The new compact crossover from Kia evolves the XCeed’s look to keep it fresh in a highly competitive class.
These new sketches give us our first indication of what the new 2022 Kia XCeed compact crossover will look like when the car is revealed on the 18 July. Rivalling cars such as the Citroen C4 and Mazda’s CX-30, the new XCeed will feature tweaked design details to give it a sportier look.
This design approach will be backed up by the addition of a new GT-Line trim level to the line-up, Kia has confirmed, while updated exterior styling and an overhauled interior will feature across the range.
Kia has not yet released any sketches of the new XCeed’s cabin. However, we expect the new car to feature the same twin-screen set-up as the brand’s latest Niro – available in either 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch form depending on trim level – as well as Kia’s multi-mode panel that switches between climate and audio controls at the touch of a button.
The XCeed is the best-selling model in the brand’s Ceed family in Europe, which has been designed, engineered and built in Europe. The car’s slightly raised driving position is a big factor in the XCeed’s popularity, and from these early sketches we can see the facelifted car will retain this stance.
Kia says that the arrival of the new, dynamic GT-Line variant “will fuse the adventurous design cues of a crossover with the sporty vibe of a focused European hatchback”. The swept back headlights, chunky air intakes and deep front bumper complete with a silver bash plate-style insert give a hint as to how the production version of the new XCeed will look. At the rear the bumper features a similar insert – this time body coloured – shallow LED light clusters and a sporty spoiler at the top of the tailgate.
Expect similar design cues to the brand’s regular Ceed hatchback that was facelifted in 2021, but unlike that car (and the current XCeed) the new compact crossover will be available with a heavily electrified range of powertrains rather than a pure-petrol line-up that’s offered currently.
Kia has confirmed that the new XCeed will be available in petrol mild-hybrid and petrol plug-in hybrid form. Although the Korean brand has not outlined specifics, the former will use 48-volt technology to give a small electric boost to help improve efficiency.
Sean Carson