Summer was fading into autumn when I took the orange Kia Ceed GT for a spirited drive through the North Palatine Uplands. This lesser-known region of gentle hills and sweeping valley roads in Rhineland-Palatinate offered the perfect terrain to push a car like this to its limits. On the B420, past dry-stone walls and half-timbered villages, the Ceed felt eager. Its revised face gleamed under patches of golden sun, and I was just as curious about what had changed under the surface. It was time to dig deep into the Ceed’s specs and see whether this facelift had more to offer than a fresh front.
The Kia Ceed after the facelift
Kia dropped the apostrophe years ago, turning the c’eed into the Ceed, but with this facelift, the compact hatchback sharpened up once more. Modernized front and rear sections give the car a sleeker look. The GT-line trim especially benefits from distinctive LED signatures and a restyled “tiger nose” grille, Kia’s trademark. But this isn’t just about style: Kia’s latest iteration of the Ceed brings real substance. A 12.3-inch digital cockpit joins a central 10.25-inch touchscreen, and more assistance systems, such as traffic jam assist and improved lane-keeping, aim to make the Ceed even more appealing.
Kia Ceed with 4.32 meters length
At 4.32 meters in length, the Ceed slots perfectly into the compact class. From outside, it gives off a planted, well-proportioned presence. The LED headlights integrate fog lights and triple arrow DRLs, which double as turn signals. At the rear, dynamic LED taillights echo the hexagonal motifs of the Stinger, a tasteful homage. The Ceed GT, in particular, looks the part of a hot hatch without pushing too hard.
In motion through the Uplands, its design doesn’t just turn heads at village squares; it feels aerodynamic and hunkered down on fast, flowing roads.
Interior: Class-typical space
Slide inside, and the Ceed greets you with a cabin that mixes clarity with a touch of flair. The 12.3-inch instrument display is crisp and legible, flanked by easy-to-understand controls. Leather-touch surfaces and well-contoured seats offer a mature, upscale feel. Despite the GT model’s sporty aspirations, it remains practical.
I’m just over 1.85 meters tall, and with the driver’s seat adjusted to my liking, a friend almost 1.90 meters tall sat comfortably behind me. The trunk officially holds 395 liters, though we measured closer to 305 usable liters up to the cover. With the rear seats down, space expands to a respectable 1155 liters. There’s even an extra 15 liters below the floor if you skip the spare tire.
Crisp and comfortable chassis
No adaptive dampers here, yet the Ceed surprises. Kia nailed the setup: balanced, composed, and agile. Through tight bends between Obermoschel and Rockenhausen, the Ceed stayed flat and responsive. It absorbs uneven road patches without fuss while still delivering a connected feel. There’s a sense of polish in how the chassis reacts, not too soft, never crashy. Even the older GT version, with its firmer springs, didn’t rattle the cabin.
It’s on twisty downhill sections that the Ceed truly shines. Tuck into a corner, ease off the gas, and the rear steps out just enough to keep things lively. ESP reins it in before things get silly, but this mild load change behavior is enough to reward the engaged driver without ever feeling unsafe.
T-GDI: Turbo petrol engine with good performance
The 1.5-liter T-GDI mild hybrid I drove delivered 160 hp and 253 Nm of torque, numbers that translate into real on-road punch. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes just 8.4 seconds. What impressed me more was how tractable it felt in day-to-day conditions. Pulling uphill in fourth gear on the long ascent past Falkenstein didn’t require a downshift. The torque spread is generous, and the six-speed manual transmission has been geared smartly.
The shifts are mechanical and satisfying, like a good cable-driven setup should feel. Third gear is your friend on winding country roads, delivering both power and engine braking in just the right balance. Whether overtaking or cruising, the engine always feels like it has something in reserve.
Kia Ceed GT as a guarantee of fun
And then there’s the GT. Now sadly discontinued, it’s still worth talking about. I was lucky enough to get time in the 204 hp 1.6 T-GDI version before its exit from the lineup. With 265 Nm on tap from just 1500 rpm, it punches hard. On a lonely stretch near Imsweiler, I went from 60 to 100 km/h in a blink. Kia quotes 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h, but the in-gear pull is what sticks with me more. Fourth gear, fifth gear, it hauls.
Even more than the straight-line performance, what makes the GT version a riot is the way it pairs that grunt with tight body control and a meaty steering rack. This isn’t a full-blown hot hatch, but it’s a car you can lean on, lap after lap, without it becoming tiresome or twitchy.
The Kia Ceed is not very economical
If there’s one area where the Ceed falls short, it’s fuel economy. During our varied test loop of upland passes, urban detours, and autobahn sprints, I averaged 6.5 to 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers. The ADAC measured 6.3 liters in their Ecotest. Not disastrous, but not best-in-class either. Especially given the mild hybrid setup, you might expect more thrift. Still, for the performance and versatility offered, it’s a compromise I’d personally live with.
Only Kia offers a 7-year warranty
One area where Kia easily bests all competitors is peace of mind. The 7-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty remains unmatched in the industry. That alone speaks volumes about their confidence in quality. For a buyer looking to keep their car for the long haul, this might be the tipping point.
Technical Specification
Technical info is taken directly from Kia’s official website to ensure it’s correct.
| Specification | Kia Ceed 1.5 T-GDI (2022) |
| Engine type | 4-cylinder turbo petrol, mild hybrid |
| Displacement | 1482 cc |
| Power | 160 hp (118 kW) @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 253 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / 7-speed DCT |
| 0-100 km/h | 8.4 seconds |
| Top speed | 210 km/h |
| Fuel consumption (ADAC) | 6.3 l/100 km (EcoTest) |
| CO2 emissions (WLTP) | 133-138 g/km |
| Trunk volume | 395 l / 1155 l (with seats folded) |
| Warranty | 7 years / 150,000 km |
Conclusion
After several days in the North Palatine Uplands with the Kia Ceed, I stepped out genuinely impressed. This isn’t a car that shouts; it’s one that proves its worth quietly and confidently. It offers solid space, well-executed tech, and a driving experience that blends composure with fun. The facelift added visual flair, but the underlying hardware remains solid.
Whether you’re looking for a smart commuter, a practical family hatch, or something that still brings a smile on a Sunday drive, the Ceed has an answer. Especially in GT trim, it’s a car that deserves to be remembered.
Is the Kia Ceed still available with a diesel engine?
No, Kia discontinued the diesel engine in the Ceed range as of late 2023. Current options include petrol and mild hybrid versions only.
How does the Kia Ceed compare in trunk space to the VW Golf?
While official figures suggest the Ceed has 395 liters of trunk space, real-world measurement up to the cargo cover is closer to 305 liters, similar to the Golf class average.
Is the Kia Ceed GT still available as a new car?
No, the Kia Ceed GT with the 204 hp 1.6 T-GDI engine is no longer offered as a new car. It was discontinued in 2023, but well-maintained used models are still available, often with remaining factory warranty.
