant

Crossover to become fourth Kia Ceed variant

Pricing and specs announced for trio of sporty new Kia models

Pricing and specs announced for trio of sporty new Kia models

Paris debut for Kia Ceed GT variant

Paris debut for Kia Ceed GT variant

Kia Ceed review

Kia Ceed review

First look – the real Geneva show stars

First look – the real Geneva show stars

Geneva debutant Kia Ceed revealed

Geneva debutant Kia Ceed revealed

New Kia Ceed to debut at Geneva Show

New Kia Ceed to debut at Geneva Show

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The Kia Ceed received positive scores from the UK media, with the top-spec GT model generally scoring better than the rest of the range.Kia Ceed (2018 to 2025)