2009 Kia Cerato Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Kia Cerato Koup as a used buy.

Graham Smith reviews the used Kia Cerato and Koup 2009-2013, their fine points and flaws and what to watch for when you are buying them.

Kia Cerato is a small-to-medium South Korean model that has been overshadowed in the past by its big brother Hyundai's i30 and Elantra (Kia is controlled by Hyundai these days). However, when the ultra-stylish third-generation Cerato was launched in Australia in April 2013 buyer interest increased. Sales lifted immediately and quite a few of the third generation cars are starting to appear on the used-car scene.The South Korean car makers are coming up with some excellent lines, and the Cerato is arguably up with the best of them. Interestingly, much of the design work is being done by Europeans.The Cerato first arrived in Australia in July 2004, these earlier models were the first to really benefit from Kia's determination to improve build quality and are generally trouble free if they have been driven and serviced correctly.As well as improving quality, Kia Cerato also continued the Korean marque's emphasis on the sort of good on-road behaviour that appeals to Australian drivers. The first two generations were good without being great, the third generation car is almost up with the Europeans' driving dynamics. The suspension is reasonably supple, although rough Aussie country roads can occasionally trouble it. Noise and vibration are well damped, particularly in the latest model.Kia Cerato is sold as a four-door sedan and five-door hatch. The sedans were often introduced before the hatches so there was on overlap of new and old bodies at times.Though it's technically listed as a small car in Australia, the Cerato is actually pretty large and interior space is good. There are no headroom problems front or rear. It also passes the four-adult test for rear legroom without those in the front seats having to compromise to any real extent. As is usually the way in this class in Australia, the Cerato is generally used by families with small children, something it handles with ease.Most Kia Cerato models are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This gives it enough power and torque for most owners, but some would like a bit more grunt to match the dynamics of the chassis, particularly on the most recent model.The Cerato from April 2013 has a new design 1.8-litre engine in place of the old 2.0. It provides more performance and uses less fuel whilst doing so. Definitely our pick of the powerplants if your budget is up to it.Five-speed manual gearboxes were used until they were replaced by a modern six-speed unit late in 2010. The latter is an excellent unit with a good feel through the lever and a wise choice of ratios.Four-speed automatic transmissions, fitted prior to March 2011, do a reasonable job, but you will find them hunting up and down for the best ratio at times. Far better is the six-speed auto, installed from 2011.Kia Ceratos have quite a simple mechanical layout and can be serviced and repaired by good amateur mechanics. Don't forget to buy a workshop manual.Spare parts and professional repair costs are reasonably priced.Kia dealers are mainly in metropolitan areas, but some of the bigger country towns now also have agents.Insurance is usually costed in the bottom third of the premium scale and we haven't seen any big variations from company to company. However, it's always worth shopping around, just make sure your making a fair comparison.While the Kia Koup, introduced in September 2009 carries Cerato badges it is generally regarded as a different model. It's an interesting car with an unusual shape and we love the fact it's called a Koup rather than a Coupe.Former crash damage usually shows up as ripples in body panels, colours that don't match correctly and even wheels out of alignment. If you're in the least bit unsure call a professional.Look for body damage in areas such as the rear bumper which often gets scarred by people carelessly resting stuff on it while loading the boot.Check that the engine starts easily and idles smoothly pretty well straight away. Ideally the engine should be started stone cold first thing in the morning.Gearboxes that are noisy and/or sticky in their changes may be due for major repairs.Automatics should go into gear almost at the moment you move the selector.Handbrakes can be over adjusted causing premature pad wear on the rear brakes. You may feel and hear the pads rubbing slightly on the discs during your test drive.Fuel remote release cables can stretch making it difficult to open the flap.Some Ceratos had audio unit failures, check the full range of modes in the system to be sure everything works correctly.Incorrectly serviced variable valve timing units can fail due to poor oil quality blocking the oil passage. As always, we suggest having a vehicle serviced by a professional, preferably one with people trained on the vehicle type.

Kia Cerato Koup, usually known simply as the Kia Koup comes from the lets-have-fun-with-names department of the ambitious South Korean car maker.

Once a thriving segment, the budget sports car market had shrunk almost to the point of extinction when Kia launched its budget-priced Kia Cerato Koup in 2009.

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

New car fashion is often fickle. Take coupe models for example — they have been in and out of favour just like the length of hemlines, the width of ties or height of heels.  Coupes were in, then out and now they are coming back, thanks to an unlikely ally.The demise of the coupe market in recent years saw the loss of some players which came big in soul — like Toyota's Celica, Mitsubishi's Lancer, Hyundai's Tiburon and Honda's two-door Civic.  But there are always companies willing to take a punt on fashion. Korea's Kia, which is reinventing itself with a more youthful look, has spotted the gaps in the market and, confident its market research is right, has boldly filled the gap.Enter the Koup, the coupe with a K, which was launched in September and has already notched up a modest 150 sales across the country.  That's small bickies in the scheme of things, but those sales are nevertheless important for the Korean brand as it diversifies its model range with niche models like the funky Soul.With the Cerato-based Koup Kia has kept to its winning formula of offering a stylish model, extensively packaged and sharply priced and all protected with one of the best warranty programs in the business. So the message here is the Koup comes big on value.The Koup is the brand's first two-door; pricing has been set at $23,690 (plus on-road costs) and what you get as standard kit for the money embarrasses plenty of better known brands.  Standard equipment includes rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, power windows and mirrors, climate controlled air conditioning, fog lamps, alloy pedals, leather bound steering wheel with audio controls, a half decent audio system with MP3 input and USB port, tinted glass and cruise control.On the safety front, the Koup has six airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control and active head rests to reduce whiplash injuries. The only options are a four-speed automatic transmission for $2000 and metallic paint ($400).For now it comes standard with a five-speed manual; a six-speed isn't far away. The 2-litre petrol four-cylinder is the same motor in the Cerato. With variable valve timing, the motor is good for 115kW and 194Nm of torque. But peak performance comes high on the tacho. Maximum power isn't achieved until 6200 revs, while top of the torque curve is at 4300rpm.While Koup's muscular styling, which was penned in California, is stunning, especially in its bright Racing Red paintwork, the driving experience doesn't quite match the looks.  At low-to-mid rev range the Koup is perky enough to satisfy most buyers — providing they are not expecting real sportscar performance. But the engine needs to be revved to give of its best and the test car suffered from an overly light clutch so driving smoothly was a challenge. Kia claims a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 9.3s which is modest.On most roads the Koup surprises with its sharp steering, balance and grip plus a comfortable ride but that falls away once out on country roads with lumpy surfaces which shows up the weaknesses in the McPherson strut/ torsion beam axle suspension.  We couldn't get close to Kia's claimed combined fuel consumption of 7.8l/100km of regular unleaded, returning a thirsty 11 to 12l/100km for mainly city driving.No problems however about the distinctly European styling, nor the spacious cabin. Even access to the rear seats, which can be a tight squeeze in coupes, is not a problem.  The Koup will never be a big seller, but it has the sporty image the Koreans desperately need.

Timing is everything in the car industry. Which means the arrival of Kia's two-door Cerato-based coupe - called the Koup - is primed to take over where the Hyundai Tiburon and Holden Astra three-door have left off.The Koup will also slide into a segment long since deserted by the likes of the Honda Civic coupe, Lancer coupe and the much loved Toyota Celica. Kia Australia's national marketing manager, Steve Watt, says the car fills a void with its $23,690 starter price and its more responsive handling will win buyers looking for something extra.Like the handsome sedan upon which it is based, the coupe was designed by Kia's global design chief Peter Schreyer. However the frameless two-door gets a more aggressive grille and flared mudguards to complement its sportier look.Drivetrain The coupe shares the sedan's 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, five-speed manual and underpinnings but the only common exterior sheetmetal is the bonnet. With many rivals moving to six-speed manuals, Kia is also working on adding an extra cog.A six-speed automatic is expected to arrive towards the end of next year but in the meantime the four-speed automatic, which is expected to account for most sales, has been reworked for sharper shifts.In the US the two-door is available with a more powerful 2.4-litre four cylinder engine but this engine is not available for right-hand drive markets. The original showcar also boasted a direct-injection 216kW/390Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder, which Watt says Kia would love to have but it is not yet available."Engine development and more hard-core, high performance isn't in our lineup at the moment, but certainly we know those technologies are in the pipeline," he says. "We know direct injection is in the pipeline. "We're definitely developing engaging engine packages going forward." Watt believes there is a place for a low-cost coupe in the small car segment.Equipment and fit-out The Koup grabs features from the up-spec SLi sedan, including six airbags, stability control, sports seats, parking sensors, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, alloy pedals and trip computer.To distinguish it from its four-door cousin, Kia has added five-spoke 17-inch alloys, alcantara-style upholstery, sports exhaust, black grille and vertical-style foglights.Compared to the sedan, the Koup sits 10mm lower, is 50mm shorter and has a 60mm lower roofline but retains the sedan's 2650mm wheelbase. This means cabin and boot space is comparable. The boot has room for 358 litres of luggage. The lower roof, shortened boot and sweeping shoulder line provide a strong on-road presence and from any angle the Koup looks good.Because of its competitive pricing, Kia Australia's national sales manager, Alan Crouch, expects some leakage from SLi sedan buyers because the two-door is just $500 more. A special edition pack, with leather and a sunroof, is expected early next year.Sales and market Watt says Kia research shows that many hatch buyers and coupe buyers are similar. "We actually think we can conquest sales from people looking for a hatch alternative," he says. "There aren't a lot of competitors in this market." Like the Soul, Watt expects Koup sales to be modest. "But like the Soul, it is a bold statement for the brand," he says.DrivingAfter a quick glance at the Koup, we suspect Kia Australia will have to revise its sales forecast. After driving it, we'd put money on the company selling more than the expected 600 a year. Not only does it look good but the suspension and steering tweaks will win enthusiasts who possibly have not even considered a Kia previously.It will also provide a place to go for those people hanging on to their old Celicas and Lancer coupes. On the road, the modest tweaks to the Koup's suspension and steering transform its on-road behaviour. The car has been developed for Australian conditions and changes to the suspension have improved the ride handling and the steering feel.There is a thicker front stabiliser bar, firmer damping and the steering rack ratio is quicker for better turn-in. You can throw the Koup into corners and it will remain flat and secure. The steering is meatier and feels better connected to the road. The tighter body also feels more substantial even though it is 20kg lighter than the sedan.The 2.0-litre Theta engine, shared with some Hyundais, is revvy and surprisingly capable in the smartly packaged two-door. In the higher rev range the new sports exhaust delivers a deeper note than the sedan. Even though the engine outputs remain the same as the sedan, the 2.0 does not feel underdone and most owners will appreciate the compromise between power and economy.However, we suspect the much-talked about turbocharged engine would add some icing on the performance cake. As the Koup shares the sedan's wheelbase, there is plenty of cabin room and the presentation, quality and standard equipment will embarrass some rivals.The large doors open wide and both front seats tilt and slide in one motion to allow easy access to the rear seats. Because of its shortened body, the boot opening is narrower than the sedan but the load-through versatility is still useful.The cabin's piano black console is smart and the car comes well equipped with MP3 compatibility and Aux/USB inputs with iPod compatibility. The sports seats are comfy, supportive and again lift refinement and quality levels. Like the sedan, it has a 60/40 split fold rear seat to increase luggage space.The Koup also benefits from the 2010 model year upgrades to the sedan, with better trim and cloth inserts on the doors. Perhaps the only complaint is that even on the lowest setting the driver's seat cushion still feels too high. Like the sedan, the five-speed manual is a tad notchy and the clutch action too light for a car with such sporty pretensions. However, the Koup is a strong indicator of where Kia is going - building competent distinctive cars with mass appeal.Kia Koup Price: from $23,690 (auto $25,690)Engine: 2.0-litre CVVT four cylinder, front wheel drivePower: 115kW at 6200 revsTorque: 194Nm at 4300 revs Transmission Five-speed manual (four-speed automatic)Economy: 7.8 litres/100km (combined), 6.1 litres/100km (highway), 10.7 litres/100km (city)

After unexpectedly launching the novel Soul, Kia is again chasing the youth market with a pretty and price-competitive coupe based on its Cerato sedan. The Cerato Koup comes to Australia in September with a 2-litre engine and a price that could start around $25,000.It is Kia’s first two-door coupe and reaffirms Kia’s attention to move along a younger and more dynamic path compared with the more traditional and mature, family-friendly road being used by its associate company, Hyundai.Kia international public relations manager Michael Choo says the company has changed its brand positioning first set in 2005. “Previously it was a nice car at a reasonable price and now it’s an excellent car with special value,” he says. “We have no intention of hanging around at the lower end of the car market ladder. We now aim to climb the premium ladder with an accent on youthful and dynamic features, so moving away from the direction being taken by Hyundai.”The Cerato Koup uses the Cerato sedans 2650mm wheelbase though the body is 50mm smaller and the roofline is 60mm lower. Korea will make it with at least three petrol engines — 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4 litre four cylinders. It could even get a V6.But Australia — for the moment — gets only the 2-litre with the choice of a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox choice. Later, a six-speed automatic will be available. The 2.4 will only be sold in the US. However, pressure on Kia at the Koup’s launch may make it available in other markets, including Australia.Kia claims the Koup’s firmer suspension and different steering tuning makes it a sharper drive than the sedan.No surprises that the Cerato Koup shares many driving similarities with the Cerato sedan on which it is based.But there has been some effort placed on firming the ride to improve handling and give the Koup a better relationship with the asphalt. For one, it has less bodyroll through the corners and the steering appears to be sharper.The differences are marginal but go a long way to convey the impression that the experience of driving a Koup has, or may have, an element of excitement.This is enhanced by the tactile sense of seats with good lateral support and the visual sense of the Koups sports nature reflected by the two-tone dashboard — red and black in the test car’s case — and leather stitched seats.And then it all stops.Australia from September gets the Koup with a 114kW 2-litre engine and the choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed auto. I drove the auto and unfortunately that while it is a good general purpose package, it is short on any thrill and for someone in a hurry, will see-saw between disappointment and frustration.Thankfully there is some reprieve in the sequential manual mode of the gearbox that will allow the free-revving engine to sing out each gear. Using the box manually also improves performance into and out of corners which, in turn, reveals that it’s not a bad little handler.Kia quotes a 0-100km/h time of 9.3 seconds and economy of 7.5 litres/100km for the manual transmission models. The auto is claimed to accelerate to 10km/h in 10.5 seconds and get 7.6 l/10km Spirited driving with three adults aboard through the mountainous area south-east of Korea’s capital Seoul returned 10.2 l/100km, so Kia’s data for a single-occupant car is plausible.But it all could be better. Kia is sending a 2.4 litre (an engine that is also used in product as diverse as the Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire and Hyundai Sonata) to the US market in the Koup. Australia needs the same engine, preferably with the forthcoming six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. Then the pretty and eye-catching shape of the Koup will have some muscle.In saying that, the success of the Koup will be driven by marketing and the styling will probably sell its socks off.It will seat four adults (because it shares the wheelbase with the generous cabin dimensions of the sedan) and only tall occupants in the back will hit their heads on the roofliner.All other features are similar to the sedan, though the dash is better arranged and the boot is a fraction shorter. The fold-down split rear seats make it flexible for cargo.Kia Australia expects to sell the Koup for around the $25,000-$27,000 markYou’d buy this for its style, not necessarily its power. 

It boasts revamped styling, good value for money and the backing of one of the best warranties in the business.The downside: you also still get what you pay for, so in the Cerato you will find some hard plastics, doors that don't feel solid and a ride which gets a little untidy on gravel roads.Mind you, the same can be said of many of its rivals. So the tip here is admire the value and enjoy the features but understand this is not a prestige car — despite Kia's advertising, which implies it could be.But Kia (and stablemate Hyundai) have improved far beyond their past reputation as “cheap, nasty, unsafe rubbish” (to quote some buyers to whom I suggested Korean brands recently0.I'll concede that when badges from Korea first launched here decades ago, they had a steep learning curve to try and match the quality and finesse of the Japanese, which itself went through the same exercise long before that. And the newcomers from China that are on the way will no doubt face the same marketing challenge.The truth is, nowadays the Koreans can play with the Japanese on a level playing field. Now that may surprise, many but Kia has been quietly kicking some important goals lately. And its latest Cerato sedan – launched at the start of the year — is a shining example.For a start the car is larger, deliberately looks European rather than Korean (the bloke who designed it was a German who also gave us the VW Beetle); the pricing is sharp, and the car comes loaded with most of the equipment buyers want.The $18,990 entry model gives you six airbags and anti-lock brakes as standard, but not the all important electronic stability control or traction control, so you can see how Kia kept the price well under the $20,000 barrier.You do get a five-speed manual (a four-speed auto is an extra $2000), air conditioning, 15-inch steel wheels, power mirrors and windows, remote locking, MP3 compatibility, USB input and sunglass holder.You can tick the box for the optional safety pack for $1000 which adds ESP, traction control, cruise control and remote audio controls on the steering wheel and is well worth the money.The top-flight SLi version which is the pick of the two, starts at $22,990 for the manual and comes with the full raft of safety features, alloy wheels, cruise, rear park assist, climate controlled air conditioning, trip computer and fog lamps.As for the warranty: try five years with unlimited kilometres for peace of mind in case you still had some concern about the badge.The Cerato's cabin is refreshingly different from what Kia has offered before. While the plastics are still hard-looking and hard-feeling, the cloth upholstery and black and polished alloy look to the dashboard is modern and smart.The cabin also gets ticks for being spacious, reasonably comfortable for four (five is a squeeze) and having a roomy boot. The rear seat folds flattish (by pulling a couple of levers in the boot itself). Annoyingly, the car locks itself once under way.Power comes from a 2-litre, four-cylinder with the test car fitted with the standard five-speed manual, handicapped by a super lightweight clutch which made smooth changes sometimes difficult. Most buyers would opt for the optional sequential four-speed auto which has plenty of gap between the ratios and was designed with fuel economy not performance in mind.That can't be said for the manual we drove. The fuel consumption, according to the car's trip computer, returned an average of 11.4l/100km. I didn't believe it and reset it, only to get a similar reading, although it did drop to 9.2l/100km on the highway which is still not impressive. Kia quotes an official figure of 7.9l/100km so something was amiss.I like the Cerato. No, it's not perfect but it’s honest and has more going for it than not. It is comfortable, offers loads of space and has an impressive sound system.Its performance is better than some in this family-sized class, and while the engine feels perky the Cerato doesn't pretend to be a sprint car.It gives its best at lower revs where the torque can work its magic. Higher up the rev range nothing much happens apart from added engine and wind noise.In most driving conditions — the daily fight in commuter traffic or cruising the highway — this newcomer is pleasant enough, but the driving experience is tarnished by the overly-light clutch which makes smooth starts at traffic lights a hit or miss affair. Even though it only has an old fashioned four-speed auto, that's the transmission to go for.Light steering also takes away some of the feel for the road; conversely it makes the car easy to drive in the city and that's what most buyers want.On sealed roads the Cerato offers a comfortable, sure-footed ride; on gravel it becomes nervous and twitchy.Did I mention it was from Korea?