Watch out for the updated and upgraded Kia Ceed

General Guides  New Launches 

When you spend your days thinking about the latest cars from every manufacturer under the sun, it's far too easy to get carried away with power and handling and exotic styling touches.

That's fine for the millionaires of this world, but for us normal folk it's things like affordability, reliability, comfort, practicality, that are really important. That's why you should stop trying to decide what to lease next, and just get a Kia Ceed.

Kia's best-selling Ceed range has received a range of enhancements for 2021, with new exterior touches, a new interior, upgraded technology, added safety systems, and an updated range of efficient engine options.

The Ceed family offers one of the most comprehensive line-ups on the market, and the fact it's still an important model in the Kia range highlights its ongoing appeal and reputation. All three versions of the Ceed - five-door hatchback, Sportswagon estate and ProCeed shooting brake - will feature an entirely redesigned front-end, sporty updates to the rear, restyled alloys and refreshed body colours and interior when the new models hit the road at the end of the year.

A completely redesigned front end features Kia's new logo, and the iconic tiger-nose grille is upgraded to a black gloss finish with satin chrome trim for a sleek and modern appearance. Two large side air intakes shoot through the front bumper creating the sportier look, with a new black diffuser added to the rear bumper, which also echoes the satin chrome finish seen at the front of the car.





New headlamp designs have been introduced on all Ceed models, with full LED headlamps on ProCeed ‘GT-Line S' and ‘GT' versions featuring daytime running lights. GT-Line variants of the five-door hatch gain newly designed LED combination lamps featuring 48 honeycomb-shaped modules surrounded by a red frame. The multi-functional lamps feature rows of LEDs that light up sequentially when the driver uses the turn signals.

Six styles of alloy wheels complete the new look, three of which have been launched for the first time with this latest update: 16-inch alloys finished in silver; glossy black 17-inch alloy rims available exclusively on the GT-Line; and super sporty 18-inch alloys with red accents for GT variants.

The ProCeed GT gets a few model-specific updates, including vibrant red accents at the front, side, and rear to highlight the car's sporting prowess. The signature tiger-nose grille on this range-topping model boasts a distinctive glossy black and red finish with dark chrome upper and lower trim. The sporty rear diffuser is accented by round dual exhaust tips and the distinctive new red trim. The GT now sits on 18-inch dark metal alloys in a dedicated GT design with unique red wheel caps.

It's much the same story on the inside

A modern premium interior with soothing colours, tactile materials, a practical layout, and a panoramic sunroof to provide lots of light and create a greater sense of space for the occupants. Seats are available in nine upholstery finishes, including the black suede leather bucket seats with contrasting edge stitching in grey on GT Line and signature red on GT models. Depending on vehicle specification, heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats, provide comfort on traditional British days, while dual-zone auto air conditioning keeps the cabin cool when we get another one of those heatwaves.

For ProCeed GT-Line S models, a large 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen is paired with a 10.25-inch screen to ease driver interaction with the vehicle. The infotainment navigation screen is paired to a JBL Premium eight-speaker sound system with Bluetooth connectivity.

On Sportswagon and ProCeed models, other features include second-row seats which fold at the touch of a button, and a smart power tailgate which detects the presence of the smart key and opens the tailgate if the person carrying the key remains behind the vehicle.

Safety features have also been improved

If there is a risk of collision when turning, the new Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) will provide a warning, and if the risk of collision increases will actively control the vehicle to help avoid a collision. Driver Attention Warning (DAW+) has also been updated to provide a visual alert on the screen to inform the driver that the vehicle in front is driving away, such as at traffic lights or in slow-moving traffic.

Other features that continue to be available on the Ceed range include Forward collision-avoidance assist (FCA); Lane Keep Assist; Intelligent Speed Limit Warning; Manual Speed Limit Assist and High Beam Assist.

Parking manoeuvres are also easier with the addition of a Rear-View Monitor (RVM) with a switch to display the rear tailgate camera. This has now been developed further to provide an additional view via the 1.0-megapixel camera should you find yourself with a need to attach a trailer or caravan to the car.

Upgrades powered by a new range of powertrains

The new Ceed range provides a comprehensive choice of powertrain configurations, with horsepower ranging from 99bhp to 201bhp. Kia is offering a choice of turbocharged petrol and diesel options, with the 1.0- and 1.5-litre petrol and the 1.6-litre diesel powertrains, all benefiting from Kia's Smartstream technology that improves efficiency.

The new 158bhp, 1.5-litre T-GDi engine replaces the previous 1.4-litre T-GDi and is paired either to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. Diesel 1.6-litre variants of the Ceed, delivering 134bhp, are only available as a mild-hybrid, with the choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed automatic.

GT models are fitted with an exclusive 1.6-litre T-GDi connected to the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and delivering a highly respectable 201bhp. The experience behind the wheel can be further suited to the driver's mood and road conditions via paddle-shift levers and three drive modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport modes. These modes tailor throttle response, steering weight, and transmission shift times to match the desired driving experience.

The renewed Ceed family will go into production sometime this August and will be available by the end of the year. That gives you about two months to do your research and confirm it's your best lease option , and still have plenty of time to give us a call so we can get your name on the list for a brand-new Kia Ceed.

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