Test Kia XCeed 1.6 CRDi MHEV 136 CV GT Line (with video)

El Let's XCeed has a fundamental weight for the brand Kia in Spain, since it is his second best selling model In our country. Ahead is only the Kia Sportage, as the 2022 registration data has shown. In addition, it is the XCeed is a very sensible product, as we are going to discover along these lines, that it has received a makeover few weeks ago. Its starting price is $22.450.

To assess in depth the changes, improvements and innovations that the Kia XCeed 2023 incorporates, we have taken the wheel of a unit with the new GT-Line trim and the engine 48 volt microhybrid diesel with 136 hp with manual transmission. Yes, a diesel, because despite how criticized this fuel has been lately, it continues to be an ideal option for many drivers.

Kia XCeed, a crossover derived from the Ceed that the public likes a lot

As I was saying, this 2023 Kia XCeed that we tested comes with the GT-Line finish, which is the top of the range and the one that shows a slightly sportier aesthetic for the compact crossover. In addition, it is new and has just landed with the recent restyling. Needless to say, it derives directly from Ceed 5 doors.

How can we differentiate this equipment from the rest? Well, mainly for the bumper more marked with a specific grille and diffuser, due to the black mirrors, some chrome details, the standard panoramic roof or by the inch wheels 18. Headlights have been revised across the range.

One of the novelties that I like the most is the new style of the LED taillights, which seem very personal to me and come with sequential flashers. I also think the lower diffuser in the color of the bodywork is a success. I am less convinced that we do not have real escape exits in sight.

By the way, body dimensions They are 4,4 meters long, 1,83 wide and 1,49 high, with a wheelbase of 2,65 meters. The trunk capacity varies between 426 and 291 liters, depending on the mechanics.

An interior with many lights and only a shadow

There are no huge changes to the interior; but that's not a bad sign. As far as screens are concerned, in this finish we have a 12,3 inch digital picture with fair, correct and precise information, being able to choose between three different display themes.

The central screen is also large, with 10,25 inches and touch, including navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is easily controlled, it is intuitive, it is well structured and, best of all, it does not integrate the air conditioner, since it is managed from some practical wheels and buttons. A success from which many brands would have to learn.

As we are with the GT-Line finish, which is the top of the range, we have some sporty aesthetic touches. For example, the perforated steering wheel slightly flattened below, the knob also with racing look Or the seats. To tell the truth, they have nothing to do with buckets, but they are quite comfortable and have the correct support, although they could be a little better to the touch.

Very good materials in general

As far as materials and adjustments are concerned, the truth is that it has absolutely nothing to envy anyone. The upper and middle part of the dashboard has a fantastic touch, with a very pleasant padding. This is also the case in some areas of the doors. In other areas they are hard plastic, but with a good touch and with perfect adjustments. Not a single creak. Fine! The only thing that can be improved is the use of glossy black -or Piano Black- on the center console, which with only 5.000 kilometers on the car is already quite scratched.

To cite other details, we have adjustable central armrest with internal recess, several compartments to leave objects and hide them, as well as a mobile charging tray. Of course, this wireless charging surface can be improved, because if we have a slightly large phone it does not fit correctly.

Correct rear seats for two adults

As for the later squares, the space is correct for two medium-sized adults to travel with enough comfort. They are not the best in terms of legroom, but in my case, with a height of 1,76 and the front seat adjusted to my size, I have three or four fingers of margin to touch the knees. Of course, due to the shape of the roof and its width, three occupants will feel cramped, as is logical in a compact car.

For the rest, we have good upholstery also here behind, compartments in the doors to place a bottle, a central armrest with two holes for drinks, hooks on the sides of the roof to hang a shirt and central air vents next to a USB Type-C socket.

A trunk in the category average

For its part, the cargo capacity of the Kia XCeed has not changed with this update. Still cubing the same volume, which is 426 liters in conventional mechanical versions, 380 liters in the microhybrids and 291 in the case of the plug-in hybrid. In our case, we are testing a microhybrid, so we have 380 liters which is a very correct capacity, in the middle of the segment, and with a fairly usable lower gap.

From 120 to 204 HP, all available engines

As I told you before, there are normal mechanical versions -without any type of electrification-, micro-hybrids and plug-in hybrids. The powers range from 120 to 204 CV.

Without electrical support and with environmental label C we have the 1.0 three-cylinder turbo gasoline with 120 CV and manual change; in addition to a spicy 1.6 turbo four-cylinder that develops nothing less than 204 CV, always with double clutch change.

If we look for the eco label, we have many options. As microhybrids are the 1.5 MHEV of gasoline with 160 CV and diesel, a 1.600 of 136 CV. Even being light hybrids, they can carry both manual and dual-clutch gearboxes.

Finally, if we want the Zero emissions sticker, with the added advantages that this entails, is the 1.6 PHEV -plug-in hybrid- 141 CV always with automatic double-clutch transmission, offering an approved autonomy in electric mode of 48 up to kilometers.

In our case we are testing the diesel, that although lately it has been seen a bit regular, it is still an interesting alternative for those who do many kilometers throughout the year. This 1.600 CRDi, which as I said before is microhybrid and has an Eco label, develops 136 CV and is offered with both manual and dual-clutch transmission. In our case it is manual and develops 280 Nm.

Behind the wheel of the Kia XCeed GT-Line

We started this driving section and the first thing I must admit is that from minute 1 I felt very comfortable with this car. Mainly because I hardly notice any differences in the driving position compared to a normal Ceed. I'm just going a bit higher, but we're much closer to a compact than an SUV, and I personally like that a lot.

The downside is that, due to the rear shape of the body, rear visibility is reduced. This will be noticeable on the road and when manoeuvring, but luckily in this finish we have blind spot sensors, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, which reduces this vision deficit.

Great comfort thanks to its suspension with hydraulic stops

As far as driving is concerned, without a doubt, A very good point of this car is the comfort provided by its suspension. Every Kia XCeed comes with hydraulic stops in the front suspension, which softens the movements and improves comfort, especially when going over bumps or when driving on roads or cobbled areas, like the ones I'm going through right now.

Kia says the springs are 7% softer at the front and 4% at the rear. This, together with the greater free height of the body, could make us imagine that it is not the most dynamic car when approaching the curves. However, the feeling behind the wheel is very different, because It obeys perfectly, it is fast enough in the changes of support and does not present notable swaying if we do aggressive driving.

And since we've talked about driving styles, on the center console we have a button to manage three driving modes. Eco, Normal and Sport. I think it is not necessary to describe them much, but I do want to mention that in Eco mode the diesel engine is capable of going into standby mode or even shutting down on its own with gear engaged and moving, taking advantage of the vehicle's inertia to save a few drops of fuel. This is not very common in cars with manual transmission.

This is how the 136 HP Mild Hybrid diesel engine behaves in the Kia XCeed

What can we say about the diesel engine? Well, the first and most important thing is that it seems to me good news that some brands continue to offer diesel mechanics. Why? Well, because there are still many people who do many kilometers throughout the year and that these engines are the ones for them.

In this case, furthermore, we have microhybridization at 48 V, so it is not only more efficient, but we also have the advantage of having the much sought after on the windshield DGT Eco sticker.

Regarding the operation itself, the only drawback of this diesel is that it's a bit noisy cold and relatively strong acceleration, but the truth is that it does not transmit vibrations to the interior and on the road, at sustained speeds, that sound disappears. It also offers a generous torque and the response is quite energetic. If you don't do many kilometers a year and want medium power, there are the 120 and 160 hp gasoline versions, with the Eco label also for the latter, for the 160.

improved driving aids

Another very important issue driving aids have improved with this restyling. The developments in the safety and driving assistance section are interesting. For example, we can now have intelligent cruise control based on navigation data, recognizing the speed limits of the road or the curves that we are approaching. It also comes with blind spot control with sound and visual alerts and even brake touches to alert us if necessary or rear cross traffic alert among other security systems.

Consumption

Ok, and what about consumption. Well, this Kia XCeed GT-Line with a 136 hp diesel engine and micro-hybrid system is content with little. on highway at 120 km/h we will be around 5,5 or 5,7 l/100km, which is very good information. Meanwhile, in the city driving we will move around 6,5 liters, always depending on how heavy our foot is, the traffic and the orography, of course, but it never goes off. By last, The average consumption of this entire week of tests, using the car for everything, has been 5,7 liters.

Conclusions

And given all of the above, let's go with the summary. The Kia XCeed It seems to me a very round and sensible product. It has an aesthetic that the European public likes a lot, it offers a wide mechanical variety, it is comfortable, the interior quality to the touch and in technology is really good and in several details it is above the European brands.

What could improve? Well, as far as the diesel engine is concerned, the only thing is the sound. For the rest, rear visibility is not very good and, from my point of view, the lumbar adjustment in the front seats is missing; Although this can be solved with a package that adds it along with electrical adjustments and heating. Needless to say, the glossy black plastic inside is also an aspect that I didn't like at all.

As I said at the beginning, its starting price is 22.450 euros according to the configurator. Of course, our unit comes with the top-of-the-range GT-Line finish and the diesel engine, raising the price to 31.568 euros. Honestly, and always taking current market prices into account, it doesn't seem like a high amount for such a complete car. Below you have all the equipment and prices of all available versions.

Kia XCeed equipment

Concept

• 16-inch wheels
• puncture repair kit
• Fatigue detection system
• Emergency brake assistant with pedestrian detection
• automatic road lights
• LED headlights with integrated fog lights
• Roof bars
• Chrome interior handles
• Instrument panel with 4,2-inch screen
• 5-inch screen on the dashboard for audio equipment
• Fabric upholstery
• Cruise control
• Lane Following Assist
• Power windows on all four doors
• Air Conditioning
• USB port and USB Type-C charger

Drive (add)

• Driving mode selector (in MHEV and DCT versions)
• 8-inch in-dash screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Reversing camera
• rear parking sensors

Tech (add)

• Electric parking brake
• 18-inch wheels
• Folding exterior mirrors with built-in indicator
• Electrochromic interior mirror
• 10,25-inch screen with browser
• Upholstery Tech
• Adaptive cruise control
• Height adjustable passenger seat
• Rain Sensor

GT-Line (add)

• blind spot sensor
• speed limit recognition
• Rear Cross Traffic Prevention Assist
• Safe vehicle exit alert
• Panoramic ceiling
• Exterior mirrors with black housing
• darkened moons
• sports pedals
• 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster
• GT-Line upholstery
• Smart key with push button start
• Front parking sensors
• automatic parking
• Wireless charger

2023 Kia XCeed Prices

Editor's opinion

Kia XCeed Gallery