Garage
ENES
Car finder

Comparisons

Volkswagen Golf Mk5 vs Kia Ceed I: specs side by side

Report an error

Quick comparison from catalog data - no editorial review of this pair yet.

Volkswagen Golf Mk5

Volkswagen · 2003–2009

Golf Mk5

B PI 557

Power
125 kW170 PS
0–100 km/h
7.9 s
Top speed
220 km/h
Kerb mass
1,346 kg

Photo: Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kia Ceed I

Kia · 2006–2012

Ceed I

C PI 499

Power
90 kW122 PS
0–100 km/h
-
Top speed
-
Kerb mass
1,275 kg

Photo: Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Add a third car

At a glance

Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.

Categories won: Golf Mk5 2 Ceed I 0

  • Family Too close to call Boot: 350 l vs 340 l
  • City Golf Mk5 Width: 1,759 mm vs 1,790 mm
  • Performance Golf Mk5 Power per tonne: 93 kW/t vs 71 kW/t

In plain words

Volkswagen Golf Mk5 has more power: 125 kW (170 PS) against 90 kW (122 PS) for Kia Ceed I. Kia Ceed I is 31 mm longer than Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (4,235 mm vs 4,204 mm). Kia Ceed I is lighter by 71 kg (1,275 kg vs 1,346 kg). Volkswagen Golf Mk5 has the bigger boot: 350 l against 340 l. Volkswagen Golf Mk5 is the older design (from 2003); Kia Ceed I arrived in 2006. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 is the pick for city and performance. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Kia Ceed I 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.

Race Stats side by side
StatGolf Mk5Ceed I
PIB · 557C · 499
Power 48 39
Grip 48 40
Handling 70 71
Top speed 46 37
Launch 43 37

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. 1 Golf Mk5petrol · 125 kW (170 PS) 15.76 sat 141 km/h
  2. 2 Ceed I1.6 (122 PS) · petrol · 90 kW (122 PS) 16.52 sat 133 km/h · +0.76 s

Race them in 1CARS Race →

Size and weight

Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.

Golf Mk5 · Ceed I
0 m1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m1 m0 ft1 ft2 ft3 ft4 ft5 ft6 ft7 ft8 ft9 ft10 ft11 ft12 ft13 ft14 ft15 ft16 ft17 ft18 ft1 ft2 ft3 ft4 ftWheelbase 2,578 mmWheelbase 8 ft 5 inLength 4,204 mmLength 13 ft 10 in1,465 mm4 ft 10 inWheelbase 2,650 mmWheelbase 8 ft 8 inLength 4,235 mmLength 13 ft 11 in1,480 mm4 ft 10 in
Golf Mk5Ceed I
Length 4,204 mm165.5 in † 4,235 mm166.7 in +31 mm +1.2 in +0.7%
Width 1,759 mm69.3 in † 1,790 mm70.5 in +31 mm +1.2 in +1.8%
Height 1,465 mm57.7 in † 1,480 mm58.3 in +15 mm +0.6 in +1.0%
Wheelbase 2,578 mm101.5 in † 2,650 mm104.3 in +72 mm +2.8 in +2.8%
Kerb weight 1,346 kg2,967 lb 1,275 kg2,811 lb −71 kg −157 lb −5.3%
Boot 350 l12.4 cu ft 340 l12.0 cu ft −10 l −0.4 cu ft −2.9%
Fits a standard garage? YesYes

Difference vs Golf Mk5 (±). 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. † from another version of this generation.

Size comparison to scale: Front and top views, inches →

Full specifications

Volkswagen Golf Mk5Kia Ceed I
General
Version petrol · 125 kW (170 PS) 1.6 (122 PS) · petrol · 90 kW (122 PS)
Production years 2003–2009 2006–2012
Body Hatchback, Station wagon 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. 125 kW (170 PS) 168 hp Better 90 kW (122 PS) 121 hp
Power, all versions 55–147 kW (75–200 PS) 74–197 hp 66–105 kW (90–143 PS) 89–141 hp
0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. 7.9 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. 220 km/h 137 mph No data
Power per tonne 93 kW/t 113 hp/ton calculated Better 71 kW/t 86 hp/ton calculated
Engine and transmission
Fuel Petrol Petrol
Dimensions and weight
Length 4,204 mm 165.5 in † 4,235 mm 166.7 in
Width 1,759 mm 69.3 in † 1,790 mm 70.5 in
Height 1,465 mm 57.7 in † 1,480 mm 58.3 in
Wheelbase 2,578 mm 101.5 in † 2,650 mm 104.3 in
Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. 1,346 kg 2,967 lb 1,275 kg 2,811 lb Better
Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. 350 l 12.4 cu ft 340 l 12.0 cu ft
Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. 55 l 14.5 gal US No data
Economy and running costs
Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. 7.3 l/100 km 32.2 mpg US No data
CO₂ 174 g/km No data
Fuel cost per year €1,920/year estimated No data
Range on a full tank 753 km 468 mi estimated No data
Safety
Euro NCAP ★★★★★ (2004) ★★★★★ (2007)

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. † from another version of this generation.

Photo credits