Two leading German motor magazines examined the Kia XCeed, and here’s what they said about the model.
The two leading German motor magazines – Auto Bild, and Auto Motor und Sport(AMS) – reviewed the Kia XCeed, and here are the detailed results.
German motor magazines reviewed XCeed
XCeed, one of the sister models of the C-segment hatchback Kia Cee’d, is considered to be a B-segment SUV in Europe. Since its release in 2019, these leading German motor magazines have compared t model with many other competitors thoroughly.
They focused on how competitive XCeed could be, as a newbie who jumped into the compact SUV market, and compared the model with other strong competitors such as Volkswagen T-Roc or Mazda CX-30. T-Roc was the best-seller model last year in Europe, and CX-30 was the same crossover model, just like XCeed.
XCeed.
There were quite a few interesting reviews. The topics read ‘compact SUVs near 150hp’, ‘comparison between compact SUVs and crossovers’, ‘the three small SUVs’, and so on. The magazines compared each model’s design, cabin interior, comfort, powertrain, performance, and features. Ruthless critics gave marks to each vehicle, then ranked them so that consumers can see how powerful and practical they can be.
AMS saw how XCeed’s interior design and convenience features make the fascinating cabin. Soft materials for the cabin, comfortable seats, large legroom, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, and large cargo space. The easy-to-use infotainment system and the state-of-the-art Advanced Driver Assistance System(ADAS) also received high marks. Auto Bild also pointed out that even the basic trim is loaded with convenience features, gorgeous design, and comfy seats, but but its coupe looks made the second-row headroom smaller.
There were quite a few interesting reviews. The topics read ‘compact SUVs near 150hp’, ‘comparison between compact SUVs and crossovers’, ‘the three small SUVs’, and so on. The magazines compared each model’s design, cabin interior, comfort, powertrain, performance, and features. Ruthless critics gave marks to each vehicle, then ranked them so that consumers can see how powerful and practical they can be.
Fair Performance Reviews
AMS and Auto Bild carefully examined each car’s performance. The two magazines praised X Ceed’s perky engine(1.6 T-GDI, 1.4 T-GDI) and its sophisticated manual transmission. Auto Bild liked that acceleration to 60mph is completed in just 9.2 seconds on 1.4 T-GDI. Though the car showed a bit of turbo lag at the low engine speeds, it regained its speed soon enough, showing quite an agile handling. The magazine also liked that the stopping distance from 60 mph recorded 34.6m. They did not like everything about the car, of course. AMS said X Ceed’s suspension was too stiff, and they were not happy with the car’s slow steering response.
Both magazines loved T-Roc’s reliable performance and great handling. However, AMS pointed out that the vehicle’s fuel efficiency was not good enough, and this would be because of its 4Motion that enables four-wheel drive all the time.
The magazines praised CX-30’s great efficiency that the clever new SkyActiv-X engine gives with a super high-pressure injector. Auto Bild, however, said the driver could not feel the car’s 2.0 liter-engine with 180 hp.
Kia XCeed, one strong compact SUV
Meanwhile, Renault Kadjar, Mini Countryman, and Peugeot 3008 did not get high marks. Skoda Karoq got decent marks once, but it wasn’t considered to be one of the crossover-style B segment SUVs.
So, after these five competitions, who’s going to be the winner? The Kia XCeed took first place three times and second place twice, and CX-30 clinched first and second place once each. What’s notable is that XCeed, which scored 527 out of 750, beat T-Roc, which scored 523, in a one-on-one match Auto Bild conducted.
XCeed, more expensive than T-Roc, proved itself to have much better features.
XCeed, Ceed(hatchback model), Ceed Sportswagon(wagon model), and ProCeed(shooting brake) make the Ceed family, and XCeed has its competitive edge compared to the other B segment SUVs. The fact that multiple European auto magazines picked the Kia XCeed as the top model to lead the B segment SUV market clearly shows this.