Kia Cerato Reviews

Kia is rapidly gaining recognition in Australia as a designer of stylish cars built to a high standard.

It's nice when a car company responds to feedback. Kia's Cerato Koup has always been a good looking thing but has needed some go to justify the show.

It's not turbocharged and it doesn't have red brakes. It's not European or Japanese and only a decade ago its name would be rained on by ridicule.

Kia Cerato has become more visible on buyer radars in the last year or so, primarily because of its excellent new styling.

Kia's handsome Cerato has both bases covered with 1.8 and 2.0-litre engine availability.

Kia has launched the third generation of its Cerato five-door hatchback into the most crowded of all market segments in Australia. In recent years this South Korean carmaker has evolved into a producer of world class products with modern styling and high build quality.And there’s a touch of Europe in the lines of the new Cerato hatch, which is also wider, lower and has a longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs than the outgoing model.The $19,990 price of the entry-level Cerato S hatch is the same as that of the four-door sedan that was introduced back in April. Though it’s listed as being ‘plus on-road costs’, Kia in Australia is doing an introductory ‘driveaway’ offer, so the car is yours for $19,990. To be honest there are so many cars in this segment that don’t charge extra on-roads the Kia would have missed out on sales by not doing this.New Kia Cerato is well-equipped, with even the lowest cost S model getting cruise control, Bluetooth; Auxiliary and USB sockets; and steering wheel mounted controls.The mid-level Cerato Si gets 16-inch alloy wheels, smart key with push-button starting, chrome highlights on the body, a more upmarket interior trim; 4.3-inch display screen, a reversing camera and automatic headlights.Topline Cerato SLi has 17-inch alloys of a neatly sporting design, LED daytime running lights front and rear, leather trim, heated front seats with the driver's being powered, and dual-zone climate-control.Interestingly, satellite navigation isn’t standard on the Cerato SLi as had been anticipated. The importer reasons that many people already have a portable satellite navigation. So satellite navigation is on the options list, but only for the SLi, at $1000.Kia Cerato comes with a five year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Capped price servicing is offered for the five years or 75,000 km. Prices are different for each service and model, ranging from $261 to $496. We suggest contacting your Kia dealer for details.The gen-three Cerato features new petrol engines that trim fuel consumption and emissions in comparison to the superseded Cerato. The entry level Cerato S has a 1.8-litre unit producing up to 110kW of power and 178Nm of torque.The mid-level Cerato Si and topline SLi get a sophisticated direct-injection 2.0-litre petrol engine with 129kW and 209Nm. That torque figure is impressively high for an engine of this capacity, putting it up with the expensive German marques in efficiency. All three models offer a choice of manual or automatic transmission, both are six-speed units.Safety is strong on the list of items specified for Australia buyers. The Cerato hatch boasts a full five star ANCAP rating, with Electronic Stability Control with traction control, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist; Emergency Stop Signal that activates the hazard lights under hard braking. Front and rear parking sensors prevent minor damage in tight situations. Six airbags prevent damage to people in major situations.The new Cerato, like all of the latest Australian Kia models, has considerable local input in the suspension department. It has an impressively smooth ride over corrugated roads.Handling is predictable and keen drivers will find there’s more feel and response in the Cerato that in most of its competitors from Asia. European it’s not, but this South Korean hatch comes a lot closer than you might expect.Some may find the ride firmer than they like, the endless compromise between ride and handling sees Cerato lean in the latter direction. Try for yourself by making sure your personal road test includes some rough and ready backroads.The all-new body has a solid feel that’s almost up there with the best of its European rivals in this class, with no squeak or rattles even on some pretty ordinary back roads we traversed during a Kia organised drive program out of the Gold Coast as part of the national launch.Though it’s classed as a small car in Australia, the Cerato five-door hatch really is a mid-sized machine that can be used as a family car. There’s enough legroom for four adults to sit comfortably, although it’s best if the rear occupants aren’t of above average height because Cerato’s sloping rear end does will infringe on headroom.This third generation Cerato is well worth consideration by all shopping in this increasingly crowded market segment.

Kia has shifted its assault on the fiercely competitive small car class into second gear with the arrival of the new Cerato hatch, four months after the sedan made its local debut.Building on the already celebrated sedan, the new hatch matches its four-door brethren on price and spec levels, and Australia’s preference for five-door practicality fuels Kia’s expectation that the hatch will attract 70 per cent of mainstream Cerato sales.The niche-market Cerato Koup and Veloster-rivalling Pro cee’d GT will arrive by early next year to complete Kia’s small car artillery, but the Cerato hatch will likely be Australia’s small-car Kia of choice.The third-generation YD Cerato hatch replaces the TD generation hatch that has continued to be available alongside the new sedan, and brings fresh design, impressive specs and visual appeal to help it continue the Korean brand’s recent run of winners.The Cerato hatch’s sedan-mirroring price and spec levels mean the entry S kicks off at $19,990 (drive-away at launch), before moving up to the $23,990 Si and $27,990 SLi range-topper.All Cerato hatch models come equipped with air conditioning, cruise control, flex-steer adjustable power steering, front and rear parking sensors, six-speaker audio with Bluetooth audio and telephone. Also across the board is Kia’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, capped price servicing plan, and one year roadside assistance to help make a compelling ownership proposition.The Si adds a premium steering wheel and gearknob, 4.3 inch colour multimedia touchscreen with reversing camera, extra chrome exterior detailing, auto headlamps, folding door mirrors with puddle lamps, proximity keys, and 16 inch alloy wheels.The top-spec SLi gains leather trim with front seat heaters and power memory driver’s seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control, power sunroof, HID headlamps, LED daytime running lamps and taillamps, auto-dimming rear view mirror, chilled glovebox, and 17 inch alloy wheels. Satellite navigation is only available as a $1000 option on the top-spec SLi models, which also brings a seven inch multimedia screen.Matching the Cerato sedan from the B-pillars forward, the hatch rides on the same 2700mm (50mm longer) wheelbase as the sedan improving rear seat legroom by a similar margin. The back seat is a genuine adult-carrier, with plenty of space for legs and heads beyond the six-foot barrier.Overall length is 210mm less than the sedan due to a shorter rear overhang, which also sees seats-up cargo capacity drop by 97 litres to 385L (VDA), which should easily be balanced by the real-world practicality of the hatch’s huge opening. Impressively, all models are fitted with a full-size spare wheel that is surrounded by under-floor storage cavities.The body’s increased use of high-strength steel compared with the previous hatch has resulted in a body that is 37 per cent stronger, yet 44-61kg lighter depending on spec. The hatch is not simply a bobtail sedan though, with a cohesive overall aesthetic that complements Kia’s existing designs, and even the basic S grade looks quite muscular from a rear three-quarter view.The hatch also matches the sedan’s engine lineup, with the S equipped with a 110kW/178Nm 1.8 litre petrol four, and the Si and SLi grades moving up to a 129kW/209Nm 2.0 litre direct injected petrol four.A six-speed manual is standard on all Cerato hatch models, with a six-speed auto available for a further $2000. The Cerato hatch’s combined fuel consumption figures are equal with the sedan, despite weighing 20kg more. This means 6.6l/100km (manual) and 7.1l/100km (auto) for the 1.8 litre S, and 7.4l/100km for the 2.0 Si and SLi variants with either transmission.Like the sedan, the Cerato hatch has achieved a five star ANCAP safety rating, with six-airbags, stability and traction control, and hill-start assist.The Cerato hatch is barely discernible from the sedan to drive, which is no bad thing. Significantly quieter and smoother than the previous hatch, the new Cerato’s construction has an air of quality that easily rivals the segment-leading Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and the mechanically similar Hyundai i30.We had the chance to drive both 1.8L and 2.0L Cerato hatches, paired with the six-speed automatic transmission over a good mix of sealed road conditions, ranging from urban stop-start to high-speed bumpy rural ribbons of road.The 1.8 litre drivetrain proved adequate for hauling the circa-1300kg hatch over much of our route, but its meagre 110kW/178Nm made uphill acceleration and overtaking a chore. The 129kW/209Nm 2.0 litre offers far more relaxed progress over the same terrain, and would be a wise choice if you intend to use the hatch’s five seats with any regularity. The six-speed auto attached to either engine shifted smoothly and responsively, with none of the pronounced tendency to hold taller gears for fuel efficiency of some contemporaries.Like other recent Kia models, the Cerato hatch benefits from local suspension tuning, which is immediately apparent when the road turns rough. Carefully chosen damper rates help to maintain comfort and control in these conditions – a situation no doubt also aided by the hatch’s ‘wheel at each corner’ wide-track stance.The Kia Cerato hatch is certain to win many hearts on the Australian market. Like the Cerato sedan, the hatch is a value package that also boasts refinement, practicality and quality, with design appeal from all angles.

From every angle the all-new Kia Cerato sedan displays a sleek, almost futuristic look, but the low sporty appearance belies the fact that there is more space inside the passenger cabin than in the previous model.Despite being lower, the new Cerato sedan (a hatch is due to arrive in Australia midway through August) is longer and wider and has a longer wheelbase.Even with the sporty roofline head room has been improved up front by lowering the seat hip line, there’s also more leg room and occupants can spread their wings into increased shoulder space. Overhangs front and back have been trimmed, yet the boot is bigger than before and takes up to 420 litres of cargo.Kia Cerato sedan comes in three specifications – S, Si and SLi – all with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, the S hooked up to a 1.8-litre four-cylinder multi-point fuel injected (MPI) engine, while the Si and SLi enjoy the extra boost of a 2.0-litre gasoline direct injection (GDI) motor.Fuel consumption during our week’s test was in the high fives and low sixes on the open road, but 11 to 12 litres per hundred kilometres around town. A generous 50-litre fuel tank has the Cerato comfortably cruising more than 600 kilometres between fill-ups.The six-speed automatic transmission features fully automatic operation or Sport mode engaged by moving the lever towards the driver when in Drive. Not many drivers ever use this feature, but it’s there for those who like to have a say over what gear the car is in. The steering wheel has tilt-and-rake adjustment. Instruments and controls are purposefully directed at the driver.Active safety items include electronic stability control and vehicle stability management that works with the ESC to provide ‘corrective’ steering inputs to help the driver avoid loss of control, especially on mixed wet and dry road surfaces, front corner and rear parking sensors. Passive safety sees the car with are six airbags and the Cerato has been given a four-star Australian NCAP rating.All Cerato sedans have projector-style headlamps, powered front and rear windows, keyless entry, cruise control, trip computer with external temperature display, and front corner and rear parking sensors. Connectivity is by a USB/iPod compatible radio/CD player with six speakers and Bluetooth hands-freeCerato Si adds 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior highlights, electric folding door mirrors, automatic headlights, rear seat air vents, a 4.3-inch touch-screen audio system with LCD display, push button start and smart key and a reversing camera.We were most impressed with the solid feel of the gen-three Kia Cerato. It’s almost as good as many European cars. The new Cerato, like all Kias of the latest models sold in Australia, had a considerable amount of local input in the suspension and steering. While some of the early Aussie-modified Kias can be on the firm side, this new Cerato is impressively smooth in its ride, even over badly corrugated roads.This added comfort may be due to the fact that the suspension guys have backed off a little on the sportiness of the Cerato. Resulting in handling that is safe rather than exciting. Which is what typical buyers expect from a car in this class.Noise, vibration and harshness have been minimised by a stiffer body shell and new vibration-damping front subframe mountings. The rear parcel shelf and cargo bay have insulating filling. In addition, the front side chassis members, A-pillar and side sills are filled with acoustic foam and there is a dynamic damper fitted to the shorter of the front drive shafts.The electric power steering has three settings to match customer preference with Normal, Sport and Comfort modes, the effort required to turn the wheel varies with mode, while the number of turns lock-to-lock remains the same. It’s hard to go past Comfort mode for day-to-day city driving.Storage is good, thanks to a glovebox that’s grown by 30 per cent, front door pockets capable of holding a 700-ml bottle and rear door holders for 500-ml bottles. The centre console incorporates a covered two-litre multi-box, ahead of the gear lever, twin cup holders, behind the gearshift and on the rear centre armrest a 5.6 litre box between the front seats. Soft-touch materials further enhance cabin surroundings.Though style is likely to be the big talking point in the new Kia Cerato sedan, there’s a lot more to be considered. It has decent handling that’s tuned for Australian drivers and roads, it’s well equipped and sells at a highly competitive price.

Kia Cerato S and Nissan Pulsar ST go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Kia Cerato and Mitsubishi Lancer LX go head-to-head in this comparative review.