The new Kia Ceed is now available in IrelandCaroline drives the new 2018 Kia Ceed.
A new generation of the Kia Ceed has recently gone on sale in Ireland priced from €22,695. The third generation of Kia’s family hatchback has been produced to strengthen Kia’s presence in the C-segment in Europe. The new Ceed has been designed, developed, engineered and built in Europe and continues the brand’s onslaught of stylish, design-led models.
They say we eat with our eyes – well I’m pretty sure we buy cars with them too and the 2018 Kia Ceed definitely scores high on the desirability stakes. It’s lower and wider than the car it replaces, with a longer rear overhang. Within the confines of the shell of a five door hatchback, there really is not much room to be adventurous, but the Ceed has a satisfying design with Kia’s emblematic tiger nose grille, neat profile, tasteful detail and creases in all the right places.
What’s it like inside the 2018 Kia Ceed?
Slip inside the new Kia Ceed and again you are met with an interior that appears considered with style and attention to detail. The hard plastics are balanced with plenty of brushed satin chrome, gloss black detail and soft touch materials for a result that would put some rivals to shame in the style stakes. The ‘floating’ touchscreen looks fantastic set high in the dashboard and connects seamlessly to smartphones.
The interior of the 2018 Kia CeedThe Ceed’s new platform has allowed for a more spacious interior. The wider body means there’s more shoulder room, while a 16mm lower seating position in the rear creates more legroom and headroom for passengers. The boot is now up 15 litres to 395 litres, which is very competitive for this size of vehicle.
What are my options?
In Ireland, the 2018 Kia Ceed will be sold in four trim levels – K2, K3, K4 and K5. Engine availability depends on trim level but Kia Ireland is selling the 1.0-litre turbo petrol (120hp), a new 1.6-litre diesel (115hp) and a new 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine (140hp).
Safety equipment like Forward Collision Assist, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist and Driver Attention Warning are standard across the range, as well as 16” alloys, leather wrapped steering wheel, 7” display, Bluetooth with voice recognition and a reversing camera.
K3 adds equipment including LED headlamps and rear lamps, wireless phone charger, electric parking brake, half leather seats and parking sensors. K4 equipment adds 17” alloys, 8” display, rain sensing wipers and automatic temperature control. K5 models include heated leather seats, front ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, and push button start, blind spot collision warning, and parking distance warning.
The Kia Ceed range kicks off at €22,695 in IrelandMy test car was a Kia Ceed 1.0 petrol, 6 speed manual, in K4 trim with a list price of €25,695. Diesels in the Ceed range are available from €26,595 while the new 1.4-litre petrol is only available in the top level trim and is priced from €28,595. A ‘mild hybrid’ is promised in 2019.
Is the Kia Ceed nice to drive?
For this new generation of the Kia Ceed, Kia has tuned the ride and handling for European roads and drivers to make it more dynamic and engaging. There has also been a focus on eliminating noise and vibrations from the cabin.
On the road the 2018 Kia Ceed is stable, comfortable and refined. The steering is light when you need it, but the resistance builds as you head into a corner so the new Ceed is fun and sporty in its own way too. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine spins nicely, providing plenty of power for overtaking manouvres with 120hp and only running out of puff in the top cruising gear. There is a little vibration through the pedals at idle when cold and it can get noisy when pushed hard, but it is a joyful engine that suits the car. Over a few days of driving my fuel consumption was 7.2l/100km while motor tax is €270 per year.
Would you buy it?
The Ceed consistently ranks alongside the Sportage as one of Kia’s bestselling models in Europe and the new generation of the Ceed is evidence that Kia remain committed to the C-segment hatchback. In terms of style and quality the Ceed has taken another step forward, while the new car is also to be praised for its on the road driving manners. The Ceed remains competitive in space terms too for the class, with engine/trim options that make sense financially. If you are in the market for a new hatchback, there really is no reason not to check out the new Kia Ceed!
The Kia Ceed is a stylish five door hatchback that can compete with the best of themCaroline Kidd
Model tested: Kia Ceed 1.0-litre T-GDi K4
Price: €25,695 (Range from €22,695)
Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol
Power: 120hp
Torque: 172 Nm
0-100km/h: 11.1 seconds
Top speed: 190 km/h
Economy: 5.4 to 5.6 100km
CO2 emissions: 127 g/km
Motor tax: €270 per year