The company has said that the Ceed will be the most high-tech car in its class when it goes on sale in the UK this autumn.
The five-door hatchback, which will debut at the Geneva motor show, will be the first from a new family of Ceed models. These will include an estate, a hatchback and a shooting brake, with an SUV due as well. The Ceed is built on Kia’s latest K2 platform and offers improved interior space and a 15-litre increase in boot capacity.
The car also rides and handles better than its predecessor, according to the company. There are two petrol engines and one diesel engine on offer- the smallest petrol is an updated version of a 1.0-litre T-GDi unit, while a 1.4-litre T-GDi engine replaces the old car’s 1.6-litre petrol. There’s only one 1.6-litre diesel CRDi. A 48V mild hybrid version might be introduced next year.
On the inside, there’s a new 5.0-inch or 7.0-inch infotainment display, depending on the specification, or an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get Bluetooth smartphone integration, automatic lights and keyless entry as standard, an optional JBL premium sound system, and other goodies like a wireless phone charger and heated windscreen.
The Ceed has a new Level 2 autonomous system called Lane Following Assist. It also features adaptive cruise control, as well as parking assist function and pedestrian recognition technology.