2019 Kia Ceed unveiled ahead of Geneva debut

The next generation of Kia’s small car products has finally been revealed, with the 2019 Kia Ceed to be launched at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Following in the footsteps of the recently revealed Cerato sedan, the Ceed hatchback sits much closer to its sedan equivalent.

Previously, the Cerato sedan was aimed at American markets, and the Ceed at European markets, but it appears that the Cerato may take the sedan route and the Ceed the hatchback route – and the Ceed may make it to Australia badged as a Cerato hatchback.

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, comments: “The Kia Ceed has been a lynchpin in the brand’s consistent growth across Europe for more than a decade. Created for European buyers, the introduction of the Ceed in 2006 represented a watershed moment for Kia.

“Building on these solid foundations, the all-new Ceed offers a truly contemporary and recognisable design, and advanced technologies to enhance comfort, convenience and safety. Its new engines and suspension will make it more enjoyable and engaging to drive, and will continue to offer the same high quality that customers expect from Kia. This will be one of the most innovative cars in its class.”

Like the two previous generations of the nameplate, the 2019 Kia Ceed is styled more towards European buyers than the Cerato. For the new generation of the car, this means that it’s far more angular and aggressive than before, with a wide front air intake mouth, slim headlights and a raked windscreen giving a sportier look than before. The side profile of the car has been slimmed down thanks to a lower overall height, and the long silhouette gives more of a wagon-like styling aesthetic – this will make the style transition for the forthcoming wagon version easier and less expensive for Kia.

The interior of the 2019 Kia Ceed follows a similar approach to the Cerato, with a much sleeker dashboard design. Whilst the sweeping chrome beltline of the Cerato hasn’t been included on the Ceed, it follows the same tablet-like design trait of many automakers with a screen mounted on top of the dashboard. Whilst the screen design is new, the software appears to follow that of other Kia and Hyundai products, albeit with newer graphics.

The Ceed’s interior also appears to be a step up in quality, with perforated leather upholstery with contrasting piping, brushed metal grab handles and a piano black centre console making it look higher quality than the i30 that shares its platform.

Sitting on Kia’s new K2 platform, the new generation 2018 Kia Ceed is both lower, wider and more spacious than the model it replaces. Its 2,650mm wheelbase is identical to the previous model, and the Hyundai i30 that shares its platform – its 395-litre bootspace is identical as well. The Ceed’s 1,800mm width and 1,430mm height makes it 5mm wider and 2mm taller than the i30.

The engine range offered in the Ceed is similar to that of the European-specification i30, with a new 88kW/170Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine offered at base level, and a new 103/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder sitting above it. Diesel options are a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder option in either 85kW or 100kW power outputs, both with 280Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual, or on diesel and 1.4-litre turbo petrol options, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that’s currently offered in the i30 in Australia.

Accompanying the new engine range is a wider range of available equipment, including all-LED lighting with Kia’s ‘ice cube’ LED daytime running lights, a heated windscreen, wireless phone charging, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, as well as an optioned Eco Pack, with an active opening and closing grille, lower resistance tyres and lower suspension with underbody covers.

A big boost to the Ceed’s active safety equipment is also noticeable, with standard equipment including forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, driver attention warning, automatic high beam lighting and lane keep assist. The Ceed will also be available with lane following assist, which is Kia’s first implementation of level two autonomous driving technology – the system tracks the vehicles in front of it, as well as lane markings, and will change lanes for the driver. Also available is blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, automatic parking, radar cruise control with stop and go and pedestrian detection for the AEB system.

The 2019 Kia Ceed will be launched at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, with Kia Australia yet to confirm what small car approach they will take for our market. Though the Cerato sedan is confirmed for a mid-2018 launch, the hatchback equivalent – which could see the Ceed imported and badged with either nameplate, or a dedicated Cerato hatchback as in the past – due by the end of the year. Whichever ends up being imported, expect the same 2.0-litre petrol engine as the current i30 and Cerato, with a hotter GT expected with the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine from the i30 SR.

Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for news and reviews regarding the Kia range.