► We test the facelifted Kia Proceed
► CAR reviews the estate on UK roads
► Few engine choices for shooting brake
Kia might be shaking up the EV world, but the good old-fashioned hatchback still has a place, and the Ceed proves it, with more than 10% of Kias sold in 2024 coming from this model range. But these are penny numbers compared with what the Sportage SUV is doing these day – now firmly ensconced in the UK Top 10 bestseller’s list.
This facelifted shooting brake might be a niche product these days, but it still has appeal, as it rides the line between style and utility. Since its facelift back in 2023, its range was slimmed down, and now just sports a single 1.5‑litre, 158 bhp turbo petrol engine instead of the old 1.6.
Should you buy a Kia Proceed? It remains a stylish and distinctive choice, though grab the manual for the best experience.
Here’s how we test cars, and why you should trust us.
At a glance
Pros: eye-catching design, roomy boot, sharp handling
Cons: dual‑clutch gearbox jerky, downsized engine, less practical than estate
What’s new?
Kia facelifted the Proceed in 2023 to freshen its look and improve its appeal amid slow sales in the segment. With SUV appetite on the rise, this design-led wagon needed something special. The upgrade trimmed the engine from 1.6 to 1.5 litres and remodelled the front bumper, with sleeker fog‑light surrounds, ensuring it still stands out from the crowd.
Fast forward to now, and while the engine is smaller, styling tweaks keep its sleek profile intact. New rivals have since emerged, including more upright estate alternatives like the Hyundai i30 Tourer and Volkswagen Golf Estate, adding fresh competition to its niche.
What are the specs?
Under the bonnet sits a 1.5‑litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 158 bhp – smooth, efficient and compliant with Euro 6d‑Temp emissions standards. It replaces the previous 1.6-litre unit, offering acceptable 0-62 mph in 8.8 seconds. CO2 output and mpg are in line with C‑segment norms, though exact figures are best checked against EV‑hopeful hybrids.
Tech-wise, it shoulders Kia’s typical kit: 10.25‑inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, smart cruise control and panoramic sunroof on top trim. Safety features include lane‑keep and forward collision assist.
How does it drive?
The 1.5-litre has the sort of middling power and torque output that you’d expect for a car that is pitted against rivals like Volkswagen’s 1.5 TSi. No prizes for outstanding pace – middling is the name of the game here – but the turbo entry point is smooth and it’s largely an easy car to punt along.
Where it comes unstuck is the dual clutch gearbox fitted to our car. It’s easy to understand why Kia offers this as an option – long gone are the days when a manual was all that was needed. But the integration isn’t where it needs to be as it’s tricky to drive the Proceed smoothly. Even with a constant throttle pedal, the Kia still lurches and when it’s pulling out of a junction it feels like the clutch is slipping.
It’s better at motorway pace, where those small speed differentials aren’t so obvious, but around town – surely where an ‘auto’ should come into its own – it stumbles disappointingly.
The Proceed shares its architecture with the regular Ceed, with MacPherson struts up front, a multi-link rear axle and electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering. It’s a nice set-up, feeling meaty and responsive. Don’t expect it to relay every Tarmac nuance though.
Revisions from the Ceed hatch to Proceed shooting brake include a body lowered by 5mm, stiffer springs all round, and softer anti-roll bars to help keep the tyres in contact with the road. The body feels well lashed down in corners, with a taut ride that verges on the jarring at times. All the while the front wheels generate resolute grip – unless you’ve overdone it on the loud pedal and generated some torque steer.
What about the interior?
The driving position is great. The controls are largely familiar from the Ceed, with changes kept to a minimum. The 10.25-inch touchscreen lacks any form of wrist-rest, but rather than physical controls for the menu buttons (radio, media etc), these are now also touch controlled. To be fair, they remain outside of the screen itself, so are always available as shortcuts.
Thankfully, physical climate control buttons remain, as does the steering wheel button to turn off the lane keep assist. This is a good thing, as the Proceed’s lane keeping is one of the more over-zealous on the market.
The GT-Line S rides on 18-inch rims, whereas GT-Line cars get standard 17s. Standard equipment on our upper S includes a panoramic sunroof, electric windows all-round and smart cruise control. Bluetooth phone connectivity (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), automatic lights with high beam assist and keyless entry, plus lane keep assist and forward collision mitigation, are standard across the range.
The Proceed shares its wheelbase with its hatchback sibling. Two six-footers can sit inline with no knee rubbing on the driver’s seat back, and there’s sufficient headroom despite that rakish roofline. The electric tailgate swings open to reveal a wide boot stashing 594 litres of cargo – that’s only 31 litres down on the wagon. Pull handles enable you to drop the 40:20:40 split rear seats without having to wander round to the rear doors.
Before you buy
The Proceed is offered in two trims: GT-Line (manual) and GT-Line S (dual‑clutch auto). With just the 1.5‑litre engine, prices start from £27,125 for the GT-Line and rise to £32,585 for the GT-Line S at the time of writing. That’s a noticeable step up, but much of the difference is in the equipment levels.
Rivals include the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Hyundai i30 Tourer, and the pricier Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake, though the latter starts at around £37,000 and is about to be replaced. The Golf remains the best all-rounder, the i30 is great value, and the CLA is a style-led premium alternative.
Manual vs auto? Definitely stick with the six‑speed manual in GT-Line for a sharper, more rewarding drive. If you’re buying used, expect prices to range from around £9500 to £22,000, depending on trim and mileage.
Verdict
The Proceed remains a design statement. It’s unique, stylish and a rewarding drive in manual form, and like pretty much every estate car on the market, cruelly overlooked. Though its engine shrunk at the last facelift, and the auto is far from refined, it still delivers charm, character and capability.
Enthusiasts will gravitate to the manual GT-Line, while the auto leaves too much to be desired. With rivals now sharper, it may feel a little niche, but for those who prize looks and steering feel over SUV practicality, it’s still a surprisingly appealing pick. Shame it’ll be overlooked by most buyers in favour of the Sportage.