With the ever-popular Sportage and also the Stonic and the Niro in its line-up, Kia is certainly no stranger to taking full advantage of the boom in the crossover market. While it’s not too dissimilar to the Niro in terms of size, the XCeed plugs a narrow gap in the Korean firm’s line-up taking advantage of the Ceed’s huge success with more rugged looks. This Plug-In Hybrid version sits at the top of the XCeed range with the same power combination available in the Sportswagon estate.
Kia XCeed PHEV – Design
As its name suggests, with the XCeed you’re getting essentially exactly what the badge suggests. Like its crossover-lite rivals, this is basically a Ceed hatchback with greater ground clearance, a slightly higher driving position and some cladding around the wheelarches and side sills to give it a more purposeful air.
While purely cosmetic, we actually quite like the look of the XCeed, but it’s that raised driving position that will be crucial for many buyers. It’s not as good as a full-blooded 4×4 of course but it’s noticeably higher than a standard hatchback from behind the wheel.
Kia XCeed PHEV – Power and range
The plug-in hybrid version of the Kia XCeed get a 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with an 8.9kWh battery to give a combined 139bhp via a six-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox. That’s enough to get it from 0 to 60mph in 10.4 seconds and onto a 107mph top speed with an electric-only range of 36 miles and 32g/km emissions.
Kia claims a combined average fuel economy of 201.8mpg, though during the course of our extensive driving, we averaged just over 91mpg which is still pretty respectable.
On a 7kW charger, the XCeed will charge from zero to 100 per cent in 2 hours and 15 mins, while on a domestic three-pin plug (both Type 2 and domestic cables are provided as standard), it takes closer to four hours for a full charge.
Kia XCeed PHEV – On the road
With those numbers above, the XCeed is never going to rival hot hatches for performance and it isn’t that suited for spirited driving. What it is however though, is comfortable and good family motoring and while that twin-clutch gearbox could be a little smoother when cold, it’s well suited to the hybrid power unit.
It’s frustrating that you can’t adapt the level of regenerative braking with paddles behind the steering wheel although you can regulate it via the brake pedal. What is very impressive is that the XCeed’s 36 mile all-electric range is pretty truthful too. It does drop to 33 miles during colder weather, but unless driving particularly rigorously, then you’re likely to get close to that.
In fact, the hybrid powertrain is particularly good at constantly eeking out any harvested battery power when you’ve run that down too. On the trip computer, even when the hybrid battery was showing as completely flat, we could record 68mpg, which is a rarity among plug-in hybrids and almost better than most modern diesels.
It shuts the engine down at any opportunity and any energy from braking is used again as soon as possible. That constant ebb and flow aiding that eventual fuel economy. That’s just as well too as the fuel tank is reduced from 50 litres down to 37, so you get through a tank fast on longer journeys.
Kia XCeed PHEV – Interior
The XCeed’s interior is never going to worry Audi or Mercedes for its soft-touch plastic and high-level feel, but it’s functional and, crucially, it’s intuitive and it works well. That might sound obvious, but that’s not always the case and it seems to be a perfect case of Kia knowing its market and its customers.
Frustratingly though, while the Kia’s infotainment system works well for Apple Carplay, it won’t link up via the USB port to a traditional iPod to listen music.
The heated seats and heated steering wheel got plenty of use during our colder times with the car, while there’s enough head and legroom in the back for adults. On a more practical front, the rear Isofix mounts have neat flip up covers to avoid them filling with dust and crumbs when not in use, while there’s a reduced 291 litre boot (down from 426 litres) which can be frustratingly small for a family car on occasion but not the end of the world.
Kia XCeed PHEV – Summary
It would be quite easy to criticise the Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid for not being particularly fast or much of a driver’s car, but that would be to miss the point. As the crossover market expands, these quasi crossover hatchbacks are becoming increasingly popular (see also Ford’s Active models).
We realise they won’t be everyone’s cup of PG (and the same goes for plug-in hybrids generally), but the XCeed will gain plenty of fans for its low running costs (under the right circumstances), it’s good, comfortable driving manners and reasonable practicality. It’s a valuable member of Kia’s electrified line-up that more justifies its existence.
Fact box
Model: Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid
On sale: now
Price: from £30,905
Power: Petrol – 1.6-litre; Battery – 8.9kWh
Electric range: 36 miles
Average fuel consumption: 201.8mpg
CO2 emissions: 32g/km
Rating: 8/10