Refresh and additional tech for KIA XCeed models
After selling over 120,000 vehicles in Europe, Kia’s XCeed compact crossover has received a series of product enhancements for 2022 including a bold new exterior design, an enhanced interior and a new GT-line trim. Both the exterior and interior have been enhanced to better match the sporty urban nature of the XCeed and make it an even more distinctive member of the wider Ceed model family.
As with other members of the Ceed model family, the new XCeed will be manufactured at Kia’s high-tech production facility in Zilina, Slovakia, with sales commencing in September 2022. The new crossover will once again come with Kia’s seven-year,150,000 kilometre warranty.
The new Kia XCeed features new LED headlamps and a revised grille, front bumper and innovative air intake design. By creatively integrating the fog lamps into the headlights, the designers were able to include air curtains on either side which guide air smoothly around the vehicle’s wheels to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
The new XCeed rides on dedicated 18-inch alloys designed specifically for CUV-segment appeal. At the rear, targeted refinements include a new diffuser with a gloss black skid plate and a discreet ‘exhaust-look’ design for a refreshed sporty look across the XCeed range. In profile, the XCeed’s relatively long bonnet flows into the A-pillars aft of the front wheels, lending the car a sporty, swept-back silhouette. While the wheelbase remains the same as other models in the Ceed line-up at 2,650mm, the XCeed’s front and rear overhangs have been extended over the five-door hatchback by 25mm at the front (to 905mm) and 60mm at the rear (to 840mm). The only body panels carried over from its five-door hatchback sibling are the front doors.
At the rear, LED tail-lights emit a slim, highly-technical light signature which, when viewed from certain angles, appears to spear forward into the shoulders of the car. The heavily-creased lines running horizontally across the tailgate and rear bumper give the new XCeed a wider, more stable posture.
The XCeed’s ground clearance is 172mm on 16-inch wheels and 184mm on 18-inch wheels, a rise of up to 44mm over the Ceed five-door hatchback. Wheel arch and side sill cladding, along with satin chrome roof rails, lend the car a tough presence.
Inside, the new Kia XCeed’s sculptured centre console is oriented slightly towards the driver. With a commanding seat position and raised ground clearance over a conventional hatchback, the Kia XCeed provides drivers with a sportier driving position while also allowing for a better view of the road ahead.
A ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system stands apart from the dashboard, while the lower portion of the instrument panel provides a set of touch-sensitive buttons, dials and switches to control audio volume, heating and ventilation. Highly ergonomic in layout and functionality, these controls have been redesigned to improve interaction and enable drivers to make quick changes to the cabin environment without taking their eyes off the road.
The interior is finished in sophisticated soft-touch materials throughout, with a satin chrome dashboard trim presenting a refined, upscale ambience. Buyers can choose from a range of cloth, suede, synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery finishes for the seats.
The interior also receives a GT-line treatment, with a host of improvements to match the sporting feel of the exterior including a motorsport-inspired ‘D-cut’ steering wheel, black headliner, a gear knob wrapped in perforated leather and a special GT-line seat design.
With a total length of 4,395mm, the new Kia XCeed is 85mm longer than the Ceed five-door hatchback and 120mm more compact than the Sportage. Its maximum roof height of 1,495mm also means it stands 48mm above the Ceed and 155mm below the Sportage, providing drivers with a lower centre of gravity than its taller sibling.
Three turbocharged petrol direct injection (T-GDi) engines are available in the refreshed XCeed line-up. A three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi engine delivers 120 ps and 172 Nm of torque, while a four-cylinder 1.5-litre T-GDi engine produces 160 ps and 253 Nm of torque. A high-power 1.6-litre T-GDi engine, the same unit found in Ceed and ProCeed GT models, is also available for the most powerful XCeed variant. With a 204 ps power output and 265 Nm of torque across a broad range of engine speeds, the muscular 1.6-litre T-GDi engine perfectly matches the car’s ability to thrive in a variety of driving situations. It can accelerate from 0-to-100 kph in 7.5 seconds when equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The new XCeed is also available with a frugal diesel mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) powertrain. This 1.6-litre diesel engine can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission to deliver 136 ps and 280 Nm of torque, or 320 Nm with the seven-speed dual-clutch version.
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain option is once again available in the new XCeed, combining an 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, a 44.5 kW electric motor, and an efficient 1.6-litre ‘Kappa’ four-cylinder GDI engine. Paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (6DCT), the PHEV transmits up to 141 ps and 265 Nm to the front wheels, while drivers will also benefit from an all-electric range of 48km, equating to 60km of city driving. This will enable drivers to complete the majority of daily drives and short commutes solely on electric power.
The six-speed manual gearbox is available on the 1.0- and 1.5-litre petrol variants along with 1.6-litre diesel models, while the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is a choice for the 1.5-litre T-GDi, 1.6-litre T-GDi and 1.6-litre diesel versions. The XCeed plug-in hybrid 1.6-litre model is only available with the six-speed dual-clutch box.
The new vehicle’s 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system features Bluetooth multi-connection as standard, enabling occupants to connect two mobile devices at once, while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality are also standard. Depending on vehicle specification, XCeed users can also choose between a 5.0-inch DAB-radio system or an 8.0-inch audio display touchscreen system featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Drivers can opt for a fully-digital 12.3-inch Supervision instrument cluster that benefits from a number of new graphical themes which alter in response to the selected driving mode; 'Eco', ‘Normal’ or ‘Sport’. With a high-definition 1920x720 digital display, vehicle and engine speed dials are displayed in pin-sharp clarity, while a multi-function display communicates turn-by-turn navigation instructions, audio information, in-depth trip information, vehicle diagnostics alerts and pop-up notifications linked to the car’s various active safety and driver-assist technologies.
Other features designed to enhance the enjoyment of each journey include a JBL Premium audio system with Clari-Fi technology, dual-zone air-conditioning, heated electric folding door mirrors, a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen, and heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The new XCeed brings USB Type-C ports for front and rear passengers, while fast-charging capability further enhances convenience on the move.
The new Kia XCeed includes a wide range of active driver-assist and safety technologies to provide ultimate peace of mind and protection. Smart Cruise Control (SCC) is upgraded with the addition of the navigation-related function. Navigation-assisted SCC (NSCC) benefits from an Auto-set function which automatically adjusts the XCeed’s cruising speed according to the maximum set for that road in the navigation’s on-road data system.
As with every Kia sold in Europe, the new XCeed is equipped as standard with Vehicle Stability Management. This aids stability when braking and cornering by controlling the car’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system if it detects any loss of traction.
UK specification, technical information and pricing will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date.
