The Kia ProCeed is one of the more distinctive ways to combine the practicality of an estate car with the styling of a sporty hatchback. Rather than following the traditional boxy estate formula, the ProCeed uses a sleek shooting-brake design with a sloping roofline, giving it a much more distinctive appearance than many family estates.
The 2021 facelift brought updated styling, technology and engine options to the range, while Kia continued to offer the ProCeed with a generous level of standard equipment and its seven-year manufacturer warranty.
With prices starting at around £25,080 for the GT-Line, the Kia ProCeed was positioned against established family cars such as the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Ford Focus Estate, while offering a more unusual alternative to the conventional estate car.
So which version of the Kia ProCeed is the one to buy, and does its combination of style, practicality and equipment make it a genuine rival to the established competition?
The ProCeed is part of the wider Ceed family, a model developed specifically for the European market and first introduced in 2006.
The Ceed became particularly well known in the UK after appearing on BBC Top Gear’s reasonably priced car segment. The programme helped give the Ceed plenty of exposure, although its unusual name was arguably almost as memorable as the car itself.
Since those early days, Kia has transformed its European range. The Cee’d name was simplified to Ceed, while the styling and technology of the cars became considerably more sophisticated.
The Kia ProCeed represents perhaps one of the most interesting developments of the Ceed family. Instead of being a conventional estate, it has a lower, sleeker body and a more sporting character.
At the time of our review, the Kia ProCeed was available in three main specifications: GT-Line, GT-Line S and GT.
Each version had a slightly different approach, ranging from the well-equipped entry-level model through to the performance-focused GT.
The Kia ProCeed GT-Line was the entry point to the range, but it was far from a basic model.
For around £25,080, the GT-Line came with features including a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system, reversing camera, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. It also received 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting and distinctive GT-Line exterior styling.
Power came from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 158bhp, with a six-speed manual transmission available. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic was also available depending on specification.
The 1.5-litre engine offered a useful balance between performance and everyday running costs. It wasn’t intended to turn the ProCeed into a hot hatch, but with 158bhp it provided enough performance for normal family driving.
For buyers looking for plenty of equipment without paying for the range-topping versions, the GT-Line made a strong case for itself.
The Kia ProCeed GT took a different approach.
Priced at around £29,310 at the time of the 2021 facelift, the GT was powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 201bhp and 265Nm of torque. It was paired with Kia’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The GT also received 18-inch alloy wheels, sports styling, red exterior detailing and a more distinctive interior with red stitching.
Performance was considerably stronger than the GT-Line, with a 0-60mph time of around 7.2 seconds and a top speed of approximately 139mph.
However, the GT was still more of a warm estate than a full-blown hot hatch. Its extra performance came at a considerable price premium, so buyers needed to decide whether the additional pace and styling justified the extra expenditure.
The GT-Line S sat between the GT-Line and GT in terms of character, although its equipment list made it an extremely tempting choice.
It added features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof, leather and suede-style upholstery, a larger digital instrument display, a powered tailgate, upgraded audio equipment and additional driver-assistance technology.
For buyers who prioritised comfort and technology rather than outright performance, the GT-Line S could arguably be the sweet spot in the Kia ProCeed range.
It offered much of the visual appeal of the GT without requiring buyers to pay for the larger 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.
The Kia ProCeed has a noticeably sportier character than a conventional family estate.
The 1.5-litre model is best suited to everyday driving. Its turbocharged engine provides enough performance for commuting, motorway journeys and overtaking, although it doesn’t have the urgency of the 201bhp GT.
The GT is considerably more entertaining when the road opens up. Its 1.6-litre turbocharged engine delivers 201bhp and 265Nm of torque, while the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox allows quick gear changes.
The dual-clutch transmission is generally smooth during normal driving, although the gearbox and engine feel more at home when driven with some enthusiasm.
Selecting Sport mode sharpens the response and gives the Kia ProCeed a more purposeful character. However, the GT still isn’t designed to compete directly with genuinely hot performance estates.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Kia ProCeed is the way it combines its sporting appearance with everyday usability.
The suspension provides good body control through corners without making the car excessively uncomfortable. The lower, sleeker body also helps give the ProCeed a planted feel on faster roads.
On winding country roads, the ProCeed feels particularly well suited to its environment. It has enough grip and composure to make driving enjoyable while retaining the practicality expected from a family car.
Around town, its relatively large footprint and low roofline can make it feel less effortless than a smaller hatchback, but the reversing camera and parking technology help considerably.
Despite its sporting appearance, the Kia ProCeed remains a practical family car.
The shooting-brake design provides a useful boot with around 594 litres of luggage capacity, increasing to approximately 1,545 litres with the rear seats folded.
That gives the ProCeed a considerable advantage over many sporty hatchbacks. You can enjoy the more distinctive styling without giving up the ability to carry luggage, shopping or family equipment.
The interior is also well equipped, particularly on the higher trim levels. The GT-Line S adds equipment such as a panoramic sunroof, upgraded upholstery, digital instrumentation and a powered tailgate.
The ProCeed therefore manages to combine three qualities that don’t always appear together: practicality, comfort and sporting design.
The Kia ProCeed faced strong competition from established models such as the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Ford Focus Estate.
The Golf Estate offered a more conventional approach, with a familiar interior and strong reputation for refinement. The Ford Focus Estate was also well established, particularly for buyers who valued driving dynamics.
The Kia ProCeed’s main advantage was that it looked considerably more distinctive. Its shooting-brake design gave it a stronger visual identity than the average family estate.
The Kia also had another important advantage: its seven-year warranty. For buyers intending to keep the car for several years, that warranty could provide considerable reassurance.
The ProCeed wasn’t necessarily the obvious choice, but that was part of its appeal. It offered something different without requiring buyers to sacrifice everyday practicality.
For most buyers, the GT-Line was arguably the most sensible starting point.
It offered a strong equipment list, the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine provided enough performance for everyday use, and the lower purchase price made it easier to justify than the GT.
The GT-Line S was the choice for buyers who wanted additional luxury and technology. The panoramic sunroof, upgraded interior, digital instrumentation and powered tailgate made it particularly attractive as an all-rounder.
The GT was the model to choose for drivers who wanted the most performance and a sportier appearance. Its 201bhp engine gave the ProCeed considerably more pace, although the price premium and higher running costs meant it wouldn’t make as much sense for every buyer.
The Kia ProCeed is an unusual but convincing alternative to the traditional family estate.
It combines a sleek shooting-brake design with useful practicality, a well-equipped interior and a choice of engines that covers everything from sensible everyday motoring to genuinely brisk performance.
The GT-Line is the strongest all-round choice for many buyers, while the GT-Line S offers an appealing combination of comfort, technology and style. The GT adds significantly more performance for drivers who want something sportier.
The Kia ProCeed may not have the badge recognition of a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, but that can actually be part of its appeal. It offers something more distinctive while retaining the practicality expected from a family car.
For anyone looking for a stylish estate that doesn’t simply follow the crowd, the Kia ProCeed deserves serious consideration.
If you’re considering buying one as a used car today, our guide on how to buy a used car safely is a useful place to start. You can also browse used cars for sale on MotorHype.
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