Kia Cerato 2019 pricing and specs confirmed

Kia Motors Australia (KMAu) now offers a hatchback body style for its popular Cerato small car as well as sporty GT variants to top the sedan and hatch ranges.

Pricing for the hatch mirrors the sedan, offering driveaway pricing starting from $19,990 for the entry-level S with a six-speed manual gearbox, while a six-speed torque-converter auto commands a $1500 premium.

The rest of the range is an automatic-only prospect, with the mid-range Sport and Sport+ grades priced at $23,690 and $26,190 respectively, and the new top-spec GT hits showrooms at $31,990.

However, the GT swaps out the six-speed for a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle-shifters and a 'Sport' driving mode.

The GT also benefits from a hotter engine, swapping out the standard 112kW/192Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine for a 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged unit.

Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4 (auto) to 7.6 (manual) litres per 100 kilometres for the 2.0-litre variants, or 6.8L/100km for the smaller-capacity, higher-output GT.

From standard, the Cerato is equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, front 280mm ventilated brake discs, dusk-sensing halogen headlights and daytime running lights and heated side mirrors.

On the inside, the entry-level sedan and hatch features an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-speaker sound system, a 3.5-inch multi-information display, two USB ports, air conditioning, cloth seats and manual six-way driver-seat adjustment.

Standard driver-assist tech includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, cruise control, a manual speed limiter, driver attention alert, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist and a tyre pressure monitor.

Moving up to the Sport, and the Cerato gains 17-inch alloys, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, illuminated vanity mirrors and a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear selector.

The Sport+ benefits from LED daytime running lights, auto-folding side mirrors, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-appointed seats with front heating, radar-based AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control.

As of October 2018 production, the Sport+ sedan and hatch feature blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

For S and Sport customers who wish for additional spec, a Safety Pack is available for $1000 which bundles in the Sport+'s driver-assist features as well as the leather-trimmed steering wheel and auto-folding mirrors.

The GT steps things up a notch, boasting 18-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, 305mm front ventilated brake discs, LED headlights and tail-lights, a sportier bodykit, gloss-black side mirrors and dual exhaust tips.

Interior features include an eight-speaker JBL sound system, 4.2-inch multi-information display, a wireless smartphone charger, leather-appointed sport seats with front ventilation, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, perforated flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy sports pedals.

To enhance driving dynamics, the GT has bespoke power steering and suspension calibrations, with the latter seeing a 5mm drop in ride height and an independent multi-link system at the rear rather than the standard torsion beam setup.

The car comes standard in Clear White paint, however seven other colours are available at a $520 premium.

2019 Kia Cerato hatch and sedan list pricing

Variant	Transmission	Price
Kia Cerato S	manual	$19,990 driveaway
Kia Cerato S	automatic	$21,490 driveaway
Kia Cerato Sport	automatic	$23,690 driveaway
Kia Cerato Sport+	automatic	$26,190
Kia Cerato GT	automatic	$31,990

Will the Kia Cerato hatch be able to match the sedan in popularity? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.