• Similar interior to the regular Ceed hatchback
• Lots of standard equipment
• Quality finish and user-friendly design

How is the quality and layout?

In our view, Kia has laid-out the XCeed’s dashboard logically. Even the facelifted XCeed still has its climate controls mounted on a physical panel on the centre console rather than buried in a menu in the infotainment system, which instantly makes it far more user-friendly than a vast array of more modern vehicles – including almost everything now built by the Volkswagen Group.

The XCeed isn’t challenging Audi for quality, but there are a few changes over the standard Ceed to make the car feel like a more premium offering. The door cards feel more solid, for example, and there’s a noticeable improvement in the quality of the sound deadening.

It’s certainly a nicer place to be than a Volkswagen T-Roc. Everything within arm’s reach is trimmed in soft-touch materials and all the switchgear feels sturdy. The styling of the cabin hasn’t changed much for the facelift, though – the biggest changes are some different coloured trim pieces.

Infotainment and tech

Little changed on the technology front following the 2022 facelift. The most expensive GT-Line S models are fitted with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment system as before, while the rest of the range combines analogue dials with the same central touchscreen. We’re pleased to report that Kia’s software remains some of the best on the market and is particularly easy to get to grips with.

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It doesn’t have the same breadth of ability the latest Volkswagen systems, but you can still have clever connected features such as live parking availability, real-time petrol pricing and weather forecasting – and access to these add-ons are included for the first seven years at no extra charge. The touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too.

Kia Connect – the firm’s smartphone link – also gives you access to a range of remote functions. For instance, you can lock and unlock the doors, check the tyre pressures and beam navigation instructions from your phone to your car.

GT-Line S models also come with JBL stereo system. It’s a powerful setup which is strong enough to jangle loose items in the door bins. You also get a subwoofer in the boot, which robs a bit of space. But the sound quality is well worth it.

Comfort

• Great driving position
• Supportive seats
• More refined than the regular hatchback

Kia has fitted the XCeed with more sound deadening than the standard hatchback, which dulls more of the road noise, even on when specified with the GT-Line variants that are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels. Don’t get us wrong, it’s not a Rolls-Royce – but it’s more refined than a T-Roc.

We like the seats, too. They’re supportive and they offer a lot of adjustability. There’s also lots of adjustment in the steering wheel, meaning any driver should be able to get comfortable. However, the seats have an unusually shaped headrest (designed to keep your head supported in the event of an accident) that we found can make it difficult to check your mirrors and blind spots.