New 2020 Kia XCeed Unveiled As The Korean Brand’s New CUV For Europe

The all-new Kia Ceed family has become bigger with the introduction of the first-ever XCeed. Billed as a compact crossover, it’s based on the hatchback and looks like a jacked up version of it.

However, that’s not entirely the case because aside from the front doors, every other body panel is new. The vehicle sports longer front and rear overhangs, by 25 and 60 mm (1-2.4 in), respectively, it’s 26 mm (1 in) wider and has an extra 42 mm (1.7 in) of ground clearance compared to the Ceed hatchback. At 2,650 mm (104.3 in) long, the wheelbase remains identical to the rest of the Ceed models.

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The rest of the exterior has been beefed up (visually, at least) with plastic cladding, a more arched roofline behind the B pillars, different lighting units, restyled bumpers, updated grille and silver roof rails. You can choose from 12 exterior colors including the new Quantum Yellow that’s unique to the XCeed, and two wheel sizes: 16- and 18-inch.

The cabin layout has mostly been carried over from the regular Ceed and features soft-touch materials, satin chrome trim and a range of cloth, synthetic leather or genuine leather upholstery. Unique to the Xceed is the new yellow color pack, with a black look all around contrasted by yellow stitching and highlights. Assisting drivers are the 8.0-inch or optionally, 10.25-inch touchscreen displays, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Boot space has increased by 31 liters (1.1 cu-ft) over the hatch, to 426 liters (15 cu-ft) with all seats in place.

Powering the XCeed at launch will be three petrol and two diesel engines. The lineup will include the 1.0-litree, 3-cylinder with 120 PS (118 hp / 88 kW), 1.4-liter 4-cylinder with 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) and the 204 PS (201 hp / 150 kW) 1.6-liter T-GDi found in the GT versions of the Ceed and ProCeed.

The oil burners are represented by the 1.6-liter lump, offered in two outputs: 115 PS (113 hp / 85 kW) and 136 PS (134 hp / 100 kW). All power units, except for the base gasoline, can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Early next year, the engine family will be completed by the 40V mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Like its siblings that lack the X prefix, the XCeed is front-wheel drive. However, it has new hydraulic rebound stoppers and softened springs front and rear, by 7 and 4 percent, respectively. According to Kia, this, along with the new dynamic damper for the rear cross-member, has enhanced cruising comfort. The steering hardware is carried over unchanged.

Kia’s XCeed is limited to the European market, where it will go on sale in the third quarter of 2019. Production will kick off in August at the Zilina factory, in Slovakia, where the Ceed Hatchback, Sportswagon and ProCeed are also being made.