The Kia XCeed crossover just received some mid-career tiny improvements. They should ensure that  this pretty Korean car remains successful in the second part of its commercial carrer. Fit and finish are very good and it is pleasant to drive. It now features a screen in the dashboard centre as well as a new GT line trim.

The XCeed was launched back in 2019 and we always liked its cool-lokking face. Kia tweaked it slightly for the 2023 model year : there is a redesigned grille, a modified bumper lower part and slightly different headlights. At the rear, the fake diffuser was reworked too and the LED lights feature a new design. Those tweaks look even better on our  GT-Line trim test car, even if it makes do with the less powerful engine in the range.

I like it

Inside, the slightly elevated driving position should appeal to a lot of people. The three-spoke steering wheel falls perfectly in your hand and all controls are quickly mastered. The new Kia XCeed offers new and attractive graphic themes for the 12.3-inch Supervision digital instrument cluster. Its various designs even match the vehicle’s driving modes. Perceived quality is quite good and the sober interior even exudes a classy appearance.

Quite clever

This crossover’s slightly higher stance does not affect its handling, which remains composed and safe whatever you throw at We didn’t really get to grips with the XCeed as the engine was a bit short on power, but it proved to be more than adequate for daily commutes and a few motorway longer journeys. The steering is quite precise and direct, while the brakes are always willing to work. Comfort level is pretty good and worth mentioning. Even more so as the XCeed is part of a crowded segment where quite often firmness seems to be the new benchmark.

I don’t like it

When we discovered the XCeed back in late 2019, we already pointed out that some safety features were quite intrusive. Since then, nothing has changed. A few of them can quickly be deactivated but others will impose to dive into the menus to turn them if you want to drive the car without being disrupted by unexpected beeps or even steering wheel movements.

Why I buy it

The original design ages well and that’s why it’s just been tweaked rather than changed for the 2023 model year. The XCeed provides some driving pleasure thanks to a slightly elevated stance without being some SUV pastiche. It’s a good compromise for those of you who still like to drive a little more dynamically from time to time. Fit and finish is pretty good and the driving position is very nice, making it very pleasant to use.

Why I don’t buy it

It’s hard to find any major flaws. Rear seat space and boot capacity are average. Japanese and Korean cars usually don’t allow buyers to select extras one by one, offering packages instead. Average fuel consumption during our 615 km test was 8.6 l / 100 km. However, with a very light right foot, we managed to get it down to 7.0 l / 100 km ! (Translation: Dimitri Urbain)