Just like every other mainstream manufacturer, Kia has launched a crossover based on its compact hatchback. Dubbed the XCeed, it is exactly what its name implies - a taller and slightly more off-road-capable version of Kia’s Ceed hatchback.

It is now the fourth available Ceed body style, after the regular hatchback, the Ceed Sportswagon, and the ProCeed shooting brake model. However, it doesn’t actually share any exterior body panels with any of them and, while the all the vehicles in the Ceed family were already pretty handsome, the new XCeed takes up a notch further. It’s even better to look at and you hardly notice it sits any higher off the ground.

The Kia XCeed is More Than Just a Raised Hatchback

Kia really has exceeded expectations with the XCeed, which is not merely a raised version of the Ceed hatch with plastic body cladding around the lower part of the car. It does look like it is related to its Ceed brethren, but Kia’s designers have really outdone themselves in creating it. And I’ll begin talking about the back of the XCeed which to me resembles an all-time favorite, the Alfa Romeo Brera coupe.

The XCeed’s headlights have a notch on their inner edge, and this is quite a striking design detail to my eyes. And it works well with the grille design.

Of the 12 available paint finishes, 11 are shared with other Ceed models. However, the color called Quantum Yellow (the color of the car in the batch of official photos) is unique to the XCeed.

The XCeed’s wheelbase is identical to all other Ceed models at 2,650 millimeters (104.3 inches), but its front overhang is 25 millimeters (1 inch) longer, while the rear overhang is 60 millimeters (2.35 inches) longer compared to the hatch. The rear deck trailing edge is also 60 millimeters (2.35 inches) higher than on the hatch which, in combination with the fastback-style tailgate, “enhances the CUV’s dynamic, coupé-like, cab-rearward appearance,” according to the manufacturer. It’s also 26 millimeters (just over 1 inch) wider than the hatch and it also has 42 millimeters (1.6 inches) extra ground clearance.

The Kia XCeed’s interior is almost identical to the rest of the Ceed family

While the XCeed’s exterior is noticeably different compared to other Ceed models, the interior doesn’t appear to be any different. There really appear to be no differences, but that’s not a bad thing because the Ceed’s interior was already really good. The design is excellent (clean and logically laid out) and it’s all quite sporty looking with the center console angled toward the driver, as well as contrasting elements finished in the same color as the body.

As standard, you get an 8-inch screen which can be enlarged to 10.25-inch at extra cost. A new feature that debuts on the XCeed is the brand’s first fully-digital gauge cluster, displayed on a 12.3-inch screen. Kia calls it the Supervision driver instrument cluster and it should have very clear graphics since its display resolution is 1920 x 720 pixels.

Kia says that while the interior layout and design is pretty much the same as in any other Ceed, the fact that the XCeed sits higher off the ground makes access into the cabin easier and also improves forward visibility for the driver. But at the same time, its hip point is considerably lower than that of a conventional SUV, so the XCeed drives in a considerably sportier manner than an actual SUV.

Regarding carrying capacity, Kia says the XCeed has a maximum load volume of 426 liters (15 cubic feet) which is 31 liters (1 cubic foot) larger than what the hatch offers. However, the XCeed is no match for the Ceed Sportswagon’s 600-liter (21.2 cubic feet) trunk.

What powers the Kia XCeed?

As you might have guessed, the XCeed shares its entire engine range with the rest of the Ceed range. You have a choice of three direct-injection T-GDi engines: a 1-liter that makes 118 horsepower (120 PS) and 172 Nm of torque, a 1.4-liter with 138 horsepower (140 PS) and 242 Nm and the most powerful engine is the same 1.6-liter that powers the Ceed GT - it makes 201 horsepower (204 PS) and 265 Nm of torque and it bestows the XCeed with hot hatch peformance with a naught to sixty time of under seven seconds.

Kia offers the same 1.6-liter Smartstream four-cylinder in two states of tune: 113 horsepower (115 PS) and 134 horsepower (136 PS).

All engines come hooked up to a standard six-speed manual gearbox and all but the smallest gasoline mill can be had with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. No all-wheel drive option will be offered, but Kia says that mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions will join the range at a later date.

The Kia XCeed has plenty of tech

Kia has fitted the XCeed with new hydraulic rebound stoppers that come as standard on all models. They’re only fitted to the front, but Kia says it not only makes the ride more compliant over rough surfaces (and it can absorb big bumps better than without the system) but “it also contributes towards more responsive steering and improved overall body control while reducing noise from the suspension over bumps.” It is also worth mentioning that the XCeed is slightly softer-sprung than other Ceeds, by 7 percent on the front and 4 percent on the rear.

The rest is standard Ceed fare. The XCeed has a Drive Mode Select button that changes the car’s behavior from sporty to economical. There’s also a wide range of standard an available driver assistance systems that include:

-* Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go

-* Blind-spot Collision Warning

-* Forward Collision Warning with car and pedestrian detection

-* Intelligent Speed Limit Warning

-* Smart Parking Assist

-* Lane Keeping Assist

-* High Beam Assist

-* Driver Attention Warning

-* Lane Following Assist

The latter is Kia’s level 2 autonomous driving system that can take over steering, acceleration, and braking and “can track vehicles and road markings ahead to keep the car in-lane and a safe distance from any cars in front.”

It relies on its own SIM card to provide the driver with live information regarding traffic, weather, nearby points of interest as well as potential parking possibilities. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are only available on cars equipped with the larger of the two infotainment screens.

When does the Kia XCeed go on sale?

Kia intends for the XCeed to hit showrooms in the third quarter of 2019. Keep in mind that it is a model destined exclusively for the Old Continent, made in Kia’s Slovakian plant. And, as most modern Kias, it comes with a 7-year or 150,000 km (90,000-mile) warranty at no extra cost.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Kia Ceed GT.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Kia ProCeed.

Read our full review on the 2017 Kia Proceed Concept.

Read our full review on the 2018 Kia Ceed.