Kia Ceed facelift revealed for UK market

Kia has unveiled a facelifted version of the Ceed small car for 2022 with a host of updates to help keep the Euro-only range fresh against newer competitors such as the Volkswagen Golf.

In Kia's European range, the Ceed fills the small-car space occupied in Australia by the Cerato. Until this year's facelifts for both models (see the new-look Cerato here), the two were much closer in front-end styling – although the Ceed was set apart from our local Cerato hatch with its more conventional hatchback shape.

For the 2022 Ceed, a redesigned front-end incorporates Kia’s latest logo and a prominent new front grille with a black gloss finish, chrome inserts and closed-off design for plug-in hybrid variants.

Surrounding the larger grille is an updated headlight design, with full-LED headlamps and three new arrow-shaped daytime running lights.

In addition, the Ceed’s lower front bumper has been altered with chrome accents and a side garnish which extends into the front wheel arch.

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Out back, the hatch picks up a new tail-light design on GT-Line and GT variants – consisting of 48 red honeycomb-shaped light modules with sequential turn signals in a clear tinted housing.

The wagon, ProCeed shooting brake and regular hatch models retain their existing tail-light designs, however, all Ceed variants now feature a gloss-back rear diffuser with chrome styling cues.

Additionally, the ProCeed GT includes a set of exclusive design upgrades, including red highlights at the front, side and rear, as well as larger exhaust tips and updated 18-inch dark metal alloy wheels with red wheel caps.

Two new external colours – orange fusion and machined bronze, replacing copper stone – and a set of new alloy wheel designs, ranging from 16-inch to 18-inch, round out changes to the exterior design of the Ceed.

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Moving inside, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster has been added to range-topping versions of the updated Ceed range, paired with an 10.25-inch infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a new USB charging point in the centre console for rear passengers.

Kia Connect will include additional tech in the Ceed, including; valet mode, third-party calendar link with navigation, augmented reality for the last mile of navigation and ‘user profile transfer’, a feature which will primarily allow fleet customers to easily switch their preferences from one connected Kia to another.

Four new upholstery options – including black suede/leather bucket seats with contrasting grey stitching on the GT-Line, and red leather on the GT – join the updated Ceed range. GT-Line, GT and PHEV variants also pick up a newly-designed leather gear knob.

Kia has focused on active safety technology in the updated Ceed, with a range of revised driver assistance systems included. Much like recent Hyundai-Kia products, the Ceed’s blind-spot alert and rear-cross traffic alert systems have been upgraded to include collision avoidance technology. In addition, the car will now warn the driver when a leading vehicle has driven away in slow-moving traffic or at the lights.

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The engine options have remained unchanged for the updated Ceed, although a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine was added to the UK range earlier in 2021. The engine – which replaced the previous 1.4-litre turbo – is joined by a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel donks, alongside mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and LPG options.

The updated Kia Ceed will commence production at the company’s European manufacturing plant in Slovakia during August, ahead of an on-sale date in Europe during the fourth quarter of this year. Full pricing and specification is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

With Kia’s small car slot filled by the recently-updated Cerato in Australia, the Ceed remains off the table for an Australian launch. The previous-generation ProCeed GT was sold in Australia for a short period in the mid-2010s, but was discontinued due to slow sales and high import costs stemming from the model’s European production in 2015.