Nother CarGuy

The all-new Kia Ceed family has become bigger with the introduction of the first-ever XCeed. Billed as a compact crossover, it’s based on the hatchback and looks like a jacked up version of it. However, that’s not entirely the case because aside from the front doors, every other body panel is new. The vehicle sports longer front and rear overhangs, by 25 and 60 mm (1-2.4 in), respectively, it’s 26 mm (1 in) wider and has an extra 42 mm (1.7 in) of ground clearance compared to the Ceed hatchback. At 2,650 mm (104.3 in) long, the wheelbase remains identical to the rest of the Ceed models. The rest of the exterior has been beefed up (visually, at least) with plastic cladding, a more arched roofline behind the B pillars, different lighting units, restyled bumpers, updated grille and silver roof rails. You can choose from 12 exterior colors including the new Quantum Yellow that’s unique to the XCeed, and two wheel sizes: 16- and 18-inch. The cabin layout has mostly been carried ...

Kia’s crossover family is about to get bigger with the introduction of a Ceed-based model. Unofficially called the XCeed, it has been teased for the first time, with the image obtained by Largus revealing a sleek – but obviously, non-realistic styling for the jacked-up hatchback, as the production model won’t be as near impressive as the sketch implies. If we know one thing about design sketches is that automakers tend to make everything more dramatic. Thus, we have the sloping roofline, an aggressively-penned rear end, wide wheel arches and, of course, some generously-sized wheels. Also, the traditional side mirrors have been left out of the equation and there are no door handles present either. The final production version is quite different, with the XCeed looking like the regular Ceed, albeit with an increased ground clearance, plastic cladding and skid plates, as well as redesigned bumpers. The exterior proportions of the car will place it against the Ford Focus Active and ...