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with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports and Aux-in, and you also get smartphone mirroring, alloy wheels, cruise control and air-conditioning. Standard safety features include tyre pressure monitoring, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition and a speed limiter. My test model was the top-spec Cross Plus version with the 150 hp 1.3 litre turbo-petrol engine and automatic gearbox. Extra equipment includes larger wheels, reversing camera, LED headlights, sat-nav and connectivity features. This version is £24,420. The 500X is attractively styled and the interior trim
materials have had a quality-upgrade which delivers impressive cabin ambiance. I found the seating rather firm by class standards but the cabin is spacious with good head and leg-room for four adults. There are plenty of storage places around the cabin, including a
KIA XCEED
KIA DESCRIBES ITS NEW XCEED AS ‘AN URBAN CROSSOVER UTILITY VEHICLE’ THAT IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LARGER SUV MODELS AND IS MORE SPORTY AND PRACTICAL THAN A CONVENTIONAL HATCHBACK. That’s a tall order, yet you don’t have to be in the
Xceed for very long before you realise that Kia has pulled off this formidable feat. The new model is neat and nimble yet has a spacious interior, and it rides and handles very well. There is a choice of turbo-petrol
engines, a diesel unit which Kia says is its cleanest ever, and a hybrid version. There are three trim levels and my test model was the entry version with a 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine and 6-speed manual gearbox, priced at £19,975. Standard features include cruise
THE XCEED HAS SLEEK STAND-OUT STYLING WITH A LONG BONNET AND A NUMBER
OF SPORTY VISUAL ACCENTS
control with speed limiter, air- conditioning, powered windows front and rear, keyless entry, alloy wheels, digital radio, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring. Safety features include lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, forward collision assist and hill-start control. With 118 hp on tap, this engine is smooth and sweet,
delivering 0-60 mph in 10.9 seconds with a top speed of 115 mph. Average fuel economy is 45.6 mpg and emissions are 124 g/km. The Xceed has sleek stand-out styling with a long bonnet and a number of sporty visual accents. Inside, the cabin uses soft-touch materials with satin-chrome detailing, and a large ‘floating’ central touch-screen
stands proud of the dashboard. Seating is very comfortable even on long journeys and the car will accommodate five adults with ease. The boot space of 426 litres is among the largest in the class and can be expanded to a substantial 1,378 litres by folding the rear seats. The Xceed scores well for overall practicality and versatility, and out on
the road is also very impressive. Engineered in Europe, the suspension and steering combine to deliver an engaging and responsive driving feel and the ride quality is exceptionally good thanks to special hydraulic rebound stoppers which deliver a more compliant ride on poor surfaces. Kia has a strong reputation for its build-quality
and reliability, underlined by its industry-leading 7-year warranty. This new model cleverly bridges the traditional hatchback and compact SUV classes and seems set to attract many new buyers to the brand.
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large chilled glovebox. Boot space is a useful 350 litres, boosted to 1,000 litres by folding the rear seats. The elevated driving position gives good forward vis-
ibility and underway, the 500X has as easy driving feel. While the light steering is good for parking agility, the feedback at higher speeds is a little less precise though overall handling is still very good, as is the ride comfort. The 1.3 litre turbo-petrol engine has 150 hp, giving
a nippy 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds and top speed of 124 mph. Average fuel economy is 37.7 mpg with emissions 145 g/km. Rivals in the sector include the Renault Captur, SEAT
Arona and Citroen C3 AirCross but the 500X is a strong package and exudes the same engaging charisma and charm which helped make its smaller predecessor a worldwide success.
All quoted prices were correct at time of going to press
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