Kia XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon are out in the plug-in hybrid guise

MANILA: Launching electrified vehicles in the form of pure EVs or hybrids, and electrifying the existing portfolio has become one of the major points in automakers' to-do list these days. Following the suite, Kia has launched the electrified versions of the XCeed and the Ceed Sportswagon. Both of the South Koreans cars now come housing a plug-in hybrid powertrain and join the likes of the Kia Niro, Soul, and Sportage in the automaker's electrified lineup.

The all-new Kia XCeed and Ceed Sportswagon are powered by a 1.6-litre GDi gas-fed engine that works in tandem with a 44.5 kW electric motor and an 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack. The combined power figures read 139 bhp of maximum power and a peak torque of 265 Nm. Unlike other hybrids vehicles which feature an electronic continuously variable transmissions (e-CVT), the Kia XCeed and Ceed Sportswagen are equipped with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (6DCT). Also present is standard regenerative braking technology that enables the new plug-in hybrid models to recharge the battery pack by accumulating kinetic energy during coasting or braking.

Speaking of the all-new Kia XCeed PHEV, the hybrid car will be offered in two different models namely - "3" and "First Edition". The crossover gets dual-zone automatic climate control, electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear parking sensors with a reverse camera and dynamic guidelines, heated front seats, electric parking brake (EPB), heated steering wheel, smart entry with push-button start/stop. While the model "3" rides on16-inch alloy wheels and gets black faux leather, the "First Edition", on the other hands, shows off large 18-inch units and is propped with black leather.

The Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid can do 58 km on electric power alone. Moreover, charging from to 100% takes 2 hours and 15 minutes using a 3.3kW AC charger. As for the Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV, the practical South Korean car will only be offered in a solitary "3" variant. Equipment on the Ceed Sportswagon PHEV includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-function LED headlights, LED DRLs, LED taillights, sporty roof rails, black cloth seat trim, leather-wrapped gearshift and multifunction steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, drive mode select, smart entry with push-button start/stop, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cruise control & speed limiter.

59 km is what the Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV can do on electric power alone. A 3.3kW AC charger can charge the battery pack from 0% to 100% in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Both the Kia XCeed "3" and the Kia Ceed Sportswagen "3" models feature a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system with Kia’s UVO Connect telematics. The system is also equipped with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and also supports Bluetooth multi-connection. The Kia XCeed "First Edition" flaunts a larger 12.3-inch TFT unit. Other exclusive features on the XCeed "First Edition" are a wireless smartphone charger, aluminium pedals, panoramic sunroof with tilting/sliding function and automatic electric roller blind, and a powered tailgate.

On the safety front, both the Kia XCeed and the Kia Ceed Sportswagen highlight six SRS airbags (front, side, and curtain with front passenger cut-off switch), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with city and pedestrian detection, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), High Beam Assist (HBA), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW). On top of the standard safety features, the Kia XCeed "First Edition" also gets Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW), and Intelligent Speed Limit Information Function (ISLIF).

The all-new Kia XCeed and the Kia Ceed Sporstwane will be produced at the automaker's Slovakian factory in Žilina. Kia has already opened the order books, while the deliveries in the UK will commence from April 2020. A seven-year 100,000-mile warranty will be offered as standard on both models. Guessing the price? Don't stress. While the Kia XCeed starts at £30,695, the Kia Ceed Sportswagen carries a price tag of £29,995.

Also Read: Kia year-on-year sales grew by 124% in 2019