Kia Cerato Reviews

A few years ago you might have picked a Kia just for its bargain price. But while the latest Cerato SLi is still not expensive, even if it cost a bit more you might choose it because of the great style, equipment and value proposition.  And there's little that will disappoint about it.Forget about the stodgy attitude of past models. While the Cerato might not yet have the deft dynamics and performance of the class benchmark VW Golf, it's light years away from its predecessors and has streaked through the field to overtake rivals like the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla -- and whittle down the gap to the Ford Focus and Mazda3.We tested the $26,240  top-spec Cerato SLi and there's everything you expect to find at this level - and then quite a bit more, including paddle-shifters on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy sports pedals, 17-in alloys, rear parking sensors, climate-control aircon, good fabric upholstery and a six-speaker audio/Bluetooth/iPod control set-up.The small hatchback sales leader is Mazda3 but the class leader is still 2009 Carsguide Car of the Year, the VW Golf.You can get the Golf 90TSI from $1200 more with a fantastic engine and twin-clutch transmission, five-star safety and better economy, but less style, 15-in wheels - which admittedly don't undermine its great handling - standard manual aircon, space-saver spare and having to pay extra for Bluetooth.The Mazda3 Maxx Sport auto hatch is $2120 above the Kia, with slightly less power and torque, one less gear, 16-in wheels, space-saver spare and bigger thirst on more expensive 95RON petrol, but also with five-star safety and a six-CD audio system.The newcomer in the field is the latest Ford Focus, with the Trend spec auto hatch competitive on price at just $550 more than the Cerato, for which you get more power and torque, better economy, five-star safety, about the same level of goodies but 16-in wheels and space-saver spare.You might be tempted to compare the Cerato to its $350-cheaper Korean cousin, the Hyundai i30 SLX, but while the i30 is also a former Carsguide COTY, it's now been outstripped by the Cerato.And for $750 more, there's the dependable, durable - some might say interminable -- Toyota Corolla in Levin spec. But put them side-by-side, and the quality and style of the Cerato will still win out.Under the direction of Kia's head designer Peter Schreyer, the Cerato has turned out to be a case of just right - there's enough freshness without it being outlandish.The family 'tiger face' fits in well with the angles of the large air dam, while the triangular C-pillar glass, wraparound taillights and finned splitter in the rear bumper add lashings of style at the back.The alloy pedals, oversized speedo and chunky steering wheel lend a sporty air to the SLi's cabin. The dash at first seems an overwhelming array of buttons, knobs and red-lit screens and dials, but it's all fairly intuitive and logical.Bluetooth was a snap to connect - although a little hollow-sounding in conversation - and the optional iPod cable adds the ability to acess your playlists through the steering wheel controls.There's plenty of cargo space, and the split-fold rear seats open the deep boot up into cavernous dimensions.The new Cerato is well-bolstered against mishaps, with six airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and active headrests, stability and traction controls systems, anti-lock brakes with brake-force distribution to compensate for uneven load weight, brake assist for panic stops. Previous models moved up from three to four ANCAP stars over the years, but the new one hasn't been tested here yet.The Cerato has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 115kW/194Nm, delivering that to the front wheels via a new sequential six-speed auto transmission.That particular engine is quite adequate for the job, but it's been around for while and seems - and sounds - less polished than the rest of the car.The underpinnings are similarly old-school, with a the torsion beam rear suspension, but in this case it's less of a problem as the aging set-up and the steering have been given a deft nip-and-tuck especially for Australia.And that extra effort - coupled with the little car having a bigger wheelbase and wider tracks than the Nissan X-Trail SUV that it replaced in the test slot - gives it surprisingly refined manners.It's fun. There's no doubt about it. A first run through our local set of hilly bends was so satisfying we turned around at the front door and went back for another crack at it.The Cerato feels solid and planted and responds obediently to steering. The firm-ish suspension serves it well - and wouldn't be out of place on a hot hatch -- but it does add a touch of harshness and some drivers might tire of that after a while.But it's not a hot hatch. And that becomes more obvious when you push it. It's willing, but far from being able to deliver effortless spirited performance in the engine department. And the noise if you force it reminds you it's just a well-sorted little runabout.Add in that it's generously equipped, easy to park, economical and good-looking - and there's not a lot to dislike. And engine and a couple of pieces of poorer plastic aside, there's little that doesn't suggest honest quality in the build and finishes.Cover the badge on the steering wheel, and not only would you have no way to connect the Cerato with the Korean cars of previous years, but it might even look at home in a Japanese or (dare we say it) European showroom.It deserves something better under the bonnet. But forget about trying to push the engine up to the sporty promise offered by the handling and steering. Just enjoy the looks, fit-out and fun, coupled with good quality at what - in the balance - still turns out to be a bargain price for the sum of what you get.

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 

WE turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?This is the five door hatchback variant of Kia's attractive Cerato which followed the sedan by about 18 months. The entry spec' test car featured Kia's excellent six-speed automatic transmission, essentially the reason we wanted to drive it.Keenly priced at $20,240 plus on roads.Too many to list really but including: Ford Focus, Mazda3, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Tiida, Sooby Impreza, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Corolla and more.Has a punchy, twin cam, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol with variable valve timing that's good for 115kW/194Nm — right at the top of the class.Great — plenty of zip off the mark, smooth, relatively quiet, economical, willing to rev — ticks all the boxes. The throttle flare problem on manual variant isn't evident on the auto. No paddle shift on Si - who cares, leave it in DSips lightly at 7.7-litres/100km — not bad for a 2.0-litre auto.The manual is only a couple of points better.Green tinge, passes Euro 4 emissions regs, OK on the carbon dioxide. Don't know about the manufacturing process.Gets four starsVery — great ride/handling compromise, relatively comfy seats, minimal noise intrusion, plenty of kit to keep you happy on a drive.Impressive thanks in part to the six speed auto. We would buy the auto in preference to the manual — there's a small premium but it's worth it.Gets off the line quickly and rolls along sweetly at speed. Plenty in reserve at the push of the throttle. Impressive dynamics, looks good on the road.Excellent value all things considered though the Mitsu' Lancer at similar money makes it a hard call... Si model scores a full-size spare, six bags, cruise control with steering wheel controls, rear spoiler power windows and mirrors, Bluetooth for phone and audio streaming, six speaker audio.Yes, we'd shop it against some other contenders and base the decision on the deal. There is no cringe factor at all with buying the Cerato hatch — it's as good or better than anything else in the class. Roomy, good looking and we prefer it over the sedan.

When asked what medium hatchback to buy, wise man invariably say: "A Golf if you've got $30K, a Mazda3 if you don't." Thirty grand gets you an 118TSI - the best VeeWee this side of a GTI . A Maxx Sport 3 gets change from that sum.The VW's the best hatch money can buy, the Mazda's a close second. After an interval of daylight, there follows an ever more crowded field. None of them, however, including number one and two, can offer, the newly five door Kia Cerato's bang for buck. It's a convincing enough package to make a wise man question the order of things.Unbeatable. The base SI is $20,240 for the manual; $22,240 for the auto. Its fruit includes cruise control, manual aircon, Bluetooth set-up, telescopic steering, and steering-wheel mounted controls. The SLI - $24,040 manual; $26,240 auto ­- adds 17-inch alloys, reverse sensor, suede/cloth upholstery, alloy pedals, automatic headlights, paddle shifters for the auto and various bling bits.Kia's cousin Hyundai matches the otherwise peerless five year unlimited kilometre warranty, but while the Carsguide Car of the Year-winning i30 shares elements of the Cerato's platform and the Theta II petrol engine, the Kia's uniformly six speed transmissions best its relative's manual by one cog and its auto by two. In the case of the latter, this makes a big difference.Hardly the last word in this department with that Theta engine a bit too like yesterday's papers compared to the direct injection turbo petrol or diesel donks to be had for a few thousand dollars more.That's true too of the torsion beam rear suspension as opposed to the independent set-up of the Cerato's more sophisticated peers. The live rear axle allows for class leading 385-litre load space, rear seats up.But, as is the case with the Sportage SUV, it's the Australian connection that distinguishes the Cerato. Led by Graeme Gambold, the local team's take on the Cerato equips it with bespoke spring settings and steering wheel weighting - improvements that will find their way into the Cerato sedan and Koup.It's a looker, alright, another feather in the cap of head designer Peter Schreyer. Smart and elegant, it makes the i30 look plain, the Golf anal the Mazda3 like an over-folded piece of origami.Inside, the base model SI looks just like a sub-$21 grand base car should, a sea of (rather smelly as new) plastic. But the SLI lifts the game markedly, inside and out, without over embellishing the go fast bits. Which would be silly, because sporty ain't what the Cerato is meant to be.You have to applaud six airbags as standard on the both models. Ditto stability program, ABS and a full-size spare. But the Cerato will likely score four stars, not five, from the ANCAP program.The easy shifting manual's sixth gear is a bit of gimmick, actually. At 110km/h in top cog you're still doing 3000rpm - a few hundred less than in fifth. But you're doing it with a remarkable degree of refinement. Aside for a bit of wind noise about the mirrors, this Cerato cruises in almost silently. It's a bit boomier in the back, but quite a feat nonetheless.The auto's the go. The paddle shifters allow a degree of manual override, useful for engine braking or applying spurs to the recalcitrant Theta as a hill begins to prove too much for it. Left to self-shift, it's a fairly seamless unit that goes some way toward masking the ordinariness of the engine.Moreover, at 7.7 litres per 100km and 187g of Co2 per km, the auto is merely 0.2L and 1g less environmentally nice than the manual.While not so sharp as the Mazda3, the Cerato is nonetheless some way past dynamically adequate, especially for its likely buyers. Indeed, the local lads have done it proud, with a ride/handling compromise that certain other imports would envy.Get over the badge and yourself; this represents more than value for money.

The world has been looking desperately for something to take the place of the Celica and Integra. The benchmark Japanese coupes were killed when customers drifted away to something different in the 1990s, even if upmarket brands have continued to find strong support for selfish two-doors and cars for people who want more than transport.So now we have the Kia Koup. It's very different to the efforts of its sister Korean company, Hyundai, with everything from the nasty little S Coupe through to the impressive V8-powered Genesis that is only built with left-hand drive.The Koup is based on the Cerato, which makes it simple and cheap to create. It also has styling that is more chunky and Gen-Y friendly than the last of the Celica and Integra crew. It should be a huge hit but, so far at least, it is not doing particularly well in Australia. That mostly comes down to the way it drives, but more of that in a minute.The two-door Koup arrived last September and is basically a cut-down and funked-up version of the four-door Cerato. That means it gets the Cerato's 2-litre petrol engine, but the body basics are very different and it is 60 millimetres lower, 50 shorter and 10 narrower, but still has the same wheelbase. The suspension alone drops it by 10 millimetres and it rolls on 17-inch alloys.The design comes from a 2007 Kia concept car and the translation, like the boxy little Soul, is pretty faithful to the show car. The interior is obviously less radical, and the materials are cheaper, but it still show's Kia's commitment to doing cars that have some emotion. Kia claims the Koup is fun to drive and has a refined ride, but we're not talking about a BMW or a Porsche.The Koup is a major disappointment. The engine is perky enough and the gearbox is slick with good ratios, but the chassis is  . . . pedestrian. Kia needs to know that it's not nearly good enough to stick a coupe body over a midfield small car and expect it to win buyers. The Celica was never a great driving car, and the Integra relied heavily on great engines, but by comparison to the Koup the Toyota is a grand prix car.The Koup has steering and front suspension that fights you all the time, even without pushing hard on the accelerator. It is always tugging and fighting, even in the mildest curves, and you need to hang on tight if you try to go moderately quickly on a twisty road. If it rains . . . Well, then things get nasty and you have to slow down.Don't get me wrong, because I wanted to like the Koup. I've been missing affordable two-door driving in Australia and the Kia has the right price and a good look, both inside and out. The dash, in particular, will appeal to younger buyers and the sound system is good. The seats are ok, visibility is good and safety should be fine for the class and price.But you can see and feel the Korean quality in the Koup, from rattly doors with window glass that clunks and jerks, to the cheap finishing in the boot. It's also tough to get in and out of the back seat, and the big rear glass really needs a wiper for wet weather. So, bottom line, the Kia Koup is nothing special. Pity.I don't think there is anything special about the Koup. It does the job, but it doesn't deliver on how it looks. I'm not sure about the massive doors - they clunk and bang and might get droopy over time. The steering is the big letdown, especially driving on a wet road. That was terrible and not sporty at all. It also tugs a lot in corners when you want to put your foot down.Really, it was just standard stuff. A standard car. The boot's fine, the seats are fine, and the sound system is good. Thinking about the Celica, it looks sportier but inside it's just a regular car. But it does have that five-year warranty, which is important to a lot of people.Funky looks but an old-school drive.

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?

Cruelly, we can't all afford Porsches and Lamborghinis.But to people wanting a car for purpose, not passion, the little Cerato has it all over a Porsche or a Lamborghini.First up is the bleeding obvious. This doesn't look like anything with a Kia badge.It's shapely, cute and perfectly balanced and is devoid of Korean trends of gross over-indulgence in the use of chrome.Not surprisingly, it wasn't a Korean but a German — Peter Schreyer — who penned the car. Schreyer also designed the first Audi TT and the New Beetle.Purposeful and pretty in looks, the Cerato is also well styled and sensible inside.It uses cloth for the upholstery and a pleasing mix of black plastic and alloy-look trim to create aesthetics and ergonomics. Not a patch of light grey plastic to be seen. What a relief!Then there's the price. Fully kitted, the test Cerato SLi gets an automatic gearbox, electronic stability control, six airbags, alloy wheels, an audio that accepts iPods, CDs and USBs and climate airconditioning.All that costs $24,990 (plus on-road costs) and has a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.In any book, that's a bargain.There's also other things to like about this sedan. It seats four — five adults at a squeeze — and has a big boot.I loved the little details like the levers in the boot to flip down the rear seats — although unfortunately, they didn't work too well — the automatic door locking when the car gets underway; plentiful personal storage spaces; and the USB and iPod connections to allow full mobility for my music.I was sitting in the car quietly forgetting about all those cheap tags once associated with Kia and its sister company, Hyundai.But when I left the cabin and closed the door, the aura of quality disappeared in a clang.Clunky, tinny-sounding doors don't deserve to be on a car like this. The last time I heard such a rattle was on a Peugeot 207.I would hope that the noise made by the doors — and boot — will disappear with a factory fix.The Cerato is undoubtedly a light car — it weighs about 1250kg — and is on par with most of its rivals.It can move around a bit in sidewinds, but no more than some others in its class.That relatively light weight helps its performance and, ostensibly, its fuel economy.Even with an outdated four-speed automatic transmission — granted, it does have a sequential mode — the car gives every impression of getting off the mark quite spiritedly.The 2-litre engine is willing, though it prefers working in the lower end of the rev range rather than running hard up towards 6000rpm.While it's willing, it's no powerhouse. Its strength should lie in its durability, given its preference for low engine revs.But it was not particularly fuel efficient. Kia claims 7.9 litres/100km but modest city and suburban driving cost me 9.2 l/100km. More highway running would have reduced my consumption.General handling was good but more notable was the suburban road ride comfort and freeway quietness.This is a car for the gentle commuter and not for any lead foots, so I didn't expect sensational handling qualities — and so wasn't disappointed.As a family car it should serve the owner well. The long warranty and the low purchase price are boons, with the icing being the extensive feature list and the high safety levels.Certainly it's a surprise.