Summary
The Kia XCeed is a high-riding crossover based on the Kia Ceed hatchback. It sits between the Ceed and the Niro models in the Kia family. The XCeed is a new addition to the range, with the first cars arriving in the UK in Autumn 2019.
The XCeed is available with petrol or diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain that was added to the range in Spring 2020.
The Kia XCeed has received generally positive reviews from the UK motoring media, although some titles have pointed out that it’s priced at a significant premium over the mechanically identical Ceed hatch while offering less practicality than a more SUV-styled vehicle like the Kia Niro.
As of December 2024, the Kia XCeed has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%, which is right in the midfield of the small SUV sector. It scores top marks for its low CO2 emissions and running costs, but its safety rating is only average and its media review scores are poor.
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door small crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £23,395 on-road
Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: Spring 2020
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol automatic First Edition
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Kia XCeed looks impressive and rides well. But the question is whether it offers enough that is different to a standard Ceed to justify the higher price.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“Plug-in hybrids have progressed quickly, but despite some visual updates and tech tweaks, the new Kia XCeed doesn’t offer the most sophistication, pure-electric range or refinement, even if the ride is okay.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The jacked-up Kia XCeed adds some extra practicality to the growing Ceed range”
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Model reviewed: 1.4 T-GDi
Score: 8 / 10
“The market for family hatchbacks with SUV trappings is small compared with the more conventional, more expansive C-segment crossover class, but the new Kia XCeed is worth considering if you value a strong kit count, a well built cabin, and peace of mind in the form of a long warranty.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia XCeed has its work cut out appealing to buyers in such an overcrowded and competitive section of the market. It has enough style and practicality to cut it on the school run, and it’s also quiet and comfortable to drive, very well equipped and reasonably affordable to buy.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“We’re sure these updates will keep Xceed customers coming back, but wonder if when compared to other Kia models and rivals, it is looking a bit dated.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia XCeed’s interior material quality betters some key rivals, it’s on the sweeter end of the spectrum to drive in this never-ending sea of faux-SUVs and is arguably the most technologically up-to-date Kia on sale.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“In essence, it’s just another thoroughly accomplished Kia to challenge some of the more ordinary contenders with style and up-to-date tech, and will certainly find many places on UK driveways – Kia expects it to become its third best-selling model – and it’s also telling that the most expensive version is likely to the most popular.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Kia XCeed manages to look more stylish and ride more comfortably than the Ceed on which it’s based.” (Ben Custard)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kia XCeed has a higher ride height, a range of cheap-to-run engines and lots of kit as standard. There are more comfortable SUVs with better rear space, though.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid automatic 3
“The Kia XCeed looks good and the PHEV powertrain makes for a tax-efficient and, if managed properly to maximise EV running, cost-efficient package. But the reduced boot space is noticeable, and those wanting a practical PHEV should maybe look at the Ceed SW.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual 3
“The Xceed gives Kia a far more appealing car in the small family hatchback market. The looks alone see to this, but the softer suspension will work well on UK roads and the additional tech is a welcome bonus.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual ‘2’
Score: 7 / 10
“The Kia XCeed is generally competent in most areas but the three-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine had performance that was only just about adequate for most requirements.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Very good looking ‘crossover’ based on the KIA Ceed. Nicely furnished inside. Well equipped. Sensible value for money. Much better on 16-inch wheels than on 18-inch wheels.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4 T-GDi
“The interior feels very similar to the hatch, with lots of premium materials (more so than the larger Sportage) and some fresh technology including a new 10.25-inch media system.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Stylish, tech-filled and accomplished crossover”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol automatic
“The XCeed hatchback is yet another knockout crossover from Kia”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol automatic First Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“XCeeds expectations.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual 3
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kia Xceed has a classy interior, sleek looks and a large, useful boot. But the trouble is, you have to live with the droning engine and its gutless performance, not to mention the finicky ride quality and seats that grow uncomfortable on longer trips.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“I had hoped the Kia Xceed would be better, not least because I wanted to use ‘Kia’s new crossover Xceeds expectations’ as the headline. But it doesn’t Xceed expectations. It meets them, neatly and predictably, in a pleasing but forgettable way.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A capable answer to a question nobody should be asking.”
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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 XCeed shares its safety rating results with the rest of the Kia Ceed family, as they all share a common structure.
The XCeed 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 December 2024, the Kia XCeed has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Kia XCeed to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the XCeed, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 45 mpg | C | 40 – 47 mpg | C – D |
Diesel models | 53 mpg | B | 52 – 53 mpg | B – B |
Plug-in hybrid models | 189 mpg | A | 168 – 202 mpg | A – A |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 142 g/km | B | 134 – 159 g/km | A – C |
Diesel models | 137 g/km | B | 133 – 141 g/km | A – B |
Plug-in hybrid models | 33 g/km | A | 29 – 38 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 28 miles | E | 26 – 30 miles | E – E |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 17 | A | 11 – 19 | A – A |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £219 | B |
Year 2 | £536 | B |
Year 3 | £861 | B |
Year 4 | £1,055 | B |
Year 5 | £1,413 | B |
Overall | £4,084 | B |
The Kia XCeed is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel economy is fairly average for petrol models but good for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 201 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…
The battery range of the plug-in hybrid model is quite poor too when compared with most rivals – the battery with 30 miles of range probably can’t handle most of your weekly driving without using any petrol, unless you are able to plug it into a charger very consistently.
Compared to the rest of the mid-sized saloon sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are excellent though, and insurance premiums are predicted to be in the lower brackets too.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia XCeed has received
2020
- Red Dot Design Awards – Product Design Award
- iF Design Awards – Product Design Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Kia XCeed, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q2 | Ford Focus Active | Kia Niro | Mazda CX-30 | Mercedes-Benz GLA | Mini Countryman | Toyota C-HR | Toyota Corolla TREK | Volkswagen T-Roc
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Kia XCeed at The Car Expert
Buy a Kia XCeed
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