KIA is expanding its line up of electrified vehicles with plug-in hybrid versions of the Ceed Sportswagon and XCeed compact SUV coming on stream in April.

The newcomers, priced from £30,695 for the XCeed and £29,995 for the Ceed estate, bring to seven the number of electrified models currently in the Kia range.

Both the new plug-ins are powered by a 1.6-litre GDi engine combined with an electric motor and 8.9kWh battery pack to produce 139bhp.

The powertrain is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch auto transmission and each of the cars feature exclusive design features to differentiate them from other petrol and diesel models in the XCeed and Sportswagon line-ups.

There's a new closed ‘tiger-nose' grille at the front of the car to aid aerodynamic efficiency and feature distinct ‘eco plug-in' exterior badges. The charging port is integrated into the left front wing of each car.

Inside, there's the same driver-oriented dashboard, low seating position and everyday ergonomics of the existing Ceed line-up.

However, the new plug-in hybrid models feature a range of new functions including a charging indicator, a visual aid to tell owners that their car is charging or when the battery is fully-charged. Its location on top of the dashboard means drivers can instantly ascertain the car's state of charge at a glance from outside the car for instance, when it is parked on the driveway at home and the owner hasn't left the house yet.

Both cars offer Kia's new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system with Kia's UVO Connect telematics. Unique to the new plug-in hybrid variants, the systems incorporate new functionality to help owners locate available charging points in their vicinity, or en route to their navigation destination.

The screens can show relevant information relating to the powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels in the battery and energy usage graphics. Owners can use the touchscreen system to schedule when their vehicle should charge when plugged in at home, enabling owners to take advantage of cheaper off-peak energy tariffs.

The instrument cluster features special displays for the plug-in hybrid powertrain, displaying remaining charge levels, anticipated electric-only range and the flow of energy between the battery pack, engine and electric motor.

As a plug-in hybrid, the Ceed Sportswagon's luggage space is reduced from 625 litres to 437 litres and 1,506 litres with the rear seats folded.

Luggage capacity in the Kia XCeed is 291 litres, down from 426, and 1,243 litres with the rear folded down. Both models will be available with a Towing Pack for towing trailers as standard - unusual among such hybrids.

Standard on the Kia XCeed First Edition is a new instrument panel which replaces conventional dials with a high definition display.

A ‘driver only' heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system - activated with a new button on the dashboard - de-activates airflow to all cabin vents except those nearest the driver to reduce the draw on battery energy from the ventilation system.

In its EV mode, the Kia XCeed plug-in hybrid is capable of travelling up to 36 miles and takes two hours and 15 minutes to recharge the battery pack to 100 per cent using a 3.3kW AC charger. The Ceed estate has an EV range of up to 37 miles with similar recharging times.

The two models represent the latest stage of Kia's electrification strategy and are the first plug-in models to be built by the brand in Europe, made exclusively at the Slovakian factory in Zilina.

Kia's seven-year/100,000-mile warranty is offered as standard on both models, extending cover to include the new powertrain's battery pack and electric motor.