In only 15 years, Kia has transformed its exterior design culture from one of often reprehensibly dull conformity to one that must, on occasion, draw envious glances from far more established European players. Quite the same cannot be said for the brand’s interiors but, borrowing heavily from the Ceed, the Xceed’s cabin still shows remarkable improvement, with a standard of perceived quality that must be a source of pride.
Even with some brightly coloured inserts on top-level models, this is a cabin that prizes robustness and sound ergonomics above feeling inviting or lavish. In the front, passenger space is generous and, adhering to the family-car brief, there are good storage options dotted around fittings made from a variety of plastics, some of which are soft to the touch, though many are not.
So far, so Ceed – though the Xceed does come with the option of a new 12.3in TFT instrument binnacle which does its bit to lift the ambience. Uppermost 3 and First Edition specification Xceeds also get Kia’s new 10.25in touchscreen infotainment system as standard, while lower-rung models make do with the 8in unit that appears elsewhere in the Kia range.
