Kia has chosen to reimagine its next-gen ProCeed as a five-door fastback-like wagon, ditching the three-door layout of the previous model. Called a shooting brake by the company, and set to be revealed to the public next month at the Paris motor show, it is essentially a more rakish looking version of the load-lugging Ceed Sportwagon for those looking to blend practicality with making a more dramatic entrance.

This new ProCeed is slightly longer than the Sportwagon (by 5 mm) and a fair chunk shorter too (by 43 mm) and it even has a lower ground clearance too (also by 5 mm). Kia promises it’s still almost as practical as the actual wagon, though, offering only 30 liters less load volume.

Proceed will sit at the top of the Ceed lineup and Kia actually calls it “the most emotionally engaging car in the range.” It will, however, carry over all the engines found in the regular Ceed and also be offered as a sporty-looking GT Line model or warmed up GT..

2019 Kia ProCeed

Specifications
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  • Model: 2019 Kia ProCeed
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

Kia wants you to focus on the new Proceed’s distinctive and quite unique looking rear end, but its elongated tapering tail isn’t the only area where it differs from other models in the range. For instance, the front bumper design used for it is different to that of regular Ceeds.

However, while the design study carried its extra rear overhang with remarkable grace, the production model’s proportions aren’t exactly the same and it is noticeable.

There’s a whiff of the Stinger in its side profile too, even if the Proceed lacks its bigger brother’s red side reflector that extends from the rear light clusters. Looking at it squarely from the back, its unique wider rear bumper gives it a lot of presence, although points could be detracted for the very obviously fake exhaust tips.

Interior

Inside the new Proceed there is little to differentiate it from the rest of the range. Black headlining will immediately stand out if you’ve just been in a regular Ceed and you may also notice the unique metal sill scuff plates too.

Front seats are also different, Kia says, and the new ProCeed can be had with the brand’s new design sports seats which feature firmer side bolsters than before.

The dashboard and the rest of the interior trim pieces are identical to those of the regular Ceed which means a clean, pleasant layout, mostly high quality materials and generally a fairly high level of perceived quality for occupants.

Kia doesn’t offer the ProCeed with a digital gauge cluster, but buyers can choose between standard 7-inch or optional 8-inch infotainment displays which can run Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Sportier models come with a flat-bottom steering wheel and those specified with the available seven-speed dual-clutch transmission gain wheel-mounted paddles now made of metal alloy.

Drivetrain

All engine options for the new ProCeed are shared with the rest of the Ceed range and they’re all turbochareged. The base unit is a 1.0-liter with 120 horsepower and 127 pound-feed of torque, next there’s the 1.4-liter with 140 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque and finally the 1.6-liter from the high performance GT model. Power for this unit is 204 horsepower with 195 pound-feet of torque.

Kia still offers a diesel version too, in the form of the 1.6-liter ‘Smartstream’ CRDi oil burner with 136 horsepower but its torque output differs depending on transmission choice: 206 pound-feet for the six-speed manual and 236 pound-feet for the dual-clutch.

The diesel uses Selective Catalytic Reduction in order to reduce emissions and comply with the latest Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard.

Vehicles equipped with the dual-clutch feature a drive mode selector which enables moving between Normal and Sport modes - but it doesn’t just affect the gearbox. Putting the car in Sport, for instance, also sharpens throttle response and adds extra heft to the steering.

Pricing

Final pricing information for the new ProCeed has not been confirmed, but in the UK it’s set to cost from around £22,000 which roughly equates to $29,000. The full pricing scheme will be detailed closer to the time of its market debut which is set to take place in early 2019.

Competition

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake

Kia ProCeed only has one true rival, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake which is about the same size and shape. Price is different, obviously, since the Merc kicks off at just under $35,000 and there’s also the notion that one bears a premium badge while the other doesn’t.

CLA Shooting Brake is also the more visually striking automobile of the two and while it may lose out in terms of passenger and luggage space, it stands a higher chance to get you noticed. It also has a wider range of engines that go all the way up to the mighty AMG 45 which packs 381 horsepower and sprints to sixty in 4.3 seconds.

Read our full review on the 2017 Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake.

Renault Megane Estate

Another alternative bears a big, brash diamond badge up front, flanked by some of the most striking headlights of any car in its class: the Renault Megane Estate, preferably in GT Line or GT trim. It’s more obviously closer to a traditional wagon, and less of a fastback, but not by that much.

It looks really bold and noticeable from every angle and has a plush-feeling cabin with nice materials. The sportier GT and GT Line models get blue contrasting details inside which really help liven up the cabin. It also has all-wheel steering which makes it a unique proposition in its size and price bracket.

The Megane load lugger is much closer in pricing to the Kia, starting from the equivalent of $19,000, although the desirable top tier GT is closer to $30,000.

Read our full review on the 2018 Renault Megane Estate

Final Thoughts

Whether or not the new ProCeed is successful or not will hinge on its unique design being appreciated by prospective buyers enough for them to pay the extra price premium. It’s clearly a unique proposition in the segment, but at the same time it is nowhere near as visually appealing as the design study that previewed it.

It’s still a cool car, though, and many may buy it simply to be different and know that they’re driving something not that many other people drive, even among other Kia owners. It’s certainly enticing from that point of view, but it needs more than quirk factor to make it a sales success, especially since the more traditional two offerings in the Ceed range are already highly talented and desirable in their respective segments.

Further reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Kia ProCeed GT.

Read our full review on the 2017 Kia Proceed Concept.

Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Ceed.

Read more Paris Auto Show news.

Read more Kia news.