Kia Xceed Hatchback

• Body Glass
  • All-round Electric Windows with Auto Up & Down Function
  • Automatic defog system
  • Heated rear window with timer
  • Privacy glass - Rear windows and tailgate
  • Rain sensing front wipers
  • Rear wiper
  • Tinted glass
  • Variable front intermittent wipers
  • Windscreen Washer Level Warning
• Brakes
  • ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Electronic stability control (ESC) and vehicle stability management (VSM)
  • Hill start assist control (HAC)
  • Traction control
• Communication
  • Android auto with voice control
  • Apple car play with voice control
  • Bluetooth with Voice Recognition & Music Streaming
• Driver Aids
  • Drive mode selector
  • Driver attention warning
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) - City/Pedestrian/Cyclist
  • Lane Following Assist (LFA)
  • Lane keep assist
  • Motor driven power steering
  • Rear parking sensor
  • Reversing camera with dynamic guide lines
  • Smart cruise control with stop and go functionality
• Driver Convenience
  • Tailgate
• Driver Information
  • 10.25" touchscreen satellite navigation with telematics
  • 4.2" supervision colour cluster display
  • Emergency call service
  • Trip computer
• Driving Mirrors
  • Auto dimming rear view mirror
  • Body coloured door mirrors with matt black lower housing
  • Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicator lights
  • Wide view drivers door mirror
• Engine
  • Intelligent Stop and Go
• Entertainment
  • 1x Rear USB-C
  • 2x Front USB (1x USB-C, 1x USB-A)
  • 7 speakers
  • DAB Radio with MP3
  • Rear console USB C-type charge port
  • Steering wheel mounted controls
• Exterior Body Features
  • Black chrome and satin chrome closed radiator grille
  • Black side sill mouldings with chrome inserts
  • Black wheel arch trim
  • Body colour bumpers
  • Body colour exterior door handles
  • Body colour rear spoiler
  • Body coloured shark fin antenna
  • High glossy black and satin chrome rear skid plate
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Satin chrome window surround
  • Silver roof rails
  • Smaller XCeed badge on rear left hand tailgate
• Exterior Lights
  • Automatic headlights
  • High beam assist
  • LED Bi-Function projection headlights
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED front fog lights
  • LED High-mounted Brake Light
  • LED rear fog light
  • LED rear lights
• Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
  • Dual zone automatic air conditioning
• Interior Features
  • Centre Console with Storage Box and Sliding Armrest
  • Chrome interior door handles
  • Cloth/faux leather upholstery
  • Cupholders in centre console
  • Driver and passenger front seat pockets
  • Faux leather door trim
  • Front and luggage area 12V power sockets
  • Front and rear door storage
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Leather steering wheel and faux leather gearshift
  • Luggage area parcel shelf
  • Luggage hooks
  • Rear cabin light
  • Rear centre armrest with cupholders
  • Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel
• Interior Lights
  • Front cabin map light with sunglasses case
  • Luggage area light
• Packs
  • Towing pack - XCeed
• Safety
  • All round 3-point seatbelts
  • Dual horn
  • Front passenger airbag cut off switch
  • Height adjustable front seatbelts
  • Impact sensing auto door unlocking
  • Rear door child safety locks
  • Seatbelt reminder warning
  • Twin curtain airbags
  • Twin front airbags
  • Twin front side airbags
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Seats
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat
  • All-round height adjustable headrests
  • Driver + front passenger electric lumbar support
  • Driver's seat height adjuster
  • Front Passenger Seat Height Adjuster
  • Heated front seats
  • ISOFIX Child seat top tethers and anchor fixings
  • Single front passenger seat
• Security
  • Alarm system
  • Engine Immobiliser & Deadlocks
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • Smart key with engine start/stop button
• Vanity Mirrors
  • Illuminated driver and front passenger sunvisors with vanity mirror
• Wheels - Alloy
  • 16" PHEV alloy wheels
• Wheels - Spare
  • Tyre mobility kit

• Electric Vehicle Data
  • Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 8.9
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 129
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 3.3
  • Battery Leased: No
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear
  • Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2
  • Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 3.3
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100,000
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 7
  • Usable Battery Capacity:
  • WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 12.3
  • WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 5.1
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - City: 59
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 48
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - City: 36.6
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 29.8
• Emissions - ICE
  • CO: 0.064
  • CO2 (g/km): 32
  • HC: 0.015
  • HC+NOx:
  • Noise Level dB(A): 67
  • NOx: 0.008
  • Particles: 0.0001
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
• Emissions - PHEV
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 32
• Engine and Drive Train
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Catalytic Convertor: Yes
  • CC: 1,580
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION
  • Gears: 6 SPEED
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
• Fuel Consumption - ICE
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: No
• Fuel Consumption - PHEV
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 1.4
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 201.7
• General
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: Yes
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.6
  • Badge Power: 139
  • Based On ID:
  • Coin Description: GDi
  • Coin Series: 3
  • Generation Mark: 3
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 12E
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:
  • NCAP Safety Assist %:
  • Safety Concerns?: No
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12
  • Service Interval Mileage: 10,000
  • Special Edition: No
  • Special Order: No
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100,000
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 7
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months:
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage:
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
• Performance
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): Yes
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.6
  • Engine Power - BHP: 139
  • Engine Power - KW: 104
  • Engine Power - PS: No
  • Engine Power - RPM: 4,000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 108
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 15
  • Engine Torque - NM: 147
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 4000
  • Top Speed: 99
• Test Cycles
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
• Tyres
  • Alloys?: Yes
  • Space Saver?: No
  • Tyre Size Front: 205/60 R16
  • Tyre Size Rear: 205/60 R16
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: N
  • Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY
• Vehicle Dimensions
  • Height: 1,478
  • Height (including roof rails): 1,483
  • Length: 4,395
  • Wheelbase: 2,650
  • Width: 1826
  • Width (including mirrors):
• Weight and Capacities
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 37
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,030
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1243
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 291
  • Max. Loading Weight: 436
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1,300
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 600
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1,594
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.6

Ten Second Review
Kia's XCeed PHEV delivers plug-in hybrid technology to the mainstream part of the mid-sized SUV segment - and that's still a relatively rare thing in this class. There are the usual plug-in model draws here - a fantasyland official fuel figure, a tax-busting CO2 reading and a 36 mile WLTP electrified driving range. But as usual, there's a premium price to pay for the technology and packaging compromises to make.

Background
Where other brands are struggling to bring any Plug-in hybrid models to the volume part of the 'Qashqai-class' SUV 'C'-segment, Kia offers two, PHEV versions of the Niro and, as in this case, the XCeed crossover. Both use the same powertrain we first saw in the Hyundai IONIQ back in 2018, notably chiefly because, unlike other compact plug-in cars, it uses a conventional dual clutch automatic gearbox, rather than a 'rubber band' e-CVT set-up. To opt for the PHEV version of this XCeed, you've to accept quite a price premium, a weight penalty and compromises in interior packaging. Can the plug-in drive advantages here compensate? Let's find out.

Driving Experience
This XCeed PHEV uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine which works in tandem with an 8.9kWh lithium-ion battery mated to a 44.5kW electric motor. The powertrain's total power and torque output are figures are 139bhp and 265Nm - which aren't huge figures given that the plug-in system adds 115kgs of extra weight. Which is why this car won't feel especially quick; even if you select the available 'Sport' drive mode, 62mph from rest still takes 10.6s and top speed is just 99mph. But all may be forgiven if you're able to take regular advantage of this car's all-electric fuel-free driving range - WLTP rated at 36 miles. Kia claims that this XCeed will be able to get closer more regularly to this figure than some other PHEVs for two reasons. The first is the provision of a particularly effective regenerative braking system for harvesting kinetic energy and charging the battery. The second is the use of a dual-clutch automatic gearbox with proper mechanical cogs, rather than the usual 'rubber band' e-CVT automatic normally fitted to Plug-in hybrid models. This more conventional auto 'box allows the full output of both the engine and motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission, with minimal loss of energy.

Design and Build
You'd have to be fairly familiar with the standard XCeed to recognise this PHEV version as being in any way visually different. The eagle-eyed will notice this plug-in variant's closed 'tiger-nose' grille at the front (which aids aerodynamic efficiency) and the distinct 'eco plug-in' exterior badges. Plus of course there's the addition of a charging port, integrated into the left front wing of the car. Inside, there's the same driver-oriented dashboard you'd get in any ordinary Ceed variant and this PHEV model offers Kia's latest 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system with the brand's UVO Connect telematics package. The centre-dash display can show relevant information relating to the powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels in the battery and energy usage graphics. The Korean maker claims that the adoption of the PHEV powertrain has had a 'minimal impact' on packaging, but that's not quite true. Most plug-in models manage not to reduce rear seat space over their conventional counterparts but here, the way that the system's battery is located beneath the rear bench pushes the seats slightly up and forward, fractionally reducing leg room. Like virtually all PHEVs, boot space is reduced too - in this case falling by 135-litres to 291-litres - which is not far off the sort of capacity you might get from a supermini.

Market and Model
With the standard '3' trim level most will want, an XCeed PHEV costs from over £30,000. To give you some perspective, that's about £5,000 more than you'd pay for an equivalently-specced 1.4 T-GDi petrol or 1.6 CRDI (134bhp) diesel version of this model. For further perspective, we'll tell you that a Kia Niro PHEV would cost you fractionally either less or fractionally more than this XCeed PHEV, depending on whether you ordered your Niro Plug-in with either '2' or '3'-spec trim. The '3' grade features 16-inch alloy wheels and black cloth seat trim with black faux leather bolsters and powered lumbar support for the front seats. There's also privacy glass, rain sensing front windscreen wipers, a reversing camera, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear parking sensors. Heated front seats and steering wheel are also included, along with a smart entry system and a 10.25-inch centre-dash infotainment screen including satellite navigation. The infotainment system allows smartphone users access to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and it is Bluetooth multi connection-enabled. Safety kit includes Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, a Speed Limit Information Function and 'Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist - City and Pedestrian' autonomous braking.

Cost of Ownership
Let's start with the WLTP-rated fuel and emissions figures you'll need; 201.8mpg on the combined cycle and 32g/km of CO2. In its EV mode, the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is capable of travelling up to 36 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to recharge the battery pack to 100 per cent using a 3.3kW AC charger. Plus your Benefit-in-Kind taxation exposure will fall to just 10%. This PHEV model also features a range of extra functions to enhance usability for owners looking to extract the most out of the electrified powertrain. There's a charging indicator, a visual aid that can tell you that the car is charging or when the battery is fully-charged. Its location on top of the dashboard means drivers can instantly ascertain the car's state of charge at a glance from outside the car (for instance, when it is parked on the driveway at home and the owner hasn't left the house yet). The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system incorporates extra functionality to help owners locate available charging points in their vicinity, or en route to their navigation destination. Owners can also use the touchscreen system to schedule when their vehicle should charge when plugged in at home, enabling owners to take advantage of cheaper off-peak energy tariffs, if available. As usual with Kia, there's a 7 year or 100,000 mile warranty which, since it can be passed from owner to owner, should help the impressively strong residual values. You might want to note that roadside assistance cover is limited to one year, but you do get a long 12 year bodywork warranty.

Summary
It made no sense for Kia not to offer XCeed buyers this PHEV powertrain, having already developed it for the Niro, which in turn borrowed it from its cousin, the Hyundai IONIQ. Whether though, the plug-in set-up will make quite as much sense as an option at the top of the XCeed range is another question. Some things about this PHEV model's engineering set standards for other brands - like the move away from baulky CVT transmission to a smoother conventional auto gearbox. And some things don't - like the compromises in rear passenger comfort and boot space. Of course, if the substantial BiK tax savings that'll come with XCeed PHEV ownership attract you, then a few small practicality compromises might not matter. If the finance deal is right, you might not even care too much about this variant's premium price tag. But we still think that there's room for improvement here. And if Kia's meteoric rise over the last decade has taught us anything, it's that we won't have to wait too long to get it.