The Kia XCeed has a higher ride height, a range of cheap-to-run engines and lots of kit as standard. There are more comfortable SUVs with better rear space, though.
Pros Eye-catching looks Good range of engines Well equipped as standard
Cons Bumpy in town So-so digital dials Limited back-seat space
On the styling front, Kia has done a fairly good job.Despite what the cladding may suggest, the XCeed is still front-wheel drive only. it’s a Ceed hatch that has been raised by 44mm to create an almost-crossover. We say almost, because Kia already sells the Sportage as a crossover and the Sorento as a full-size SUV.
Pros Better looking than a Merc GLA and comparatively much cheaper
Cons Do you really need a coupé-ified crossover hatchback on stilts?
If the design, ergonomics and credible dynamics of the most recent Ceed demonstrate that Kia should now be considered alongside any other European maker of mass-market hatchbacks, then the Xceed is the derivative perfectly tailored to the current tastes of European buyers.
Pros More satisfying to drive than the class average, with good steering Attractive appearance gives the Xceed a good measure of personality
Cons Low-speed ride exhibits hard edges, despite the raised ride height Expensive compared with some rival cars
Toyota has some excellent laurels on which to rest: a history of outstanding reliability and affordability are nothing to sneeze at, as are many of its past and current vehicles of high status. But that doesn't change the fact that it feels like Toyota is resting on its laurels with the 2019 Corolla.Corolla sedan carries over unchanged from last year
Pros Comes with a long list of standard convenience and safety features Plenty of room inside, especially in the back Sport seats remain comfortable after hours of continuous driving
Cons Acceleration is slow, even for this class Most interior materials feel cheap Fuel economy isn't great Rivals achieve the same with more power A snooze to drive
Pros Responsive CVT Comfortable front seats Roomy backseat Touchscreen graphics quality Estimated gas mileage
Cons Ride quality Steering feel Droning sounds from CVT Modest power at highway speeds Some low-grade plastic interior trim No Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is a fun choice as a hatchback, but we’d skip the sedan in favor of its competitors.
Pros Entertaining hatchback Spacious hatchback Well-equipped hatchback Good safety gear The hatchback, period
Cons Outdated sedan CarPlay only on hatch CVT can drone Shop the competition
