Kia Ceed hatchback - Interior & comfort

It’s hard to believe the Ceed is only in its third generation, especially when you sit inside. In terms of quality, there’s little to separate it from the Volkswagen Golf, thanks to attractive and tactile surfaces on the dashboard and doors, satisfying buttons and switches, along with an attractive touchscreen.

Kia Ceed dashboard

The latter now resembles a portable device docked between the air vents, updating the traditional car-stereo-look of older versions of the Ceed and giving it a contemporary feel – unless you compare it to the ultra-modern (but pricier) Mercedes A-Class.

This has allowed Kia to slim down the fascia, creating a more open space for the driver and front-seat passenger, as well as subtly improved visibility ahead. There are still physical controls for the heating and ventilation, too – much to the relief of anyone who finds using touchscreen controls for these a step too far.

Equipment

The Ceed hatchback’s UK trim levels comprise ‘2’, ‘2 Nav’, ‘3’, and three sporty trims - GT-Line, GT-Line S and the top GT. Even the entry-level ‘2’ is very well equipped with alloy wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a DAB radio and Bluetooth, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, remote central locking and cruise control. 2 Nav adds a 10.25-inch screen with sat nav plus a USB fast-charging port to the kit list of the entry-level model.

On top of the 2’s impressive equipment, the ‘3’ includes the bigger touchscreen, sat nav, electric folding mirrors, upgraded seat trim with faux leather bolsters, two-zone automatic air conditioning and rear parking sensors. The range-topping First Edition is loaded with kit; eight-inch sat nav, front and rear heated leather seats, sunroof, LED headlights, heated steering wheel, JBL eight-speaker sound system and a host of driver assistance systems.

GT-Line adds a sporty body kit, black exterior accents, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats over the ‘3’ trim. A special-edition GT-Line Lunar Edition also gets a sunroof, LED headlights and an exclusive paint colour, while GT-Line S brings heated rear seats, a digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control and wireless phone charging. The GT model has red brake calipers, model-specific graphics on the display between the dials and some extra styling touches.

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Options

If you want music to sound top-notch in your Ceed, you can upgrade to a JBL Premium sound system, which includes 'Clari-Fi' technology designed to improve the reproduction of digital files. Wireless charging for phones is also handy, if you have a compatible device.

Speaking of convenience, a heated windscreen is available for the first time in a Kia, melting frost in winter before you drive off. Heated and ventilated front seats and heated back seats are also desirable options in the colder months.