2021 Kia Ceed gets new 1.5-litre petrol engine

• 1.5-litre replaces old 1.4-litre engine
• DCT auto gearbox fitted on Ceed GT
• On sale now

The Kia Ceed is now available with a new 1.5-litre petrol engine that has more power than the outgoing 1.4-litre unit. As well as the hatchback, the new engine is available in the Kia XCeed, Kia ProCeed and Kia Ceed Sportswagon. Kia has also tweaked the Ceed’s equipment list.

Producing 158bhp, the new engine is 20bhp more powerful than the 1.4-litre engine it replaces. Torque is up too, so we’d expect the 1.5-litre to offer quicker acceleration. A Ceed with the 1.4-litre engine currently takes 8.6 seconds to hit 62mph, which is still quite sprightly.

Kia is still offering its 1.6-litre diesel engine, which now comes with mild-hybrid technology to reduce emissions. Most diesels now get Kia’s innovative ‘intelligent’ manual gearbox, which works like a normal manual but features technology to maximise fuel efficiency.

The svelte Kia ProCeed shooting brake has gone petrol only. You can order it in GT-Line, GT-Line S and GT trims, with the latter getting a 201bhp petrol engine that’s capable of 0-62mph in just over seven seconds. ProCeed and Ceed GT models also get a new standard paint colour.

A new Kia XCeed ‘4’ trim replaces the First Edition model, and features black leather upholstery and the option of the Quantum Yellow paint colour that was previously only available on the First Edition. All XCeeds get a tyre repair kit now, while city and pedestrian detection functionality has been added to the entire Ceed range.

Read where the Kia Ceed Sportswagon lands on our list of the best hybrid estate cars.