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Photo of a Kia Ceed

Kia Ceed

Kia's first Europe-designed car, with seven years of powertrain cover.1

Researched October 25, 2026 from 25 sources

Also called

  • Cee-apostrophe-dJeremy Clarkson's persistent pronunciation of the name on Top Gear.1
  • Reasonably Priced CarTop Gear's celebrity-lap role for the cee'd, replacing the Chevrolet Lacetti.2

At a glance

Engine
1.0–2.0 L gas; 1.4–2.0 L diesel; later 48V diesel and 1.6 L plug-in hybrid18
Layout
Front engine, front-wheel drive1
Gearbox
ED: 5/6-speed manual, 4-speed auto; later 6-speed manual/auto, 6/7-speed DCT16
Built at
Kia Motors Slovakia, Žilina, Slovakia; JD/CD also Avtotor, Russia1
Units built
First generation: about 646,300; second generation: about 647,7001

The story

Created for Europe in 2006, Kia's first wholly Europe-designed car was built in Žilina with a seven-year powertrain warranty. By the Mk2, the Cee'd gave Kia appeal beyond price.13

2013: 201 hp and a 500-car GT launch edition20132015: The millionth cee'd leaves Žilina · Three cylinders and a seven-speed DCT20152019: ProCeed becomes a shooting brake20192020: 48V diesel joins the lineup20202022: XCeed plug-in: 139 hp, 8.9 kWh20222026: Hatch and Sportswagon hand over to K42026 Kia Cerato / Spectra (LD): 2003–2007 (Europe)LDKia Cee'd (first generation) (ED): 2006–2013EDKia Cee'd (second generation) (JD): 2012–2018JDKia Ceed (third generation) (CD): 2018–presentCD 20052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones161217
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2003–2007 (Europe)Kia Cerato / Spectra (LD)
2006–2013Kia Cee'd (first generation) (ED)
2012–2018Kia Cee'd (second generation) (JD)
2018–presentKia Ceed (third generation) (CD)
2013201 hp and a 500-car GT launch edition
2015The millionth cee'd leaves Žilina
2015Three cylinders and a seven-speed DCT
2019ProCeed becomes a shooting brake
202048V diesel joins the lineup
2022XCeed plug-in: 139 hp, 8.9 kWh
2026Hatch and Sportswagon hand over to K4
  1. 2013

    201 hp and a 500-car GT launch edition

    The Pro_Cee'd GT brings 201 hp, a six-speed manual, stiffer springs and 300 mm front discs. Just 500 GT 1st Edition launch cars are made worldwide.14

  2. 2015

    The millionth cee'd leaves Žilina

    The millionth cee'd rolls out of Kia's Žilina factory in Slovakia in May.5

  3. 2015

    Three cylinders and a seven-speed DCT

    The facelift adds a 1.0 L turbo three-cylinder and seven-speed DCT; the 1.6 diesel rises from 126 to 134 hp and from 260 to 280 Nm.56

  4. 2019

    ProCeed becomes a shooting brake

    ProCeed trades the three-door format for a shooting brake with a 594 L trunk, joining Ceed and Sportswagon on the Žilina line.17

  5. 2020

    48V diesel joins the lineup

    The 1.6 Smartstream EcoDynamics+ diesel brings 48V mild-hybrid assistance to the third-generation lineup.1

  6. 2022

    XCeed plug-in: 139 hp, 8.9 kWh

    The facelifted XCeed keeps its 1.6 L plug-in hybrid: 139 hp, 265 Nm and an 8.9 kWh battery, with up to 30 miles of electric range.8

  7. 2026

    Hatch and Sportswagon hand over to K4

    Ceed hatchback and Sportswagon production ends in January as K4 takes over; ProCeed ended in December 2024, while XCeed continues.1

Every generation

  • Kia Cerato / Spectra
    LD2003–2007 (Europe)
  • Kia Cee'd (first generation)
    ED2006–2013
  • Kia Cee'd (second generation)
    JD2012–2018
  • Kia Ceed (third generation)
    CD2018–present
  • Kia K4 hatchback / Sportswagon
    Kia K4 hatchback / Sportswagon

Power over the years

From 89 hp to 201 hp in 1 year.

0100200300 201220142016201820202022 hp 2012 · 89 hp · JD 1.4 diesel2012 · 98 hp · JD 1.4 gas2012 · 108 hp · JD 1.6 diesel (108 hp)2012 · 126 hp · JD 1.6 diesel (126 hp)2012 · 133 hp · JD 1.6 gas2013 · 201 hp · Pro_Cee'd GT2015 · 118 hp · Facelift 1.0 T-GDi2015 · 134 hp · Facelift 1.6 diesel2018 · 138 hp · 2018 1.4 T-GDi2019 · 201 hp · 2019 Ceed GT2022 · 139 hp · XCeed plug-in hybrid2022 · 158 hp · 1.5 T-GDi GT-Line 201 hp Pro_Cee'd GT 89 hp JD 1.4 diesel
1456891011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
201289JD 1.4 diesel
201298JD 1.4 gas
2012108JD 1.6 diesel (108 hp)
2012126JD 1.6 diesel (126 hp)
2012133JD 1.6 gas
2013201Pro_Cee'd GT
2015118Facelift 1.0 T-GDi
2015134Facelift 1.6 diesel
20181382018 1.4 T-GDi
20192012019 Ceed GT
2022139XCeed plug-in hybrid
20221581.5 T-GDi GT-Line

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Cee'd / pro_cee'd / SW (ED)

    Standard

    Cee'd / pro_cee'd / SW (ED)

    2006–2013

  • Cee'd 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 4 Tech (JD)

    Standard

    Cee'd 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 4 Tech (JD)

    2012–2018

  • Special

    Cee'd SR7 1.4 petrol (JD)

    2015

    98 hp
  • XCeed / Plug-in Hybrid / GT-Line S

    Standard

    XCeed / Plug-in Hybrid / GT-Line S

    2019–present

  • Cee'd GT Line (JD)

    Standard

    Cee'd GT Line (JD)

    2015

  • Standard

    Ceed GT-Line / GT-Line S

    2019

  • ProCeed GT Line / GT

    Standard

    ProCeed GT Line / GT

    2018–2024

  • Ceed GT (CD)

    Performance

    Ceed GT (CD)

    2019

    201 hp

  • Special

    Ceed GT-Line Lunar Edition

    138 hp

  • Limited

    pro_cee'd GT 1st Edition

    2013

    201 hp

    500 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Facelifted ED five-door and SW: Tiger Nose grille; the three-door kept its earlier exterior.1
  • JD GT: red-edged intake, silver GT grille badge and ice-cube LED running lights.1
  • 2018 Ceed: four square ice-cube LED running lights sit inside the headlamps.9
  • ProCeed shooting brake: sloping roof, pointed chrome trim and large central tailgate lettering.7

Year by year

  1. 2013–2014 (GT)

    GT models add ice-cube running lights, red-edged front intake, side skirts, twin exhausts and 18-inch alloys.1

  2. 2015 facelift

    Revised front/rear bumpers and grille, new 16- and 17-inch alloys and LED taillights; GT-Line joins the three body styles.5

  3. 2018

    New-generation hatchback has a longer hood, flatter shoulders and cleaner sides; four square LED running lights sit inside its headlights.9

  4. By May 2022

    Reworked grille, tailgate and Kia badge; GT-Line adds front intakes, and some trims get more intricate taillight graphics.11

  5. 2022 XCeed facelift

    New LED headlights absorb the foglights; grille changes, slimmer LED taillights and a body-color rear diffuser accompany the new GT-Line S.8

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Kia Ceed
    Ceed
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class
    Mercedes-Benz A-Class

    Mercedes-Benz A-Class

    The 2018 Ceed has a similar horizontal shoulder line; check for its four square LED running lights inside the headlights.9

  • Photo of a Kia Ceed
    Ceed
    Photo of a Kia Ceed Sportswagon
    Kia Ceed Sportswagon

    Kia Ceed Sportswagon

    ProCeed has a lower roof and a rear window that lies much flatter; Sportswagon has the more upright tail.7

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $7.4K–$8.5K23

Price when newValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 201520202025 Value today: $7,400–$8,500 2013 · $31,192 · UK Proceed GT; £1~$1.562015 · $23,945 · UK SR7 1.4 petrol; £1~$1.532015 · $25,475 · UK SR7 Sportswagon; £1~$1.532018 · $24,515 · UK 1.0 T-GDI 2; £1~$1.342018 · $26,190 · UK 1.6 CRDi ISG 2; £1~$1.342018 · $28,267 · UK 1.4 Blue Edition; £1~$1.342018 · $35,979 · UK First Edition DCT; £1~$1.342019 · $35,187 · UK GT-Line S tested; £1~$1.282022 · $28,514 · UK XCeed 2; £1~$1.242022 · $37,194 · UK XCeed GT-Line S; £1~$1.24
4891415
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2013Price when new$31,192UK Proceed GT; £1~$1.56
2015Price when new$23,945UK SR7 1.4 petrol; £1~$1.53
2015Price when new$25,475UK SR7 Sportswagon; £1~$1.53
2018Price when new$24,515UK 1.0 T-GDI 2; £1~$1.34
2018Price when new$26,190UK 1.6 CRDi ISG 2; £1~$1.34
2018Price when new$28,267UK 1.4 Blue Edition; £1~$1.34
2018Price when new$35,979UK First Edition DCT; £1~$1.34
2019Price when new$35,187UK GT-Line S tested; £1~$1.28
2022Price when new$28,514UK XCeed 2; £1~$1.24
2022Price when new$37,194UK XCeed GT-Line S; £1~$1.24
2026Value today$7,400–$8,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “STARD's 330 hp cee'd TCR project”
    • “Police duty in Grace and Luther: The Fallen Sun”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. Kia Ceed - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Kia to supply Top Gear with Reasonably Priced cee'd | The Independent | The Independent independent.co.uk
  3. Used Kia Cee’d buying guide: 2012-2018 (Mk2) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  4. Kia Procee'd GT prices and specs | evo evo.co.uk
  5. Sportlicher, sparsamer, smarter: Überarbeiteter Kia-Bestseller cee'd startet Ende ... | Presseportal presseportal.de
  6. Kia cee’d (JD) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  7. Kia Romania | Masini noi Kia, Promotii si Oferte speciale, Dealeri si Service Kia kia.ro
  8. New Kia XCeed facelift gets £22,995 price tag | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  9. Need for Ceed: 2018 Kia Ceed first drive review motoringresearch.com
  10. 2019 Kia Ceed GT review – more bark than bite from this warm hatchback | evo evo.co.uk
  11. Peugeot 308 vs Kia Ceed vs Volkswagen Golf: 2022 group test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. Kia cee’d (ED) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  13. Kia Cee'd Hatchback (2006-2012) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  14. Kia Cee'd SR7 leads new value range firstvehicleleasing.co.uk
  15. Kia Ceed GT-Line S: long-term test review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. Introducing: Ceed GT-Line Lunar Edition | Furrows Kia furrows.co.uk
  17. Kia Cerato - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Kia Ceed GT review and pictures | evo evo.co.uk
  19. Top Gear's Reasonably Priced Car will be in Forza 4 - VideoGamer videogamer.com
  20. STARD unveils Kia TCR customer racing programme international.tcr-series.com
  21. Geneva 2018: Kia’s Gregory Guillaume on the third-gen Ceed | Article | Car Design News cardesignnews.com
  22. Hospice Car Turned TV Police Vehicle | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  23. Lot 2: Cars Lot Bidding Ends: Thursday 8th October 2026 at 10:02AM - Brightwells brightwells.com
  24. Used car guide to the Kia Cee’d - a hugely impressive family hatchback motorcheck.ie
  25. 1,547 used Kia Ceed for sale | AskCar askcar.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • independent.co.uk
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • presseportal.de
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • kia.ro
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • motoringresearch.com
  • firstvehicleleasing.co.uk
  • furrows.co.uk
  • videogamer.com
  • international.tcr-series.com
  • cardesignnews.com

Photo credits

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