Kia, which is the third best-selling brand in Spain in the cumulative first half of the year, after Toyota and Volkswagen, has in the XCeed with 4,438 units its third best-selling model, after the Sportage and the Stonic, 7,124 and 5,536 units each; and in front of the Ceed and the Niro.
Since 2019, Kia Ibérica has sold 22,710 units of this Ceed-related crossover in Spain and, like it, manufactured at the company’s factory in Zilina (Slovakia). Now this model receives some design changes in order to further distinguish itself from the Ceed, in addition to integrating a GT-Line finish to its offer he didn’t have: the ones that were for sale were the Concept, Drive, Tech and Emotion.
So the XCeed gets new LED headlights and a slightly different grille up front, as does the bumper and new air intakes. By integrating the fog function into the headlights, an air intake is now located in the space they occupied, allowing air to be directed around the front wheels to improve aerodynamic resistance.
Also the two 18″ wheels available are of a new design for 235/45 R18 tires -the other two, which are 16″, do not change and incorporate 205/60 R16 wheels- and at the rear there is a new diffuser with a glossy black protective plate and in which the tailpipes are “camouflaged”.
The wheel arches reinforce its SUV image, as does the ground clearance of the XCeed, which depends on the wheels fitted, i.e. 17 cm with the 16″ and 18 cm with the 18″, which represents an increase in travel of up to 4.4 cm compared to the Ceed with hatchback bodywork.
GT-Line with a more aggressive personality
In the case of GT-Line incorporates some modifications compared to the basic model, with the aim of achieving an air of greater sportiness and aggressiveness. The key to its appearance is the use of elements in satin chrome as is the case with the air curtains, the frame of the side windows, the roof bars… They also give the GT-Line ltail lights They are specific, composed of 37 LEDs each and with sequential indicators. This level is always associated with 18-inch wheels.
As for the interior, the most significant changes in all XCeeds they are in digital instrumentation 12.3 with new graphicsas well as in an rInterior mirror with a thinner border or the use of glossy black plastics around the gear lever. In the case of GT-Line steering wheel is different in shape, with the lower part flattened, while the headliner is black. As part of the seats, which are sporty with very marked sides, the upper part of the gear lever is covered in perforated leather.
This model of 4.40 cm long maintains its habitability unchanged, as well as the capacity of its trunk, which is 426 liters in the combustion engine versions and 291 liters in the hybrid.
Gasoline, Diesel and PHEV engine shafts
Indeed, the supply of engines consists, in gasoline, orn 1.0 T-GDI 120 hp, a 1.5 T-GDI 160 hp and a 1.6 T-GDI 204 hp; while in Diesel, this micro-hybrid with a 48-volt electrical architecture, it has a 1.6 of 136 hp. This Diesel is mated to both a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. In the petrol range, the six-speed manual gearbox is available for the 1.0 and 1.5-litre engines, although the latter can feature dual-clutch DCT, like that which is standard on the 204 1.6 T-GDI.CV.
In addition, the XCeed retains its plug-in hybrid powertrain in which, on the one hand, a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and, on the other hand, an electric motor are used. The the power of the combined system is 141 hp and the electric range, thanks to an 8.9 kWh battery, is 48 km.
As for the infotainment equipment, the possibility of wireless updates appearsas well as functions related to the selection of information on the radio, association with Google and Apple directories or services linked to Kia Connect such as live traffic information, weather forecast… The latest Kia Connect software supports creating two user profiles.
In driving aids, it improves adaptive cruise control with identified zone functionality in the navigator and which determines the speed in a given area or the curve functionwhich uses the data from it to predict a turn and adapt the speed to it.
Other aids available on the XCeed include Blind-Spot Vehicle Detection which works in conjunction with Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Driver Fatigue Detection, Collision-Avoidance Assist when exiting a parking lot or emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, speed limits, lane keeping, lane following and dynamics for high beams.