Kia Cerato 2004 review: snapshot

It's unusual given the Hyundai Elantra has been with us for some time now and is looking a little bit old hat especially when compared with Cerato.

Elements of the body are vaguely familiar in VW Passat and other Europeans and the overall effect yields one of the better looking cars this side 30 of grand.

The same applies inside which is light and airy two tone and easy to use apart from a misplaced handbrake that tangles with reverse gear selection.

Explore the 2004 Kia Cerato range

• Kia Cerato manual 2004 review
• Kia Cerato 2004 review
• Kia Cerato 2004 review: snapshot

Even the audio system came as a surprise in a car that sells for less then 19 grand drive away with air. It's pretty good offering solid bass, sharp treble and a good radio range, eclipsing audio in cars costing more than twice the money.

But then, the same applies to most aspects of Cerato – engine performance, ride and handling and quality of finish.

I have to say, Cerato took me by surprise after years of low expectations from this end of town.

Underneath the stylish skin is basically a generic Hyundai Elantra engine and gearbox but the Cerato seems better behaved than Elantra in terms of ride and handling due no doubt to a newly developed suspension.

The twin cam, 2.0-litre four cylinder engine cranks out a handy 101kW/182Nm with a five speed manual as standard and optional four speed automatic.

As you'd expect from a Korean product, standard equipment is prodigious with airconditioning, cruise, remote central locking, power and heated mirrors, power windows, mirrors and aerial and a six CD audio system all included in the package.

There isn't any ground breaking technology in Cerato but Kia has obviously expended plenty of time refining the car's various elements leaving little room for criticism but plenty for praise.

The ride and handling for example isn't sports car sharp but is a good compromise for everyday driving. The steering is well weighted, has a smallish turning circle and is not too direct while the chassis feels solid as a rock on rough roads.

There's plenty of room for four adults and the boot is large, housing a full size spare under the floor.

Fuel economy on test was about 9.0-litres/100km in mixed driving.

With a new Sportage just around the corner and Sorento already in the public domain, Kia is putting together a powerful argument in terms of quality products, to be a must consider on buyers shopping lists.