To save fuel and deliver responsive handling in everyday driving, new Kia cee'd retains Kia's Motor Driven Power Steering system (MDPS). This electric power-assisted rack and pinion steering has relatively high gearing, requiring just 2.69 turns of the wheel from lock-to-lock. This system gives a fuel saving of 3% compared to conventional hydraulic assistance.

Although the steering hardware is carried over, the steering effort is reduced. A new Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) programme is introduced with improved electronic communications between the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system and the MDPS steering controller. The VSM reduces the amount of assistance if the driver is applying too much steering effort - and increases assistance if the driver is applying too little effort.