TEST Kia Ceed vs. Ford Focus: best-selling mid-sized cars do exactly what you don’t expect

Both the Ford Focus and the Kia Ceed are quite popular in the Netherlands. Both models finished in the top 20 best-selling models last year; the Focus in 16th place, the Ceed just below in 19th place. The difference is only 189 registrations. So they are evenly matched in terms of popularity, but which car is the best if you test them extensively?

We are taking two petrol models. The Ford Focus enters with a 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder with 155 hp and mild hybrid support, the 1.5-liter engine of the Kia Ceed has four cylinders and is good for 160 hp. you don’t have to switch; the Focus has a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Kia a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Facelift Ford Focus

Last year, the Ford Focus received a facelift, after which it can go for another three years. It may well be his last three years, because it is increasingly said that he will not get a successor. Ford only wants to build models that can be released all over the world. And in the United States, a compact hatchback or station wagon is simply not popular.

Kia chooses to look at which cars are popular per continent. Ceed once stood for Communauté Européene European Design – a special design for the EU. The Dutch appreciate the Ceed as a good wine, last year it managed to break a Dutch sales record after fifteen years.

Ford Focus is ruimer dan Kia Ceed

With a length of around 4.60 meters, both cars offer sufficient space. Although you have to suffer a little more in the Focus because of the optional panoramic roof. The sense of space increases with the unobstructed view upwards, but the actual space actually decreases. It saves precious centimeters. You will notice the lesser headroom especially if you step into the Ceed after the Focus, where your crown is less likely to touch the roof. The Ford makes up for it with its excellent legroom in the back, the Kia has it behind.

In turn, the Kia retaliates with its slightly larger luggage space – that is, when you fold the rear seats. Then 1694 liters fit in, the Focus lags behind with 1653 liters. If you fold the couch back, the Focus is slightly more spacious with 635 liters, compared to 625 liters for the Kia. The Ford Focus does have more complete safety equipment.

Ford Focus is a better caravan tractor

It is clear that the Focus and the Ceed are evenly matched. With both cars you can open and close the tailgate automatically at the touch of a button or with a foot movement. It is a pity that the Ceed has a maximum payload of only 444 kilos, in the Focus you can carry 100 kilos more. The towing weight of the Ford Focus is also higher (1500 kilos vs. 1410 kilos).

Surprise: Ceed sportier than Focus

Ford is normally a sporty brand. It is therefore surprising that not the Ford Focus, but the Kia Ceed scores high with its driving characteristics. In corners, the Ceed Sportswagon barely leans and the amount of grip is impressive. Its excellent brakes deliver top performance. Our test team always performs the brake test ten times, and with hot brakes they even managed to come to a stop after less than 32 metres. On average, it reaches 33.3 meters, the Focus stops after 34.7 meters.

With cold brakes the difference is a lot bigger. The Kia Ceed also now impresses with 33.5 meters, while the delay with the Focus SW is up to 36 meters. That costs him so many points that he doesn’t stand a chance in the Driving Characteristics section. The faster time on the slalom and the precise steering can’t make up for that anymore.

You can read the full comparison test between the Ford Focus Wagon 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid and Kia Ceed Sportswagon 1.5 T-GDI DCT7 in Auto Review 03/2023.