The Kia XCeed compact crossover completes the Ceed range by adding a model in one of Europe's most competitive segments.
Despite the growing number of players in the sector, Kia expects the XCeed to be "among the best performers within the Ceed range" in terms of sales, Kia Product Manager Ioannis Roussis said.
Crossovers and SUVs are increasingly dominant in the compact segment, accounting for 48 percent of all sales of compact-sized cars in Europe in 2018, he said.
Roussis said exterior design is by far the most important feature customers look for in a crossover, with 64 percent of them mentioning it as a purchase factor.
The XCeed is built on the same K2 platform as the hatchback version and it has a sleek, coupe-like look. It is 48mm taller and 85mm longer than the hatchback, but the sister cars have the same wheelbase and the same front doors. Most of the increased height comes from the raised ride position (+20 mm) and larger tires (+17mm).
Kia hopes to sell 45,000 to 50,000 units of the XCeed in Europe over a full year, said Pablo Martinez Masip, who is Kia Europe's director of product management and pricing.
The XCeed will only be sold in Europe.
In this episode of the Ally All Ears podcast, host Emma Hancock interviews Kelly Olson, Senior Director of Operations for SmartAuction at Ally Financial, about the importance of quality control in online wholesale auctions. Olson discusses advancements in online auction platforms, highlighting the importance of detailed condition reports, AI technology for damage detection, and the evolving incorporation of electric vehicle information, all aimed at building trust and reliability for dealers purchasing pre-owned inventory.
European sales of the current three versions of the Ceed were up 39 percent to 63,307 in the first seven months, according to JATO Dynamics.
The XCeed, which will be positioned above the Stonic small crossover and below the Sportage midsize SUV, will compete against rivals such as the Ford Focus Active, Toyota C-HR and Nissan Qashqai.
Kia Europe Chief Operating Officer Emilio Herrera said the XCeed's sporty design makes it more desirable than many taller, larger SUVs without compromising on versatility because of its "intelligent packaging," which "merges the strengths of both hatchback and SUV."
The XCeed offers 426 liters of luggage space, which Kia says is second only to the Nissan Qashqai but beats competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Toyota C-HR and Ford Focus Active.
Interior design options include a 12.3-inch full digital cluster (not configurable by the customer) and a 10.25-inch navigation system. The navigation system includes seven years of Kia connected services.
The Basics
Launch date: September 2019
Base price: 21,390 euros (Germany)
Where built: Zilina, Slovakia
Main rivals: Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Ford Focus Active
Powertrain: The car is offered at launch with four-cylinder gasoline engines offering a range of power: a 1.6 liter with 201 hp; a 1.4 liter with 138 hp; and a 1.0 liter with 118 hp. A 1.6-liter diesel comes with either 113 hp or 134 hp. The 1.0-liter engine is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. Other engines can be coupled either with a six-speed manual or with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Hybrids: Two hybrid powertrains will be available in early 2020. A plug-in hybrid with a total power output of 139 hp. A 48-volt mild hybrid based on the 1.6-liter diesel will offer power outputs of 113 hp and 134 hp.
Safety: The XCeed offers a number of standard safety features such as lane-keeping assist, forward-collision avoidance and driver-attention warning. Smart cruise control, blind-spot warning and rear cross-collision warning are optional.
This story is from Automotive News Europe's latest monthly magazine. To view the new issue, as well as past issues, click here.
