Kia Ceed review

• For: Styling, equipment, warranty
• Against: No longer a cheap option, XCeed feels more special
• Verdict: Great value family hatchback

A five-door hatchback is just one of four body styles in the Ceed family: buyers can also opt for the Sportswagon estate, the sleeker and less practical Proceed estate and the XCeed compact crossover.

The hatch squares up to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, armed with a headline-grabbing seven-year warranty.

It’s not the budget-led alternative of before, though: prices start from just shy of £19,000. However, even the entry-level Ceed ‘2’ is packed with standard equipment.

Engines kick off with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol, with 1.4 and 1.6 units also offered. Meanwhile, a 1.6 diesel engine is available with two outputs.

Smart exterior styling is matched by a cabin that’s both practical and well-built.

The Ceed drives nicely, especially if you opt for the GT model – an insurance-friendly ‘warm hatch’.

Overall, this is a very good car, but consider buying the more impressive Xceed instead.

KEY INFO

• Launched: 2018
• Facelifted: TBC
• Due for replacement: TBC