Kia Xceed 2019 review

It’s the same under the longer bonnet, with the choice of two petrol engines (turbocharged 1.0-litre or 1.4-litre units, the latter expected to be the biggest seller in the UK) and a single 1.6-litre CRDi diesel, all of which will be familiar to Ceed owners. As are the six-speed manual and seven-speed twin-clutch gearboxes, both of which drive the front wheels. The fitment of either Michelin (17in) or Continential (18in) summer rubber also confirms the Xceed’s road focus - it might look the part as an off-roader, but heading off the beaten track is not part of this car’s remit.

Inside, the Ceed theme continues as the dashboard and various fixtures and fittings are carried over wholesale, meaning a well-laid-out design but one without much in the way of flair - brightly coloured trim inserts aside. The only new features are infotainment related, with a crisp 12.3in configurable TFT instrument cluster available that Kia has named Supervision (a name that conjures up Gerry Anderson era Thunderbirds) and a new 10.25in multimedia touchscreen. This features crisp graphics, a customisable interface and a seven-year subscription to its connected services.

Arguably what’s most interesting about the Xceed is that Kia forecasts it to be the biggest seller in the Ceed line-up, finding more homes than the standard car, the Proceed coupé and Sportswagon estate.

That said, with 178lb ft of torque at 1500rpm, this isn’t an engine you need to work hard, which is a good thing because it feels a little flat beyond 4000rpm, where there's little in the way of meaningful acceleration. Performance is brisk enough on the road and, if you make use of the reasonably precise six-speed manual gearbox to shift up early and surf the turbocharged torque, the Xceed is a reasonably effortless performer, mushy clutch action aside.

Of course, this isn’t a car that’s going to get you hot under the collar at the first hint of a corner, but it’s far better than you’d think. There’s a fluency to the chassis as it carves through corners with impressive poise, and its electrically assisted steering has been recalibrated for quicker response and provides a feeling of keen agility as you pitch the Xceed into a bend. It doesn't offer much in the way of feel, but it delivers decent weight and natural rate of response as you wind lock on.

There’s a fraction more body roll than in a standard Ceed, but the front clings on gamely and there’s a satisfying sense that the front and rear axles are sharing the load equally as the car slices cleanly through the apex. Get too enthusiastic and the nose will wash wide, the ESP gently chiming as the torque vectoring finally flounders. Up to that point, however, the Kia is surprisingly biddable, feeling more nimble than the higher-riding crossover competition.