The 2022 Kia Exceed urban crossover is the latest model to join the Ceed range, from Korean manufacturer Kia. Based on the range, the 2022 Kia Exceed is a combination of hatchback and funky SUV design. It wears plastic wheel arches, heavy bumpers, and a sturdy set of roof rails. The suspension has been raised by 44 mm to underline its all-terrain capability.
Interestingly, there is a category with plug-ins, as the Korean manufacturer sees the 2022 Kia Exceed as having a different target market than the electric vehicle or just the Niro hybrid. With the proliferation of coupes / crossovers / SUVs, the 2022 Kia Exceed holds a special place for itself. And its beautiful shape is one of the reasons for selling it.
Our review of the 2022 Kia Exceed will find out if this vehicle is a true SUV alternative. If you want a more stylish hatchback but don’t need a big (expensive) car like a full-size SUV. And this is where the small SUV comes in. It’s a thriving segment in which it battles rivals from Dacia Duster to the Porsche Macan. You can follow its comparison with the Nissan Juke here .
New Kia Exceed for 2022
The wheelbase (wheelbase) remains the same as on the regular Ceed, but the 2022 Kia Exceed is longer. Meaning it has a bigger luggage compartment than the hatchback Syd. Its design was updated and a suite of safety technologies were added to the Kia Xceed in 2022.
Kia tweaked the suspension as well, giving it a softer setting, with some smart dampers. With the aim of providing an enjoyable drive, while maintaining the sporty handling characteristics of a regular hatchback.
Exterior design of the Kia Xceed 2022
In terms of design, Kia has improved somewhat. And it manages to give the 2022 Kia Exceed some SUV model characteristics without spoiling the look. Black plastic cladding and large roof rails play the biggest role in its appearance. Yes, there’s still a resemblance to the Sid family, too, and they share the same front doors, but the 2022 Kia Exceed is much sharper and aggressive, and it adds points for the distinctively fake exhaust outlets.
The Kia Exceed is a sporty alternative to traditional SUVs. With a sportier appearance than its taller rivals, the 2022 Kia Exceed has an all-new chassis, mixed with Sid’s ported body panels. The rear silhouette of the LXD cabin and Fastback tailgate angle give the design a coupe-like feel, offset by a relatively long bonnet. As for the wheelbase (2650 mm), the front and rear arms of the Kia XCeed on the hatchback extend by 25 mm in the front (up to 905 mm) and 60 mm in the rear (up to 840 mm).
The curved tailgate is reinforced by a steep angle, and the rear “deck” edge rises 60 mm more than the Sid. The vehicle’s high height and body provide the same powerful image that attracts buyers to other SUVs in Kia’s product lineup. The Kia XCeed’s ground clearance is 172 mm on 16-inch wheels and 184 mm on 18-inch wheels. The wheel arch, side sill trim and silver roof rails give the car a stronger SUV-like presence, and a metallic curtain in the rear bumper enhances this effect.
GT-Line Sport models feature bespoke styling changes, including 17-inch gloss black alloy wheels, black door mirrors and a D-cut leather steering wheel with gray stitching. The model gains aluminum pedals, paddle shifters and starter technology.
Interior Design for Kia Exceed 2022
Interiors are a strong point for Kia right now, and the 2022 Kia Exceed is no exception. There’s enough feel-good materials to make it a pleasant place to be, and the infotainment systems are easy to use. All categories support phone systems. Heated steering wheel and front seats are standard.
. Base-spec ‘2’ models get an 8-inch main screen, while ‘3’ and Edition 1 cars get 10.25 inches. First Edition cars also get a 12.3-inch digital display. The screen is clear enough, but it does not allow to display a satellite navigation map.
Kia has pressed an oxide roof from the rear, which means that there are compromises on the inside, especially the rear seats. The sloping roofline makes things a bit claustrophobic, and the dense rear pillars don’t allow for a great view back. All models come with reversing cameras and Smart Park Assist, to remedy the problem. And despite the coupe-style roof, there’s still 426 liters of luggage space — it’s 31 liters wider than the regular Ceed, but the Ceed Sportswagon is wider and offers you 625 liters.
The 2022 Kia Exceed First Edition also gets some very bright yellow stitching to match its eye-catching exterior colour. Yes, no one wants a boring monotonous color scheme, but we have to say that there is a limit to our taste.
Kia Exceed Engine
Despite its sporty appearance, the 2022 Kia Exceed is front-wheel drive only. The engine standard is a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with 118 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission, but you can switch to a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to either a manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission. There is a choice of a 1.6-liter diesel engine, you can choose one of them with 134 horsepower, or the same engine with only 114 horsepower.
Proceed GT-Line models are equipped with a 1.5-liter T-GDi engine with 158 horsepower, with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and the last engine in the lineup is the 1.6-liter PHEV Hybrid. But its performance is similar to the standard 1.0 T-GDI, and the all-electric mode provides enough pace to keep up with traffic. The downside is that the range is a bit disappointing.
The engine we recommend for you from the Kia Xceed range 2022
The cheapest engine in the XCeed range is a 118-hp 1.0 T-GDi turbocharged petrol, the same engine we’d recommend in the regular Ceed hatchback. And while it does need an acceleration to get the best out of it, the truth is that it makes it dynamic enough to keep up with freeway traffic, and it feels more lively than the 11.1-second acceleration time might suggest to go from 0 to 60 miles. per hour. In general, this is our selection of the group.
If you think you’ll need more power, go with the 158 HP 1.5L T-GDi. It offers the same performance you get from a Skoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI 150 engine and is fit to make good progress.
Driving and performance impressions of the 2022 Kia Xceed
So far we’ve driven the base-spec 1.0-liter three-cylinder petrol, 138-hp four-cylinder. Obviously, the 1.0-liter engine is not for speed enthusiasts. It takes 10.9 seconds to reach 62 mph, and you may need to rev up the Kia Xceed, but the manual transmission is much better than the automatic we tested with a 1.4-liter engine. I expect most buyers to go for the 1.4 liter option. It is reasonably improved.
Suspension and driving comfort in the 2022 Kia Xceed
After it was lifted, Exoxide’s suspension became a little softer. I did find a bit of extra mileage in the corners, but the steering is nice and quick to feel dynamic enough. And with a softer suspension, the Oxide handles big obstacles, like speed bumps, and is also stable on the highways.
Noting the bumps, it fails to smooth out steeper bumps and hills, and the PHEV isn’t as tight at grasping its body motions as a regular Oxide and swings a bit more than the Golf GTE on undulating roads.
Stability and handling for Kia Exceed 2022
The Exceed moves fluently and grips reassuringly, but is less precise and agile than family hatchbacks. It also tilts at the corners more than master, but its folds are not so much as to call it zigzag.
The PHEV looks less nimble than the regular Exodus, due to the added weight of the battery pack. This applies to most hybrids, and the PHEV is still more regulated than the Mercedes A250e. We emphasize once again that there is no 4WD option in the Kia Exceed range, and all models are front-wheel drive, so don’t venture out on muddy trails.
Noise and vibration in the Kia Xceed 2022
The 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder engine kicks off hard when you rev but isn’t annoying. Four-cylinder petrol engines are quieter at lower revs, but stutter a bit when pushed hard. As for the PHEV, the problem is compounded by the six-speed automatic gearbox. Especially on hills and hills, they tend to change gears and send the engine upside down. On the plus side, it can run quietly on electricity alone and switch between the two power sources seamlessly.
The seven-speed automatic gearbox can be choppy in traffic. If you stick with the six-speed manual gearbox, its light, short throw feels fine to use but the clutch spring pedal takes a while to get used to. All versions have powerful and progressive brakes. At highway speeds, the Kia Exceed is noisier than its competitors due to wind and road rumble.
The fuel economy of the Kia Xceed 2022 in fuel consumption
In terms of fuel economy, Kia claims the three-cylinder engine cuts 45 mpg in the WLTP cycle, and Kia says the four-cylinder engine cuts less than 43 mpg. In fact, I found it in a city and highway mix landing less than forty mpg. And that’s not bad
Prices for Kia Exceed 2022
Prices start at £23,795 and go up to £27,410, with added equipment such as 17-inch alloy wheels, Fame windows, rain-sensing front wipers, automatic air conditioning, rear parking sensors and a drive mode selection.
Outperforming the Ceed range, the Proceed GT costs around £30,280 with a 1.6-liter T-GDi engine producing 201 horsepower, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. In addition to all the equipment found on the GT-Line, the GT is fitted with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with red center caps, red inserts on the front grille and rear diffuser, dual exhaust, red seat stitching, and a digital ‘GT Performance’ .
Value for the price of the Kia Xceed 2022
“With its elevated seating position and desirable compact SUV look, the Kia XCeed is a very attractive option. It represents good value for money with plenty of standard equipment and a quality interior. It’s hard to describe as a practical car, but it’s much better to drive and more comfortable than the hatchback Sid.
Operating expenses and costs of the Kia Xceed 2022
When you look at operating costs, things don’t get any more compelling. Compared to the best competitors. Our group choice is the 1.0 T-GDi engine because at least it keeps the price as low as possible and is more fuel efficient with lower emissions. And if you’re a corporate car user, take a look at the PHEV, but it’s not quite as good as other PHEVs. Its electric range of less than 30 miles puts it in a lower tax category.
Buying a Kia Xceed will cost you a lot of extra cash, yes it is cheaper than the Ford Focus, but there are many better and more affordable family cars to choose from. Also, if you are looking for an SUV, there are cheaper alternatives including the Skoda Kamik.
Equipment, options and extras in the Kia Xceed 2022
Sticking with Tier 1 Series II parts, they are reasonably well-equipped and keep costs low. This includes all the entertainment and vision we’ve already discussed, along with 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, automatic lights, air conditioning, and cruise control.
The Connect trim is really well-equipped but it is more expensive, and this reduces its chances for a car like the Skoda Karoq, but it comes with other features, and anything above the following features will definitely be too expensive for us to not recommend and suffice you:
- Updated infotainment system
- privacy glass
- automatic wipers
- Power folding door mirrors
- climate control
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated front seats
- 18 inch alloy wheels
Kia Exceed 2022 Reliability and Warranty
Kia has a good reliability record, ranking 9th out of 30 manufacturers featured in the 2021 reliability surveys. It comes behind Toyota, better than Skoda and ahead of Ford and Volkswagen.
Even if you have a problem, Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty is the longest and gives it an added advantage.
Safety and Security Specifications for Kia Exceed 2022
We didn’t get the Exceed test data, but Ceed’s tests only gave it 4 out of 5 stars, which means it’s less safe than the competition, but things look very promising considering the amount of safety equipment all classes receive such as: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Keeping Assist. Driver Alert System, Traffic Sign Recognition. With blind spot monitoring, the upgraded AEB system recognizes pedestrians and cyclists.
Positives
- elegant appearance
- Industry-leading seven-year warranty and transferable to second owner
- Well-equipped mid-range “3”
Negatives
- Only 1st Edition models get the most desirable features
- Not as practical as the Kia Sportage
- Poor safety rating
- Less elegant than the cheaper Mister hatchback
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