2012 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.

Cool looks and classy handling defines the Kia Cerato, which helps explain why it's the South Korean company's best-selling car around the world.The features list in the range-topping SLi is enough to impress most small car buyers and it comes with capped-price servicing for the duration of the five-year warranty. That doesn't hurt its appeal, either.The Cerato starts under $20,000 but the SLi models top out at $24,055 for the sedan and $24,305 for the hatch. That buys a 2.0-litre car with a decent amount of go, a big boot (in the case of the sedan) and features that run from Bluetooth connectivity to rear parking sensors and climate-control airconditioning.A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, the six-speed auto adds $2200. Rivals include the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf. That's tough company to keep, especially given the Cerato is nearly three-years old. A few age spots aside, nothing has started to sag on the compact Kia.Local suspension tune gives the Cerato a grip on the small-car market it mightn't otherwise enjoy. It is supple enough to let owners think they're driving on smooth roads rather than the chopped-up bitumen that dominates most cities. The engine itself isn't the best in the class and the auto gearbox is likewise OK rather than brilliant.Styling is Kia's strong suit and the Cerato is one of the smarter examples to come off lead designer Peter Schreyer's drawing board. The sharp lines are offset with scalloped door recesses and work well on both the sedan and hatch.The interior is starting to show its age, with relatively hard plastics and red light displays but there's a new model due midway next year that should bring it back on terms with the latest Focus and the Golf Mk VII.Airbags aren't everything, as ANCAP has shown by giving four-bag models five-star ratings. In the case of the Cerato, there are six airbags, stability control and brake assist along with brakeforce distribution to compensate for uneven loads. When it arrived 2010 ANCAP gave the Kia a four-star rating.The Cerato's biggest problem is it looks like a sporty car, so you tend to think of it as one. The red-lit instrument cluster only adds to the illusion, because this car is intended to be a good value middle-of-the-road contender.The engine pulls well down low and through the midrange but tends to whine rather than wind up with heavy applications of the right foot. It is still quick enough on takeoff and the sorted suspension encourages run on windy roads. But the stability/traction control, which happily permits wheel-chirping starts, kills the joy with prolonged intervention the nanosecond a yaw sensor starts to twinge. That's great for learner drivers and absent-minded parents but doesn't do justice to the otherwise well-balanced car. The steering is likewise engineered with enough play to cope with nervous twitches while going straight at the expense of outright precision.As family transport, the Cerato is a winner. There's room in the rear for long-legged teens, boot space aplenty and it doesn't chew through a tank of fuel around town. 

The popularity of the five-door Cerato hatch is growing yearly and now leads from the Rio to claim top sales for Kia. Interest in the Cerato should keep expanding with the release of 2013 Cerato teaser images, which give a glimpse of the new car that arrives in Australia around the middle of next year.  In the

A muscular man in a low-rider looked our car up and down, gave a quick nod of his head, then revved his engine and sped off.We weren’t sure how to take that at first, but then realised that apparently the Kia Cerato Koup has street cred.Kia might not be the first manufacture you turn to when looking for a sports car, but if you’re craving good looks and a bit of speed to get you noticed on the road the Koup may be worth a test drive.Suitable for those longing for a sports car as well as a larger budget, the Cerato Koup has a lot to offer price conscious buyers.Price and EquipmentFor $29,190 the automatic Kia Cerato Koup SLS gives you plenty of perks. ABS, ESC, leather trim, rear parking sensors with dash display, powered sunroof, paddle shifter, active front headrests, 17 inch dual tone alloy wheels, anti-theft immobiliser, battery saver, wheel mounted Bluetooth, cruise, and volume control, 6 function trip computer, MP3 compatible CD Player, iPod compatibility, 6-speakers, Speed Dependent Volume Control, climate control air-conditioning, and for those daredevils with allergies, a pollen and dust filter. TechnologyThe 2.0L petrol engine brings 115kW of power and 194Nm of torque to zip you around the motorways. The six speed automatic transmission is smooth, accurate, and ready to run. 7.7L/100km is the official fuel figure though our fun little rev around Sydney and the Blue Mountains found 9.8.DesignThe Cerato Koup SLS is a neat little bundle dressed to impress. Externally, sharp lines, tinted glass and the dual chrome tip rear muffler makes even the toughest driver stop and take note. While parked on the street, an elderly man walking a cavoodle stopped and remarked, ‘That’s one good looking car.’ He may not be the toughest bloke on the block, but his sentiment was shared by everyone we met.Internally, with black leather seats and red stitching, leather wrapped steering wheel and alloy sports pedals, this car is ready to race. The styled dash gets you in the mood to cruise and the 6-way driver’s seat with height adjustment lets you do that in supreme comfort.The Koup is a smart choice for those seeking the status of a sports car, but still wanting storage and the option of carrying more than two passengers.Sentencing friends to the backseats of a two door is usually a cruel punishment, but the Koup’s seats are well designed. Passengers in back can enjoy sufficient legroom for short jaunts and even little touches like a spot to place their flat whites in the two rear cup holders. The boot has a lot of room, enough to fit boxes when a friend asked us to help them move, so using the excuse, ‘Sorry I can’t help you move, I only have a two door,’ won’t cut it. SafetySafety features include driver and front passenger, front side, and curtain SRS airbags. Impact sensing auto door unlocking, side door impact beams, and active front headrests come standard in this four-star ANCAP rated car.DrivingFast acceleration and responsive handling gives you plenty of excitement on the motorway. Handling curves is no problem and though the Koup is a little bumpy on uneven roads, it’s not a worry as you won’t take this baby off-road.Sharp brakes will stop you on a dime and wheel mounted controls give you Bluetooth, cruise, and volume control at your fingertips.Visibility out the back isn’t great but the rear parking sensors with dash display will beep at you if you get too close to anything. You may park too far away from the curb at the start, thinking the hood is longer than it actually is but once you get your bearings it’s easy to fit into a tight spot.For an affordable sporty two door, you get a lot cabin space, style, and street cred. For speedsters looking for a pleasing fast car, with the practicality of a smaller price tag - you’ve met your mate.VerdictThe automatic Kia Cerato Koup SLS will fill your need for speed without emptying your bank account.Kia CeratoPrice: $29,190Warranty: 5 yearsEconomy: 7.7l/100 kmSafety Equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD.Crash rating: 4 star ANCAPEngine: 4 Cylinder, 2.0 LitreTransmission: Sports Automatic, Front Wheel DriveBody: 2 Door CoupeDimensions: 4480mm (L); 1765mm (W); 1400mm (H); 2650mm (WB)Weight: 1740

IF it worries you, cover up the badge. That's our advice. If there are any lingering doubts about the badge, its build quality or credibility, fear not: Kia's Cerato Koup is very good. Drop the preconceptions and you'll be in for a nice surprise, because Kia has joined Hyundai, LG and Samsung in the global Korean offensive of top quality products, with its recent additions and updates of the Sorento, Sportage, Soul and Koup.VALUEPricing is sharp and starts at $24,990 drive-away. For that price you get remote locking, electric windows and cruise and stereo controls on the steering wheel, map lights, a very legible Mazda3-like instrument cluster, plus trip computer, and extra niceties like a 60/40 split-fold seat with boot releases, sun-visor extensions, speed-sensing door locks and a smart USB iPod input.Some cars twice its price don't have all this gear. Bluetooth (coming) and satnav (buy a $150 TomTom) are the only major emissions. The overload of standard equipment is Kia's way of saying we may not have the badge, but we can give you the gear.SAFETYStandard safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and there are even reverse parking sensors.DESIGNThe Koup is stylish, well equipped and keenly priced and more impressively, has minimal flaws. The Koup's chiseled, chunky styling looks right out of Europe. With its blacked-out nose, faux diffuser and 17-inch alloys, it's a striking car, especially in this Sweet Orange, a new for 2011 colour that glows in the sun.And for that, we are impressed, considering there's also something lacking in some Euros: storage space. The Koup is full of handy pockets and holders and holes, in its surprisingly spacious cabin.TECHNOLOGYNo, it won't win a world rally championship, or hose down a HSV at the drags, but nor was it designed to: the Koup is a budget conscious, practical, stylish city car with an emphasis on comfort with just enough sports. The engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with figures of 115kW/194Nm, and 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, about the same as a Suzuki Swift Sport.DRIVEThe five-speed manual is faster, but we actually prefer the somewhat antiquated four-speed auto though it's a little slower, it feels more responsive around town and at part throttle, where it spends most of its life. The power steering is on the heavy side, and the big heavy doors also mean it's a fairly long reach to the front seat belts.We're also keen to see if the fuel consumption improves, as we've recorded 10.7 litres/100km from our $2000 option auto version, versus the 7.8 litres/100km claim. If those aren't major issues, then the Kia Koup is an impressive budget sports coupe that's comfortable, well equipped and looks good and deserves consideration.Of course with all the ups, there are a couple of downs, and the biggest is ride quality: its overly harsh damping can loosen a few fillings, and it seems to struggle most with suburban speed-humps and corrugations with just 1500km on the clock, and possibly tight suspension, well see if that softens over time.VERDICTWith Kia's five year unlimited kilometre warranty, it adds up to a compelling case. If you value price and equipment over a badge, then Kia's Koup is quite the budget sports coupe.KIA CERATO KOUPPrice: from $24,990Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinderOutputs: 115kW/194 NmSafety: six airbags, Electronic Stability Program ESPTransmission: Five-speed manual, four-speed automaticWarranty: five year unlimited kilometres