• Only one engine on offer
• No hot hatch or hybrid offerings
• Ceed isn’t at all bad to drive

Kia Ceed petrol engines

There’s only one engine available in the Ceed and it’s a 1.5-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. A 1.0-litre three-cylinder was available, but it has since been discontinued.

The 1.5-litre unit has plenty of oomph (140hp), meaning it’s suitable if you tend to do a lot of fast cruising or if you simply like having the extra performance in reserve. It’s not a particularly nice-sounding engine, but you won’t need to rev it out unless you’re really trying to beat someone away from the lights. It’s also available with an excellent seven-speed automatic gearbox, which shifts smoothly and doesn’t spoil the Ceed’s fuel economy.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Ceed handles far better than predecessor
• Not particularly exciting to drive…
• … but competent and comfortable

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Driving dynamics aren’t a typical Kia strong point but the Ceed is an exception to that rule. Thanks in no small part to fully independent front and rear suspension as well as being relatively low and wide, the Ceed actually handles corners very well.

Composed when cornering with very well-contained body roll, the Ceed can be quite enjoyable on a twisting B-road. It does tend to isolate the driver from the experience though, thanks to a highly-assisted brake pedal and steering that’s completely remote from what the front wheels are doing. This impression’s heightened in models with the iMT transmission.

The suspension’s been tuned for a nice balance between comfort and handling, though, and the Ceed deals with pockmarked European roads very well. It can feel firm in places but it’s never harsh, and the lack of uncontrolled body movement is actually preferable for passengers who won’t suffer car-sickness so easily.