Kia is Xceed-ingly confusing
THIS week the new Kia Xceed. The first challenge is to work out what it’s meant to be. I had the same problem with the Skoda Kamiq a few months ago: was it a conventional hatchback that sat a little higher off the ground than is normal, or a crossover that was a bit lower?
Are the Kamiq and this new Kia pioneers of yet another variation of the motor car or just a bit confused, odd ones out in families that already have hatchbacks and crossovers in their ranks?
The X in its name points to Kia considering this newcomer to be a crossover that fits somehow between the Ceed hatchback and the Korean company’s compact Stonic crossover.the Xceed is actually based on the Ceed using its entire platform, powertrains, suspension and most of its interior.
Its front doors are exactly the same. Most of the significant changes are to do with styling.the Xceed has its own front and rear ends which add to the overall length and give, according to Kia, a more purposeful look.
The windows are shorter, which has the same effect but at the cost of restricting the view out, reducing the amount of light coming in and generally giving the car a slightly claustrophobic feel in the back.
Getting hold of a test car that isn’t the absolute top specification and crammed with every available option can be a challenge these days but sensibly Kia has £21,045
Petrol – 1.0 118bhp 0 to 60mph in 10.9 seconds, 115mph top speed included some humble versions in its test fleet of Xceeds.while we have driven a fully loaded (to coin an American expression) Xceed that cost only a few quid shy of £30k, we’re going to concentrate on this 1.0 T-GDI ‘2’ version.
It costs £21,045 and represents the sort of value for money that a Kia should – and down at a price point snazzier rivals such as the Audi Q2 can’t compete.
The ‘2’ is the Xceed’s entry-level trim and the engine is the three-cylinder direct-injection 1.0-litre unit that produces 118bhp. Dearer Xceeds have the option of an automatic gearbox; ours has a six-speed manual.
Driving position feels very car-like even though the seat height is higher than it is in the Ceed.the less nimble occupant might find the Xceed easier to get in and out of than the regular hatchback, which could well be about the only logical reason for choosing this car over the former.
The dashboard will be very familiar to those who’ve owned or driven a Ceed. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard, even on this entry-level trim. If you want more driver aids or Kia’s digital instrument panel you’ll need to move up a grade.
Kia says that most Xceed buyers are expected to be Kia virgins and will have to come to this car from other brands. I see no logical reason for that. Perhaps Kia’s marketing department has an answer.
The Xceed is entirely unremarkable to drive.the engine is more than powerful enough and the gearbox is easy to use but there’s quite a big gap between second and third gears which means that you have to rev the engine between the two.
Without doubt this will be to do with the emissions test.your alternative engines are a 1.4-litre petrol – which comes with a double-clutch automatic gearbox – and a diesel engine that’s rather lethargic. A plug-in hybrid Xceed comes next year. There’s little body roll in corners thanks to fairly stiff suspension – too stiff over bumps.when will car manufacturers stop obsessing over “sportiness” and take advantage of modern tyres and sophisticated stability and traction control systems that make cars very capable in corners without having to be overly firm?
Comfort is what matters in family cars. There’s nothing wrong with fitting a car with steering that has plenty of feel yet is light for parking.the Xceed ticks the latter box but doesn’t have much feel.
Narrow windows make the back a bit claustrophobic but there’s adequate legroom for rear passengers and the boot is a sensible size, with useful accessories such as tie-downs and a 12v power socket.
The Kia Xceed is a perfectly acceptable car but although it might sit in a new niche between a hatchback and a crossover, it doesn’t offer anything above either.you get the idea Kia built it simply because it could.
45.6mpg 124g/km Volkswagen T-roc, Mazda CX-30, Skoda Scala
6/10