The Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is a rarity in the compact family car class, offering the virtues of a stylish, well-equipped crossover vehicle, combined with the efficiency and low emissions of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
No matter which version of the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is chosen – ‘3’ or ‘First Edition’ – the equipment list is generous. The ‘3’ grade features 16-inch alloy wheels and black cloth seat trim with black faux leather bolsters and powered lumbar support for the front seats. The ‘First Edition’ grade comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and Black Leather Seat Upholstery with Faux Leather Door Centre Trim. All versions feature privacy glass and rain sensing front windscreen wipers.
At the heart of the dashboard is Kia’s new 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen system, including a satellite navigation system, European mapping and a Traffic Messaging Channel. Also included is DAB radio with MP3 compatibility and Kia’s new UVO CONNECT telematics system. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. The infotainment system allows smartphone users access to both Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM, and it is Bluetooth® multi connection-enabled, allowing occupants to connect two mobile devices at once for hands-free phone calls and music streaming.
Other equipment includes a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear parking sensors. Heated front seats and steering wheel are also included, along with an electric parking brake (EPB), front passenger seat height adjuster and a smart entry system with engine start/stop button.
Safety has been given a high priority with six airbags (front, side and curtain with front passenger cut-off switch), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist – City and Pedestrian (FCA) all included as standard.
The ‘First Edition’ grade sits at the top-of-the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid range and features a Smart Park Assist System (SPAS) that integrates front and rear parking sensors with the ability to automatically park in parallel or perpendicular spaces. There are black leather seat upholstery, heated outer rear seats and a driver’s seat with memory function, meanwhile, the rear seats fold down, with a 40:20:40 split. An enlarged 12.3-inch TFT supervision cluster display comes fitted to the ‘First Edition’ grade, along with a panoramic sunroof with tilting/sliding function and automatic electric roller blind. Aluminium pedals, smart powered tailgate, a personal LED light and wireless mobile phone charger are all included, too. Extra safety systems include a Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Intelligent Speed Limit Information Function (ISLIF) and Lane Following Assist (LFA).
In its EV mode, the Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid is capable of travelling up to 36 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to recharge the battery pack to 100 per cent using a 3.3kW AC charger.
The Kia XCeed ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’ Plug-in Hybrid models are available to order now from showrooms, with the first examples set to arrive here in the UK during April 2020.