Kia XCeed 2020 revealed: Europe's Seltos alternative finally unveiled

The 2020 Kia XCeed small SUV has finally been revealed after a months-long teaser campaign - but it will only be sold in Europe, leaving Australia to run with the recently-unveiled Kia Seltos 2020 model. 

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Based on the Ceed hatchback - also not sold in Australia - the XCeed “combines compact SUV practicality with the sporty packaging and engaging handling of a hatchback,” according to Kia. 

Styled much sportier and sleeker than the Seltos, the XCeed has been designed for European tastes. It will be built solely at Kia’s Slovakian factory, which rules it out for Australian sales. 

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Measuring 4395mm long, 1826mm wide, 1490mm tall and with a 2650mm-long wheelbase, the XCeed is 80mm longer, 26mm wider, 130mm less tall and with a 40mm longer wheelbase than the Seltos. The XCeed is only 90mm shorter than the Sportage, which will likely grow in its next generation. 

The XCeed's interior closely follows the Ceed.

Practicality of the XCeed has been enhanced over the Ceed with a 426-litre boot (31L larger than the Ceed) that opens to 1378L with the seats folded, as well as an electric tailgate, 40:20:40-split rear seats and a two-step boot floor.

The interior of the XCeed is similar to the Ceed, though has been fitted with a JBL sound system, the company’s latest 10.25-inch touchscreen - to debut in Australia in the Seltos - and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. The interior is sportily styled with yellow highlights and stitching, as well as piano black and satin chrome trim finishes.

Heated front and rear seats, as well as a heated windscreen, heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats add extra comfort to the XCeed, and those features will no doubt be welcome in Europe’s colder climate. 

The Seltos is 130mm taller than the XCeed.

Like the Ceed, the XCeed offers safety tech including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, auto high beam, automatic parking and speed sign recognition. 

Lane following assist is also available, which gives the XCeed level two autonomous driving technology - it controls acceleration, braking and steering autonomously.  

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Five turbocharged engines will be available in the XCeed: an 88kW/172Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit used in the Australian Rio GT-Line, a 103kW/242Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder and a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre unit used in the Cerato GT.

The XCeed is the first Kia in Europe to feature digital dials.

Two diesels will also be available, both using a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with outputs of either 85kW or 100kW (torque figures are currently not confirmed). All engines come standard with a six-speed manual, while a seven-speed dual-clutch auto is optionally available on every engine excluding the base petrol. 

All XCeed models are front-wheel drive, and Kia has confirmed hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will join the range in 2020. 

The XCeed's rear is sleek and heavily raked.

Like the Ceed hatchback and wagon, Australia won’t be receiving the XCeed thanks to its European production source. Instead, the Seltos will be sold in its place, which is due in October 2019.

Should Kia Australia sell the Xceed locally? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.