Kia’s best-selling XCeed compact crossover has been updated with new sportier exterior styling, enhanced equipment and an additional GT-Line trim. 

The flagship Ceed variant, the XCeed compact crossover has sold over 120,000 units in Europe since its launch in 2019

A vital part of the Ceed line-up, the high-riding crossover has already been a hugely popular car for Kia in the UK, accounting for 10% of the brand’s sales over here. The latest updates will enhance its appeal in a highly competitive market that includes the Citroën C4 and Mazda CX-30 and further highlight its “sporty, urban and adventurous nature”. 

Design changes introduce new LED headlamps and a revised grille, front bumper and air intake design. A fast-sloping roofline leading to the steeply angled fastback tailgate enhances the XCeed’s coupé-like appearance while the rear has been refined with a new diffuser with a gloss black skid plate and a discreet ‘exhaust-look’ design. It also gets a choice of 16- or 18-inch machined aluminium alloy wheels. 

The XCeed also becomes the latest Kia to gain the brand’s GT-line specification, marking it out with a bespoke grille, lower air intake and side bumper cladding, revised dark chrome air curtains, plus new hexagonal shaped LED tail-lights and a sporty lower diffuser plus the larger 18-inch alloy wheels. 

The GT-Line is available exclusively with the most powerful engine; a 204hp 1.6-litre T-GDi engine also seen in the Ceed and ProCeed GT models that delivers 265Nm of torque and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s also available with a six-speed manual. 

Other engines in the XCeed line-up include a 136hp 1.6-litre mild hybrid diesel engine offered in selected markets and with the same transmission choices. The XCeed is also available again with a plug-in hybrid that teams a 61hp electric motor with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 141hp to the front wheels and giving a 30-mile (48km) all-electric range. It’s married up with a six-speed dual-clutch box. 

The XCeed has also been set up for sporty handling with bespoke suspension tuning that’s also said to deliver greater comfort and stability in all conditions. Drivers can also use the Mode Select system to adjust steering weight, throttle pedal response and gear shift responses using ‘Eco’, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes. 

The interior receives new equipment, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system with Bluetooth multi-connection and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality as standard. Options include a fully digital 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Drivers also benefits from enhanced connectivity features including calendar integration through Google or Apple, and the latest version of Kia Connect. 

Other features 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.  

Advanced driver assistance features bring the latest version of Smart Cruise Control with navigation-related function, ‘zone’ capabilities and a new Curve function that uses the navigation data to predict an upcoming bend in the road and react accordingly. 

As with every Kia sold in Europe, the new XCeed is equipped as standard with Vehicle Stability Management and also features Kia’s Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist tech and Driver Attention Warning Plus system to warn of driver fatigue or distraction. 

Further safety features include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision Warning with car and pedestrian detection, Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist and High Beam Assist.  

The new XCeed goes on sale in Europe from September and includes Kia’s usual seven-year, 150,000km warranty. 

UK specification, technical information and pricing will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date.