Volkswagen T-Roc rival will go on sale later this year with revolutionary styling and more space than the hatchback
19 March 2019

The Kia Ceed crossover, previewed here in a design sketch revealed by the Korean company, will become the fourth model in the expanded Ceed range, alongside the existing five-door hatchbackSportswagon estate and Proceed shooting brake. 

Kia's Volkswagen T-Roc rival will sit between the smaller Stonic and the full-size Sportage SUV, aiming to help capitalise on the growing SUV and crossover segments. Sales are expected to start at the end of 2019.

Gregory Guillame, vice president of design for Kia Motors Europe, said the new model "will play the role that's needed to make the Ceed range stronger and even more exciting, more appealing to European consumers.

"The design will be nothing like you've seen in the Ceed family so far."

The car was first spotted testing in November last year, and the most recent pictures showed it undergoing winter testing ahead of its reveal in March. During this test, it was benchmarked against a VW T-Roc. 

Our Verdict

Kia Ceed 2018 road test review front tracking

Will it be third time lucky for Kia’s Europe-only hatchback - or are established rivals from Ford, VW, Seat and Honda still the better buy?

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A Kia spokesperson confirmed the model will be revealed in full at a dedicated event in the coming weeks. 

Although disguised, the prototype revealed a number of stylistic similarities to its hatchback counterpart. The main differences come in the form of larger diameter wheels and tyres, raised suspension and what appears to be a bulkier tailgate design beneath the usual camouflage. Unique front and rear bumpers and prominent roof rails also feature. 

Aside from the differences in design, the Ceed and its crossover offshoot will share the same fundamental underpinnings and powertrains. As such, engine options will include Kia’s turbocharged 118bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine and the 114bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel.  

The utilitarian design elements are unlikely to translate into a four-wheel-drive system, however, as the larger, four-wheel-drive Sportage’s drivetrains are not currently offered in the Ceed. Kia could offer a drive mode selector in the Ceed crossover, which would allow drivers to choose an appropriate drive set-up for adverse weather or challenging terrain. 

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Comments
6

1 November 2018

 Is it a Ford? Is it a VW? Is it a Fiat?....no! It a Kia Ceed!!!!, Cars nearly look the same these Days...

Peter Cavellini.

1 November 2018
Peter Cavellini wrote:

 Is it a Ford? Is it a VW? Is it a Fiat?....no! It a Kia Ceed!!!!, Cars nearly look the same these Days...

And yet people like you complain about 'niche cars' all the time. Seems people like you cannot make your mind's up!

2 November 2018
centenary wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 Is it a Ford? Is it a VW? Is it a Fiat?....no! It a Kia Ceed!!!!, Cars nearly look the same these Days...

And yet people like you complain about 'niche cars' all the time. Seems people like you cannot make your mind's up!

. I was being humorous, and these Cars aren’t niche, they’re Meat n two Veg to the Car makers, they’re the most popular Transport next to SUV’s, the trouble is they all looks similar, I guess it must be hard not to copy others if they have a good design and, when one comes up with a new innovation some copy it.

Peter Cavellini.

FMS

29 January 2019
Peter Cavellini wrote:

centenary wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 Is it a Ford? Is it a VW? Is it a Fiat?....no! It a Kia Ceed!!!!, Cars nearly look the same these Days...

And yet people like you complain about 'niche cars' all the time. Seems people like you cannot make your mind's up!

. I was being humorous, and these Cars aren’t niche, they’re Meat n two Veg to the Car makers, they’re the most popular Transport next to SUV’s, the trouble is they all looks similar, I guess it must be hard not to copy others if they have a good design and, when one comes up with a new innovation some copy it.

 

Pretty petey messes up again, having been rebuked already. Complains that they all look the same then praises them for finding good design and going on to copy it!. Being humorous...best not to...clearly not working for you. Rebuked.

1 November 2018

Without an AWD system this isn't a Golf Alltrack rival. It'll probably sell better, but the Alltrack will actually go further offroad than any FWD hatchback with some plastic cladding. 

1 November 2018

Doesn't look like it's got much! If this is a Golf all track rival it would still look like a Ceed just with some body cladding. I suspect this is more of a rival for the Qashqai.

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