Used Kia Cee’d 2012-2018 review
The second-generation Kia Cee’d was a stylish and sophisticated rival to established European family hatchbacks. It's now a good used buy.
- Used Kia Cee’d 12-present
- Used Kia Cee’d 12-present
- Used Kia Cee’d 12-present
- Used Kia Cee’d 12-present
- Used Kia Cee’d 12-present
What's the used Kia Ceed like?
This generation of the Kia Cee’d family hatchback was the first to challenge its European rivals in terms of overall competence.
However, there were a few important boxes the Cee'd needed to tick if it was to genuinely be considered a rival to the likes of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf. That’s why, compared with its predecessor, this second-generation Cee’d was so much more stylish inside and out, and even contained underskin changes that attempted to make it more fun to drive.
Pros
- Spacious
- Some newer models could have up to seven years of warranty cover
- Well equipped
Cons
- Rivals are better to drive
- Lifeless steering
- Others are more economical
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To kick off with, though, the Cee'd’s engine range is solid rather than spectacular. It was available with 1.4 (99bhp) and 1.6-litre (133bhp) GDI petrols, and 1.4 (89bhp) and 1.6-litre (126bhp) CRDi diesels. As for gearboxes, a decent dual-clutch automatic gearbox was available with the larger petrol engine, while early diesels came with a torque converter automatic.
The entry-level '1' models came with 15in steel wheels, rear spoiler, heated door mirrors, front electric windows and hill start assist as standard on the outside, while inside you'll find air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and a DAB radio as standard.
Upgrade to an SR7 Cee'd and it included 16in alloys, rear parking sensors, privacy glass and adaptive headlights, while paying a bit more for the '2' may lose a couple of features but added folding door mirrors, cruise control, vanity mirrors, front foglights and LED day-running-lights.
Buying a '3' trimmed Kia Cee'd added luxuries such as 16in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable lumbar support, automatic wipers and Kia's 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system complete with TomTom-powered sat-nav and a reversing camera, while the '4' gained 17in alloy wheels, leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless start and entry and an electronic parking brake.
The '4 Tech' trim included a panoramic sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, an electrically adjustable driver's seats, front parking sensors and numerous Kia safety technology.
The C'eed GT-Line chiefly came with a sporty bodykit, twin exhaust system, and numerous GT-Line specced interior details, while the GT models came with 18in alloys, Recaro front seats, 17in brake discs and LED front foglights.
Out on the road, the pick of the petrols is the 1.4, which is cheaper to buy and a little smoother, if ultimately slower. If you’re after a diesel it’s worth spending the extra on the more powerful 1.6.
Whichever Cee’d you choose, don’t expect a thrilling driving experience. The Golf, Focus and Seat Leon are all much more satisfying in terms of steering response and agility (that even applies to sportier GT versions of the Cee’d from 2014 with their 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine). Having said that, if you simply want a car that is undemanding to drive, has a soft ride and isn’t too noisy, the Cee’d gives little cause for complaint.
Just as importantly, seeing as this is a car aimed at families, the Cee’d has a boot that is larger than a you’ll find in the Focus and a match for the Golf's. You can extend the space by folding the rear backrests in a 60/40 split, although to get them to go completely flat requires you to first lift the seat base out of the way.
In terms of seating, up to three passengers won’t have much to complain about in the Cee'd, because there’s a good amount of room in the front and the back seats, as well as doors that open nice and wide. You can also get a third person on the rear bench with a modicum more space than in some of its rivals, although it’s still far from ideal for longer journeys.
The Cee’d range was given a facelift in 2016 that included the introduction of a 1.0-litre T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine with either 99bhp or 118bhp. At the same time, Kia added extra sound deadening to make the Cee’d quieter to drive, and introduced a more powerful 134bhp version of its 1.6-litre diesel, which was also offered with a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic.
The Cee'd scored a maximum five stars when crash-tested by Euro NCAP. It was replaced by an all-new model in 2018.
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Tips & Advice
Ownership cost
What used Kia Ceed will I get for my budget?
You can buy a second-generation Kia Cee’d from little more than £3000, but its engine will already have clocked up more than 150,000 miles. That engine will more than likely be powered by diesel too; these outnumber petrol Cee’ds by about five to one.
Increasing your budget to around £5000 will buy you a sub-80,000 mile car, potentially with a little of the warranty still to run. Petrol Cee’ds, meanwhile, start at about £5500 with a choice of 1.4 or 1.6-litre engines.
It's worth pointing out that if you buy a car through Kia’s approved used scheme, it restarts the warranty back up to the original seven years, so while you pay a premium compared with a private sale or non-franchised dealer, it’s arguably worth it for peace of mind. These cost from about £8500 for a car in entry-level 1 specification, and must be less than 18 months old and have covered fewer than 18,000 miles.
Tips & Advice
Our recommendations
Which used Kia Ceed should I buy?
True to Kia’s value-for-money approach, even entry-level 1 models get you air conditioning, electric windows, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and 15in alloy wheels.
Later SR7 models are our recommendation. This spec slots in between 1 and 2 in terms of price but has extras such as dual-zone climate control and automatic headlights.
Unless you cover a lot of miles, we’d be inclined to stick with the 1.4 petrol. It might not be the liveliest of engines, but it’s smooth enough and good value.
Our favourite Kia Cee’d: 1.4 GDI SR7
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Tips & Advice
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Kia Ceed?
The most obvious alternative to the Kia Cee’d is the similarly priced Hyundai i30. Not only were the two developed alongside each other but they offer similar standard equipment and fuel economy, although the Kia’s longer warranty (by two years) will edge it for many people.
If you prefer something that’s a bit more interesting to drive, the Ford Focus or Seat Leon still hold plenty of appeal as used buys, or if you prioritise boot and interior space, go for the Skoda Octavia.
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How reliable is the Kia Ceed ?
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