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KiaCee'd (2012-2018)

Used only
Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£4,758Typical price

Test score

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The Kia Cee'd, launched in second-generation form in 2012, marked a huge leap in quality from the model it replaced. Kia's medium-sized family hatchback is now in the same league as the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. Updated in 2015, is it a worthwhile investment? Read our full review to find out.

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the Kia Cee'd (2012-2018)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Mar 2016First reviewed by Which?
May 2012Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Model reliability 5-9 years

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Full hybrid reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£4,758 - £11,214
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	44.1 to 47.9mpg
Length	4,310mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,780mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,045 to 2,055mm
Height	1,430 to 1,470mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.4 m
On sale date	21 May 2012
Lowest pence per mile cost	£13.67

Latest tested engine
Engine name	1.0 T-GDI 120 GT Line
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1-litre (120hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	53 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	13.67p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£76
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	134
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	161
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	600kg
Engine test date	03 March 2016
Test programme	2012-2016

Engine two
Engine name	Pro Cee'd 1.6 GDI ISG Spirit
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (135hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	53 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	14.61p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£76
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	144
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	173
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1400kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	600kg
Engine test date	07 August 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine three
Engine name	1.6 GDI Spirit DCT
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (135hp)
Transmission	6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	53 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	14.85p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£76
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Extremely High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	146
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	175
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1300kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	600kg
Engine test date	30 July 2012
Car test programme	2012-2016

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KiaCee'd (2012-2018)

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