2022 Kia XCeed PHEV hybrid review - why should you buy one?

The 2022 Kia XCeed is sort of like a slightly raised, not-quite-SUVish version of the Ceed hatchback. It's full of fancy tech (hello digital dashboard), and I'm here testing the plug-in hybrid version. But is it any good? It certainly has its charms, but some fairly sizeable problems too - join me for a waffly walkaround and drive in this - the most popular version of the Ceed. Oh yes!
Check out my motorbike channel: / timrodie

[@MrWhelts]

This did make me laugh. I bought an Xceed 3 months ago after watching and reading loads of reviews and it's brilliant. If you do smallish trips every day (40 kilometres) and have a place to charge it at night ........... well, you simply don't put petrol in it. The only time the engine is needed is if it's cold (heater needs it) or if you need the Sports mode. Clunky gear changes? Not in my car, you must have had a duff one because you wouldn't know the engine was running. Thrashy engine noise? There is a growl when accelerating hard (and most reviewers have a tendency to wet themselves if they get a growl from the engine) and it sounds good to me. And then there's the acceleration, it isn't the greatest but then you wouldn't buy this car if you wanted to hurtle around town. Is it sufficient though? Damn right it is and putting your foot down kicks in the engine and off you go, plenty of power for driving around town. And before you say anything, I used to have a Supra 3L Turbo so I know what is out there. If there was a minus point it's the boot/luggage space but I didn't need it, shopping and a couple of suitcases is about the limit for me so it's fine. My advice to anyone - take one for a test drive, that's what sold me.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Glad you're enjoying it! Like you say, if you can charge it at night it's basically free motoring… ish

[@viliusr.8792]

Very neat car, congrats on the purchase! I do you have information on this 6 speed DCT is it same/reworked type from back ~2012?

[@brcak63]

Jag köpte idag. Fantastisk bra bil.

[@grigiobasi2751]

Can I use this car without additional recharging? I can't charge the car because I live in a flat and car stay in parking .But I'm looking for a hybrid car that can charge using recuperation

[@janpruijser8649]

Loved the intro! Good review as always.

[@danielbevan9024]

Saving this vid for later but eager to see the VRS update.

[@DontPanicDear]

All the exceedinglys just made me fancy an almond slice! I’m knocking this off my sensible family car fictional short list 👀 I do like the new KIA script though 👍🏻

[@CamiloMacaya]

This was the review for this car that I didn’t know I was looking for. Now im less decided yet at the same time impressed from many pros you mentioned. The only thing is, coming from the US and now living in Spain, I have a fear in buying American cars. They ALL breakdown. Yes, Im exaggerating, but still. It’s partially true, asian cars don’t break down like American cars do. So unless i’m leasing a ford with maintenance and warranty included for a reasonable price, I can’t see myself buying a car brand with that history. But if it’s cheaper and it has more space in the trunk and back seats😕. It makes it soo much harder to decide between these two🤦‍♂️

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Many in the UK do not have driveways only street parking so how do you plug these things in? I'm in a 12th floor apartment and the underground carpark doesnt have power points so I'm a bit screwed for EV.

[@DontPanicDear]

That’s pretty bad these days! Can’t even vacuum your interior! Building management just don’t give a XXXX 👀

[@Ben-oy1td]

Can’t you get a power point installed ? Leasehold ? Freehold ? Owner or tennant ?

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@Ben-oy1td Well anything is possible but considering my underground carpark is a solid concrete bunker installing things isn't simple and it's below waterline and prone to flooding. Then getting it past the body corporate who need to insure and risk mitigate it, the landlord who sure as hell isn't going to do it for free and that EV charging isn't a poxy hair dryer plug but a rather grunty deadly ampage outlet isn't cheap. So get over all that and its a few grand IF the building can cope. I have since moved so all of it would have been a complete waste of money. My new place has my car out near the road and no way of connecting a charge station regardless of cash, it's just not possible. The whole EV for everyone thing is complete BS. Cars of the near future will be only for the entitled and affluent, everyone else will be on electric scooters. Very much like how the scooter is the backbone of Asia today.

[@sorinmiliescu]

I don't know why, but this Xceed rear and side look reminds me of the first gen Porsche Macan

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I sort of get that

[@The-Salty-Bager]

I tried one of these and it was sooo slow and I am not a quick driver. It felt a bit like an engine from 15 years ago

[@mieszkooracz7370]

Very helpfull You Kimchi food :)

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Do you have an opinion on how we went from the annoyingly inaccurate NEDC figures to the utterly farcical WLTP? Especially when the USA has seemingly down to earth EPA figures. Couldn't we just use their test practices?

[@hobbsie147]

The biffins bridge of cars… 😉 Neither one thing or the other.. Great review of an uninspiring car though Tim It appears all their money and efforts has gone into the KV6 and beyond. Keep up the good work mate.

[@billsiviter9272]

Nonsense!

[@viliusr.8792]

good review, thank you for mentioning 6 speed box, I know that Kia had first DCT in 6 speed back in ~2014 when I bought my diesel ceed with 6 speed standard automatic (slow, not efficient, but bullet proof, after 8 years works like a charm). At that time it was known that 6 speed DCT (used only with lower torque petrol engines) is weak and prone to failures. I wonder if this XCeed has the same/updated box, I know its hybrid and even CVT's last in a hybrid, but wonder if this 6 speed "clunky" DCT is some new model or reworked model from 10 years ago - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rniQfpmVi6mUgrs.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I'm not sure tbh! Thanks for the kind words though

[@billsiviter9272]

The gearbox is not at all clunky he's talking through his arse!

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

12:21 Ok then 십자가 앞의 한국 것 sibjaga ap-ui hangug geos

[@andydurbs]

2030kg cramped 5 door hatch…makes no sense.

[@vladimirpejcic5488]

It is not EEEEXXXXX Ceed, it is XCeed.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It's actually Egg Seed

[@thegodofhellfire]

The KIA mediocre.