Abstract CeO 2 –ZrO 2 oxides with different CeO 2 content (1–12 wt%) were prepared by the impregnation method. The effects of CeO 2 content, calcination temperature and interaction between the components on the structure and reductive properties of CeO 2 –ZrO 2 oxides were evaluated by using different techniques such as XRD, DRS, FTIR, Raman, XPS, TGA and TPR. Spectroscopic data showed that the tetragonal phase of zirconia is preserved in all CeO 2 –ZrO 2 oxides, although they retain a high number of defect sites caused by a strong interaction between zirconia and cerium oxide species. An enrichment of the zirconia surface with a fluorite structure of CeO 2 is observed for the CeO 2 –ZrO 2 oxide with the highest CeO 2 content (12 wt%). The samples subjected to consecutive reduction–oxidation cycles at different temperatures showed good redox properties related to the increase of oxygen mobility. It was concluded that these CeO 2 –ZrO 2 oxide systems, displaying high surface and good thermal stability, are similar to chemically mixed oxides due to the strong interaction between the zirconia carrier and deposited ceria.