Volkswagen Golf vs Kia Ceed: specs side by side
Quick comparison from catalog data — no editorial review of this pair yet.
Volkswagen · 2012–2021
Golf Mk7
- Power
- 63 kW86 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 11.9 s
- Top speed
- 179 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,205 kg
Kia · 2012–2018
Ceed JD
- Power
- 74 kW101 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- —
- Top speed
- —
- Kerb mass
- 1,254 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Golf Mk7 0 Ceed JD 1
- City Too close to call Length: 4,255 mm vs 4,310 mm
- Performance Ceed JD Power per tonne: 59 kW/t vs 52 kW/t
In plain words
Kia Ceed has more power: 74 kW (101 PS) against 63 kW (86 PS) for Volkswagen Golf. Kia Ceed is 55 mm longer than Volkswagen Golf (4,310 mm vs 4,255 mm). Volkswagen Golf is lighter by 49 kg (1,205 kg vs 1,254 kg). Volkswagen Golf is the older design (from 1974); Kia Ceed arrived in 2006. Volkswagen Golf is still in production; Kia Ceed is not. On the catalog figures, the Kia Ceed is the pick for performance. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Kia Ceed yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Golf Mk7 | Ceed JD |
|---|---|---|
| PI | C · 445 | C · 465 |
| Power | 30 | 34 |
| Grip | 40 | 40 |
| Handling | 72 | 71 |
| Top speed | 30 | 32 |
| Launch | 24 | 29 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Ceed JDCeed JD · 74 kW (101 PS) 17.48 sat 125 km/h
- 2 Golf Mk7Golf Mk7 · 1.2 TSI · petrol · 63 kW (86 PS) 18.00 sat 120 km/h · +0.52 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Golf Mk7 | Ceed JD | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,255 mm167.5 in | 4,310 mm169.7 in +55 mm +2.2 in +1.3% |
| Width | 1,791 mm70.5 in | 1,780 mm70.1 in −11 mm −0.4 in −0.6% |
| Height | 1,435 mm56.5 in | 1,470 mm57.9 in +35 mm +1.4 in +2.4% |
| Wheelbase | 2,631 mm103.6 in | 2,650 mm104.3 in +19 mm +0.7 in +0.7% |
| Kerb weight | 1,205 kg2,657 lb | 1,254 kg2,765 lb +49 kg +108 lb +4.1% |
| Boot | 380 l13.4 cu ft | 380 l13.4 cu ft |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs Golf Mk7 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Volkswagen Golf | Kia Ceed | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Golf Mk7 · 1.2 TSI · petrol · 63 kW (86 PS) | Ceed JD · 74 kW (101 PS) |
| Production years | 2012–2021 | 2012–2018 |
| Body | Hatchback | Hatchback, Station wagon |
| Country | Germany | South Korea |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 63 kW (86 PS) 84 hp | 74 kW (101 PS) 99 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 37–235 kW (50–320 PS) 50–315 hp | 66–150 kW (90–204 PS) 89–201 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 160 Nm 118 lb-ft Better | 134 Nm 99 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 11.9 s | No data |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 179 km/h 111 mph | No data |
| Power per tonne | 52 kW/t 64 hp/ton calculated | 59 kW/t 72 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,197 cc 1.2 l | No data |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual | No data |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,255 mm 167.5 in | 4,310 mm 169.7 in |
| Width | 1,791 mm 70.5 in | 1,780 mm 70.1 in |
| Height | 1,435 mm 56.5 in | 1,470 mm 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,631 mm 103.6 in | 2,650 mm 104.3 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,205 kg 2,657 lb Better | 1,254 kg 2,765 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 380 l 13.4 cu ft | 380 l 13.4 cu ft |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 50 l 13.2 gal US | No data |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 4.9 l/100 km 48.0 mpg US | No data |
| CO₂ | 113 g/km | No data |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,290/year estimated | No data |
| Range on a full tank | 1,020 km 634 mi estimated | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Fuel, Drive, Boot, Euro NCAP.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol.