The Kia ProCeed (also spelled as Pro_Cee'd) is a C-segment or compact car, which first appeared in 2006 as a 3-door or 5-door hatchback, and as a 5-door shooting brake in the current generation. It is part of the Kia Ceed lineup, a range of front-engined, front-wheel-drive models that also include a 5-door station wagon and a 5-door crossover SUV.

The Ceed name of this range is significant to the South Korean carmaker because it marked a milestone - the production of the first-ever European Kia model. To celebrate it, Kia Motors named this first model as the Ceed, also stylised as CEED or Cee’d. The idea was to use the initial letters in “European Economic Community” (EEC or CEE) and “European Design” (ED) resulting in CEEED. Kia's think tank, however, decided that too many E's didn't look good, which gave way to the shortened CEED or the contracted Cee’d. The current name stands for Community of Europe with European Design.

The Ceed succeeded the Spectra and Cerato. The hatchback and shooting brake versions were initially named as either Pro Cee’d or Pro_Cee’d. Current generations are marketed simply as ProCeed or Proceed, ditching the torturously-styled names of the early releases.  

Kia initially intended to market the Ceed in Europe exclusively, but 2014 saw the 3-door Proceed released in Australia. 

First Generation: ED (2006–2012)

Miklós Kovács' team in Frankfurt, Germany designed the first generation. Over 646,000 Ceed wagons and hatchbacks were produced from Kia’s Žilina Plant in Slovakia. It was fully-loaded with safety and convenience equipment, passing the stringent standards of the Euro NCAP with a 5-star rating for the safety of adult occupants (2009 Ceed). The model, which came fitted with six airbags as standard equipment, received maximum points for side-impact and pole testing. However, the scores for child occupant and pedestrian's safety were not as impressive, at 4-star and 2-star, respectively. 

Kia provided a choice of five trim levels, four engines (petrol and diesel), and manual or automatic transmission for this generation. In 2010, the Ceed also donned the Schreyer- designed Tiger Nose corporate grille, replacing its initial horizontal-bar grille design. 

Second Generation: JD (2012–2018)

In 2012, the all-new Schreyer-designed Ceed (code: JD) premiered at the Geneva Motor Show. Kia built on the Ceed’s initial success, coming up with a more sophisticated, better-equipped, and mechanically-enhanced version. 

Approximately 647,000 Ceed hatchbacks and wagons were produced in this generation between 2012 and 2018. From this generation was Kia’s first attempt at a hot hatch, the performance-oriented Pro_Cee’d GT, the only Ceed that Kia sold in Australia. 

ProCeed GT

Kia released the 3-door ProCeed GT in 2013 and the 5-door Ceed GT the following year in Europe. The release of this version marked another set of firsts for Kia – the first European-style performance-oriented car built by a Korean manufacturer and the first Kia vehicle powered by a turbocharged engine to be marketed in the UK. 

In Australia, the ProCeed went on sale in 2014 until 2016, with two models on offer – the ProCeed GT and the more equipped ProCeed GT-Tech. Both models were equipped with a 1.6-litre T-GDi Gamma petrol engine (150 kW, 265 Nm) paired with 6-speed manual gearbox and covered by Kia’s 7-year warranty with unlimited km. This engine, which could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, is the same one used in the Hyundai Veloster turbo version but slightly retuned. 

The two models are mechanically identical and differ only in their equipment.

• GT – 3-door/5-seat; dual front/head/side airbags, ABS, automatic climate control with dual-temp zones, remote anti-theft alarm, roof-mounted antenna, alloy sports pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels, brake assist, body kit, cruise control, multipurpose centre console box, child sear anchor points, ISOFIX chair anchors, dusk-sensing headlights, EBD, flashing emergency brake lights, heat exterior mirrors with puddle light, ESP, front fog lights, glove box cooler, hill holder, engine immobiliser, leather-accented seats, leather gear knob and steering wheel, parking distance control rear, rear spoiler, rain-sensing wipers, reversing camera, auto-dimming rearview camera, rear window demister, and a whole lot more
• GT-Tech – 3-door/5-seat; 1.6-litre petrol engine (150 kW, 265 Nm) paired with 6-speed manual gearbox; adds adaptive headlights, headlight washers system, keyless entry and drive, lights on the exterior door handles, power sunroof, and satellite navigation

The ProCeed GT is more agile and responsive than the standard ProCeed courtesy of its modified suspension. The exterior exhibits the sleek lines and bodywork of the standard Ceed but with the added muscles of the GT body kit and rear spoiler. The front bumper displays an expansive air intake, glossy black Tiger Nose grille with GT badge in silver, and LED ice-cube DRL in quad formation. The car rides on 18-inch alloy wheels. 

The ProCeed’s interior feels luxurious with Recaro seats in red-stitched leather and suede, TFT instrument cluster, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and gear knob. 

Automotive journalists reviewed it positively, many praising its quickness around corners and grip on winding roads. It also received criticisms for its lower speed and higher fuel consumption and CO2 emission compared to Ford Focus ST and its other rivals in the market. 

Third Generation: CD (2018–present)

Kia went on to produce the third-generation Ceed, officially presenting the wagon version in 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show. The ProCeed, currently a 5-door shooting brake, had its debut in October 2018 at the Paris Motor Show. Kia also launched the XCeed, a 5-door crossover SUV in the same year. However, this generation has yet to make its way here, the last ProCeed being the second generation sold way back in 2016. 

The ProCeed was a well-received sport-styled car in Australia, albeit for only a brief period (2014-2016). If you own one and need parts to repair it, feel free to browse our website for car parts and accessories advertised by sellers from all over Australia.

By Jeannette Salanga (JMSL)