Used Kia Ceed Review

Looking for a fuel-efficient family hatchback that’s cheap to buy and run? Then you can’t do much better than a used Kia Ceed. This unassuming and practical family car may not turn many heads, but it’s a very effective all-rounder with some excellent engines and a strong equipment offering across the board. There’s also Kia’s famed reliability to consider and the small matter of a transferrable seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

How do you find the best used Kia Ceed for sale? We review the Mk2 (2012-2018) and Mk3 (2018-present) Kia Ceed to help you find the best engines, trim levels and the price you should expect to pay.

How does it look?

While its predecessor, the Mk1, was quite bland, the Mk2 and Mk3 Kia Ceed are attractive in all their iterations. That includes the Kia Ceed Sportswagon - the estate version; the ProCeed, a three-door hatchback; the XCeed, which is the raised SUV version; and the sporty Kia Ceed GT. Here though, we’re concentrating on the handsome and sleek five-door Kia Ceed hatchback.

Despite its attractive price tag, the Ceed boasts stylish and modern looks, with the Mk2 sporting a wraparound LED headlamp cluster, low-slung front and a distinctive front grille. On the inside, the interior of the Mk2 doesn’t quite match the contemporary styling of the exterior. It’s all perfectly modern and well laid out and the materials themselves are pleasant enough, but it’s all a little bland and unwelcoming. Thankfully, the fuel-efficient engines and generous equipment levels more than make up for it. 

The Mk3, however, is a different matter. The design of the cabin has really improved, with quality plastics and a range of driving positions, while every model features an excellent infotainment screen and advanced safety equipment as standard. 

What’s it like to drive? 

The Kia Ceed is a good car to drive, with crisp steering and an agile pose that helps it turn keenly into corners. Whether you’re driving on winding country roads, around town or on motorways, you’ll receive a perfectly pleasant experience.

Unless you opt for the Kia Ceed GT, it’s perhaps not the most thrilling driving experience you’re ever going to get, but that’s not necessarily something you’d expect from a budget all-rounder. Yes, the ride is a little firm in the larger-wheeled versions, visibility through the small rear window isn’t brilliant (all models from 2018 onwards feature a rear reversing camera) and the brakes can be a bit grabby until you get used to them, but the overall driving experience is completely satisfactory.   

Does a Kia Ceed hold its value?

Used Kia Ceeds hold their value well thanks to their transferable seven-year warranty, excellent reliability, good safety performance and economic engines. The Kia Ceed has even been named compact car ‘residual value giant’ by a leading market research company. It retains 48.5% of its value after four years, beating off tough competition from the Skoda Scala and Volkswagen Golf.   

Which is the best used Kia Ceed to buy?

If you’re shopping around for a used Kia Ceed for sale then it pays to know some of the basics. Initially, the Mk2 was introduced with 1.4 and 1.6 petrol or diesel engines. After a facelift in 2016, a 1.0-litre T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine was added to the range, as was a more powerful 134bhp version of the 1.6-litre diesel. Of these, the diesels and the 1.0-litre turbo petrol offer the sprightliest performance. If performance is not a priority. The 1.4 petrol engine is smooth enough and delivers excellent fuel economy. However, if you do high mileage, it’s worth going for the 1.4 diesel. 

Trim-wise, the Mk2 Ceed range is made up of four trim levels numbered 1-4. The entry-level 1 provides electric windows, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and air conditioning as standard, while the value-packed 2 comes with a touchscreen entertainment system and satnav, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a parking camera. There are also GT-Line and GT-Line S models, which provide the styling of the Kia Ceed GT without the grunt. We think the Kia Ceed 2  or the later SR7 models are both excellent picks. 

The Mk3 offers a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, all of which are turbocharged. Of these, we like the 118bhp 1.0-litre and 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol versions. The spec options on the Mk3 change slightly, with the range starting at the 2 trim level. The Ceed 2 includes plenty of standard kit, while The Ceed 3 brings bigger wheels and a larger infotainment screen. There’s also a Blue Edition model, with LED headlights and unique seat designs, as well as the sporty GT Line and GT Line S. But again, there’s no need to go higher than trim level 2 unless you really want to.   

How much is a used Kia Ceed? 

Mk2 used Kia Ceeds start at around £3,000, although those will be high mileage 2012 models. Even if you’re on a budget, it’s worth upping your spend to £5,000-£7,000 to secure a newer sub-80,000 mile car with some of its warranty still to run. Used diesel Kia Ceeds heavily outnumber petrol versions, so expect to pay more for a 1.4 or 1.6-litre petrol engine, with prices starting at around £5,500.

If you’re looking for a used Mk3 Kia Ceed for sale, expect to pay £12,00 for a 2018 car with the level 2 trim. Spend £1,000 more for the well-equipped Ceed 3 or closer to £15,000 for the GT-Line or GT Line S models. £15,000-£17,000 will get you a good Ceed from 2019 or 2020, and expect to pay £17,000 plus for a 2021 model.

Are you on the look out for a used Kia Ceed? Take a look at Tangelo's current Kia stock and get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable sales team to book an appointment or a test drive at our Exeter Customer Hub.