Kia Cerato Reviews

And the korean carmaker is making that clear with an ad campaign for its new Cerato that shows unidentified German and Japanese brands indulging in some industrial espionage to keep a – very worried – eye on what Kia is up to.The ad highlights the main weapons Kia has used to arm the little four-door sedan in a changing market that the company believes is moving in its direction.Competitive pricing and sharpened design, segment topping power and a stacked equipment list that includes six airbags as standard are all intended to help start moving the brand away from the wallet-conscious list to the `desirable’ one.Developed from the Koup concept that was Kia’s star at the last New York motor show, this is the first car to hit Australia with the new Peter Schreyer- penned line grille – which the head designer likens to `a tiger’s roaring face’ – slated to spread across the range as the maker’s family signature.The grille is flanked by integrated slim headlights, echoed at the rear with similarly trimmed Euro style tail-lights sitting between the built-in rear spoiler and two-tone bumper.The car is widest in its class and longer than its predecessor, but also sits lower on a choice of 15” steel or 17” alloy wheels to give a sportier impression. Side-on, the wedge-shaped body – which has helped to provide increased luggage capacity of 415L – is accentuated by the strong D-pillar profile, and character lines along the shoulder and lower doors.Kia has paid equal attention to the interior, with improved features including a new design for the Kia steering wheel – set to spread across range – integrated audio in the centre stackThe standard six-speaker audio system is MP3 compatible with iPod readout of playlists on the head unit and speed-dependent volume control.The SLi gets `super-vision cluster’ with message centre – Kia’s term for extra information functions and warnings -- plus rear park assist system with in- dash display (rare for this segment). Safety Six airbags, including dual full-length side curtain ones are standard, as are active headrests.It also boasts four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and ESP as an option on the base but standard on the SLi. Kia says that, given the car’s urban emphasis, the extra airbags were chosen over making ESP standard, and to help keep it at a competitive price point.Use of high-tensile steel has strengthened the body, and while the Cerato has not been independently tested, Kia engineers claim it will score a minimum of four stars when put through the ANCAP process in Australia later this year.The Cerato carries the 2.0-litre Theta II engine with contuous variable valve timing to improve both economy and power, and develops a best in class 115kW at 6200 and 194Nm at 4300rpm, while managing to meet Euro IV emissions regulations and score a 4.5 on the Aussie government green vehicle guide.Economy is claimed to be 7.8L with the five-speed manual and 7.9L with the four-speed gated tiptronic auto. The suspension system consists of front McPherson strut set-up, and rear compact torsion beam axle that is becoming popular in the segment for its reduced weight that helps fuel economy – in addition to improving rear impact performance and giving the Cerato class-leading boot space with minimal intrusion into cargo area.To further help economy, aerodynamic performance aided by covers in engine bay, flattened wheel covers, and wheel deflectors front and rear.The base model CeratoS is $18,990, and the upper specced SLi $22,990, with a five-speed manual, while a four-speed tiptronic transmission adds a $2000 premium. There’s also an option pack for the S which tosses in the SLi’s ESP, traction control, cruise control and steering wheel controls for the audio system for an extra $2000.September will see the Cerato two-door coupe, expected to stay true to the concept car shown in New York, and to replace the Cerato hatch globally.Kia expects to sell more of the base models, consistent with asegment which has a large fleet component, with the SLi accounting for only 30-40 per cent of sales. In 2008, they moved 2000 Ceratos, and have tipped they’ll ``conservatively’’ sell more than 3000 this year, hunting the share of the Hyundai i30 which sells between 700-900 per month.While the Shreyer line is the feature of the Cerato’s front, from the back it looks like another Euro-styled car. That’s not a bad thing, of course. But it’s the inside that you’ll be looking at most, and this is where Kia is showing they are serious about going further upscale with presentation.Give or take the few pieces of harder plastic in the base model, the overall effect is one of quality … decent materials, well designed and laid out, and with what seems to be quite good fitting – although we did have an annoying squeak early in the first car, it disappeared a few kilometres down the road.The engine was a capable and very frugal performer, but was not enhanced by the transmissions. In full auto, the four-speed wasn’t keen to kick down until you gave it a hefty boot to remind it you were still there, although in the sequential side it was more fun for hills and corners.But the manual shift was notchy and disappointing, undermining what was otherwise an excellent package.We took the launch cars over quite a bit of gravel on the day, and were surprised at how well the suspension set-up handled most of the challenge, the only exception being the rear doing an occasional side sashay on a bumpy corner. Bitumen surfaces were no problem, although we managed to get the rubber chirping from time to time.

In the new millennium, consumers are spoiled for choice, particularly in the small-car segment, with a host of very capable manufacturers vying for your dollars.Which brings me to the most uplifting thing about the Cerato: its price.Just how big a factor price is in winning sales was hammered home by a city Kia dealer's radio advertisement that made scant mention of the car's "uplifting" qualities, but repeatedly pushed the sharp $18,990 drive-away price for the five-speed manual.With oodles of kit thrown in — air conditioning, electric windows, power steering, cruise control, remote central locking and a six-speaker CD player — buyers must think they're getting a bargain as they drive off the dealer's lot.It's certainly an appealing package, as long as you don't expect it to extend to an enthralling driving experience.The little Kia's interior is roomy and reasonably well laid-out, with good space for front- and rear-seat passengers.On the minus side is the quality of the Cerato's plastics, carpet and interior finish, which is at best average (or, in the case of the carpet and boot trim, rather ordinary).Exterior styling is commendable, particularly as past Korean offerings have often fallen well behind their Japanese and European competitors. The Cerato has clean, well-defined lines.Anyone considering buying a small car and driving it on city roads awash with 4WD behemoths is wise to consider safety features, and this isn't a Cerato strong point.The European safety watchdog NCAP gives it three stars out of five, with particular criticism of its poor side-impact protection. Nevertheless, the Cerato comes with dual front airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners, but ABS is offered only as an option.Despite disc brakes on all wheels, the lack of ABS shows, with the Kia's braking performance below par.Our automatic Cerato hatchback had a respectably staid zero-to-100km/h time of more than 10 seconds.The two-litre engine puts out an honest 101kW that gets it moving through city traffic at a reasonable clip.The engine would pair well with the five-speed manual on the base model, as the four-speed automatic tends to cling to the lower gears if driven at anything beyond a going-to-church-on-Sunday pace.With consumption of eight to nine litres per 100km, the Cerato isn't the most frugal car around, but it will hardly bleed you dry — unlike some sporty brethren that are addicted to high-octane, high-cost fuel.Probably the most surprising thing about the Cerato is its ride. MacPherson struts at the front and a dual-link arrangement at the rear soak up bumps far better than many more expensive cars.The downside is that this can make the Cerato feel slightly unbalanced and wafty on twisting open roads. That, coupled with steering that offers minimal feedback and the limitations of front-wheel drive, means it's not the type of vehicle you'd want to push too hard.But few people who find their way into Kia's showrooms will be expecting a performance package. They're after a new car with the lot for under $20,000, and with a three-year, 100,000km warranty to boot.You can't argue that the Cerato isn't great value. But, as we explain in today's cover story, a discerning buyer may find the best value by buying a near-new, second-hand car.

Kia has lifted its game hugely in the past few years. Witness the Sorento, Tucson and Cerato, all attractively styled and well put together vehicles.Cerato is a mainstream compact sedan with plenty of appeal for a buyer on a budget. It offers a whole lot of car for the $18990 drive away ask.There's a four speed auto available for an extra two grand – drive away.Roomy body, five seater, five three point belts, big boot. 2.0-litre, DOHC engine has 101kw/182Nm output giving peppy performance even in auto. Auto is a four speeder, doesn't miss a beat, lacks a little smoothness changing under hard acceleration. No sequential mode – big deal. Ride/handling impressive thanks to strut front, multi-link rear suspension. Power steering, power windows, remote central locking and aircon included in the package. Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable too. Almost instant demist in the cold. Audio is six speaker, pleasing sound, easy to operate. Safety features include dual front air bags. ABS not available but four wheel discs. Low noise, vibration and harshness through most engine speeds, quiet on the freeway. Economical in mixed driving expect around 8.5l/100km out of auto. Tank holds 55 litres. Interior looks modern, airy, better than many other offerings in the segment. Finish is up with Japanese, smooth paint, neat panel fit, tidy interior, chunky door close. Like the styling, crisp lines, purposeful front, tidy rear – something different. Smooth quiet ride over rough surfaces.  

The people buying these vehicles aren't looking for top-shelf driving dynamics and outright performance. They want comfort, safety, ease of operation and no hidden costs in the purchase price. They are drivers looking for a conveyance, not motoring enthusiasts.Kia thinks it has cracked the market segment with the Cerato by loading it with standard features many would consider optional extras, and advertising it with a "drive-away price".On test was the new four-speed auto version, which costs $2000 more than the $18,990 "drive-away" price of the five-speed manual.Just before I drove away, the saleman gave me a snapshot profile of the typical Cerato owner."More than 50 per cent are women buyers, and many of them are franchise or small-business owners," he said. "A lot of people have them as a second car, perhaps the husband has a company vehicle or a four-wheel drive."The attraction of the Cerato to these buyers is instantly obvious: a long wheelbase (by comparison with many of its class rivals) but a compact turning circle; a roomy body which seats four adults in comfort; a large boot storage area with seat fold-down options; European styling; and the sort of standard features usually found on more expensive cars.The large array of features can be broken into convenience, comfort and safety.Electric windows have an automatic-down function for the driver's door, useful for getting tickets out of carpark meters, or giving change at a toll booth.Side mirrors have a demister heater. The doors have large courtesy lights and the interior light has a time delay. Remote central locking includes fuel cap and boot release.The cruise control, operated from the steering wheel, is a good way to avoid speeding fines in country driving. There is a day-night option on the rear vision mirror.On the comfort side of the ledger, the Cerato provides plenty of legroom for front and rear passengers.However, the front seats need more lumbar support for long-distance travel. Rear seats have adjustable headrests, which is good.A power outlet allows the use of a portable DVD player. Although the CD player is a one-disc unit with no stacker, the six speakers give quality sound. There are cup holders front and rear, with the one near the driver especially large. Good for someone driving home from a gym workout with a thirst.The standard airconditioning, with plenty of vents, works efficiently throughout the cabin, not just the front. Side and rear windows are lightly tinted.Safety features include airbags for driver and passenger. Seat belts have pretensioners and load limiters. Fog lights are standard.Brakes are discs all round with an ABS option available that includes electronic brake force distribution.The fuel supply to the engine is switched off in the event of a shunt or accident impact.Security features remote locking and engine immobiliser.Options include alloy wheels and a rear spoiler but I would start with the $150 metallic paint option, which looks better executed than the standard finish.First impressions of the test car were marred by a strong, chemical, "new car" smell.With tilt-adjustable steering column and height-adjustable driver's seat, it's easy to get comfortable and all-round vision is good.Controls and instruments are logical and easy to use.Performance from the two-litre, double-overhead-cam, four-cylinder motor is quite zippy. But most Cerato buyers aren't the types who explore engine performance. So maximum torque of 182Nm at 4500rpm and power of 101kW at 6000rpm seems about right and encourages low-rev driving.The automatic works well in most situations but put the pedal to the floor for swifter overtaking and it drops a gear, the engine revs but it doesn't feel like a lot of forward motion is happening.This will not concern most Cerato owners, nor will the slightly vague feeling the power steering exhibits at higher speeds, which discourages brisk driving. Around town and in car parking manouevres the power-steering operation is delightfully light.Brakes are adequate but the ABS option is an affordable $850.With plenty of suspension travel, the ride quality is good over a variety of road surfaces.For its price, and loaded with features and crisp European styling, the Cerato is well worth a look.

I thought about responding that I was a clerk, or better, a librarian. What do you ask a librarian after "read any good books lately?"Then the ride would have been quiet and I could have watched the scenery, listened to the music or just dozed off.But I must have been off guard, for I told the truth, and he immediately asked what I thought of Kia."Why?" I asked cautiously."My mother just bought one," he said, adding he couldn't remember the name.So I proposed a few: Rio? Nup. Cerato? Maybe. Optima? Nup. Cerato?. Yep."She loves it," he said, which led me to suggest she's right.Because the taxi driver's mum had bought one of the best-value small cars on the market.The Cerato shows, at least in this early stage of its life, that Kia is getting very serious about value, quality, performance and style.The model, introduced late last year, is basically a remodelled version of its parent company Hyundai's Elantra.But it looks a whole lot neater than the Elantra, thanks to more conservative lines and a wider stance.The two cars share the same platform, drivetrain and suspension, though Kia has honed these components to create a surprisingly quiet, brisk and comfortable sedan.Most of that is attributed to the Cerato hitting the market two years after the latest Elantra.The Kia's cabin is on a par with the Corolla, with sufficient room for four adults and a spacious boot. There are no big surprises in the cabin, though Kia has crammed the car full of goodies and the price is a knock-out $18,990 with manual box.The four-speed auto version I tested comes in at $20,990 and included airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors, dual airbags and a CD player.Don't expect this car to compete in a weekend rally and you'll be rewarded with a neat handling, peppy machine that has quietness as one of its most endearing features.It handles corners well, though you recognise quite early that there's a limit.The brakes are fine, the steering feel is typically Korean -- like holding a dead bird -- though the ride is excellent for this class of car.Kia has done a lot of good work on the suspension, which comes as a major shock, given previous examples.The engine is torquey, has a strong mid-range power delivery and though it revs to 6000rpm it's a pointless exercise and will only cost money in extra fuel.The auto transmission is a plain Jane four-speed without accoutrements such as manual selection, though it proved to be well-matched to the engine.I would have liked better fuel consumption, though the car was an automatic and the 2-litre engine was no small fry.The Cerato does its job of transporting people with efficiency and, despite the price, looks like it cost a few thousand dollars more than you paid.This car will meet the needs of people who, unlike me, will contentedly beaver along the freeways and trundle through shopping centre car parks in comfort, with reliability and with spare change in their pockets.

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.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.

The man's dog was set upon by this beast and it was nearly impossible to lever open the creature's jaws to extract his pet.The victim suffered flesh wounds but has fully recovered to return to the evening walks with its master.The other dog was less fortunate, though its unerring concentration to the task at hand and its tenacious grip on its subject is to be commended.Similar to a Kia dealer.Back six years ago, few would have been brave enough to take on an agency with some pretty basic products.Dealers who took Kia on board would have sweated furiously in the past six years but are now reaping the rewards.The latest good-news product – joining the well-sorted Sorento 4WD – is the Cerato small car that sits above the Rio and below the Optima.To summarise, the Cerato is one of the nicest small cars on the market, pushed up the ladder by pleasant road manners, a willing little engine, good features and – more importantly – a sub-$19,000 entry price that includes airconditioning, electric windows and on-road costs.Its appearance is neat, if not a bit bland, and owes a lot of styling to the Corolla sedan.The interior is excellent, fitting four adults with ease and enhanced by a monster boot.Build quality is well up on its predecessors, thanks to better quality-control supervision by parent company Hyundai.The dashboard is neat and predictable though more importantly, everything appears to work – so important on these icy mornings when demisting the human body is more important than a clear windscreen.On the road the Cerato surprises with high road/tyre/engine suppression.At 100km/h its two-litre engine hums along at a modest 2800rpm in the manual box's fifth gear.Engine power is smooth rather than strong, though the Cerato gets off the mark smartly and will give some bigger cars a run for their money.There's a positive gearchange in the manual and a Japanese-style light clutch pedal action. The steering is a bit vague, though the wheel is easy to twirl and the brakes are welcome four-wheel discs. There is no ABS listed as an option, though Kia agents Ateco Automotive will fit the system by special request at the factory if you pay extra dollars.I can't work out that non-optional ABS option deal.But I can live with standard airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control, dual airbags and six-speaker CD player.The seats are comfortable but have little lateral support. The terry-towelling finish is unusual and may be comforting to some buyers used to dressing gowns made of that material.The Cerato is an easy car to live with and suits its market down to the ground.It's cheap, functional and well equipped but don't ask too much from it in terms of handling and general chassis dynamics.

Kia showed its hand in Sydney when it ran the worldwide dealer preview of the Cerato, flagging the importance of Australia to the brand and the car itself.It also highlighted a rise-and-rise performance that has made Kia Australia's fastest-growing car company, with a massive 57 per cent sales jump in the first half of 2004.Taking over from all Spectra, Mentor and Shuma models, the Cerato has a bigger engine and more features than previous Kia models in the class. It also comes with a smaller $18,990 driveaway price tag.The first all-new model to be rolled out in Australia this year, it sits between the four-cylinder Rio and flagship Optima V6.The Cerato fits into the small-car class, which has overtaken big sixes as the most popular shopping ground for Australia buyers, and is worth around 180,000 cars a year.It is a breakthrough model because it shares the Hyundai Elantra's mechanical package, the first time Kia -- which is now owned by Hyundai -- has had a shared model with the Korean juggernaut.But the engine isn't as strong, and the Cerato also has a very different suspension tune.Its 2.0-litre engine only generates 101kW of power and 182Nm of torque, with a fairly standard 0-100km/h sprint time of 10.5 seconds. Gearboxes are also the standard deal, with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.The Cerato design was done entirely at Kia, and while bland, it's not nearly as ugly as some earlier efforts.The sedan is the key model for Australia, with a five-door version under consideration when right-hand-drive production starts at the end of this year.The Cerato has twin front airbags and four-wheel disc brakes, but anti-skid control is an extra.There is only one level of equipment, but the car comes loaded with cruise control, power windows, remote central locking, heated electric mirrors, CD sound, and a cupholders.The cabin includes power sockets for phones and computers, as well as a battery saver system that turns off any lights that are accidentally left on.The Cerato is longer, wider and heavier than Kia's earlier mid-sized compacts, while the boot has been boosted by nearly 56 litres for impressive carrying capacity.Kia is taking a cautious approach to sales forecasts, predicting just 400 cars a month will be sold.Toyota sold 4031 Corollas in June, while Holden did 2650 Astras and Mitsubishi sold 2083 Lancers.But Kia managing director Ric Hull isn't under-estimating the work to be done on a car in this category."Bringing an unfamiliar name from a relatively minor brand into the marketplace is certainly going to take a little time, but we think we will get there," Hull says.Kia also admits the Elantra will be a tough target.Hyundai claimed June as an all-time record month with 1856 sales, but even that has been tough work and there is potential for trade-off sales between the brands."There is no doubt the Elantra is a competitor. Kia and Hyundai have never said they wouldn't compete in the marketplace," Kia sales manager Edward Butler says."But the success of Hyundai is our success, because the more people who buy Korean products experience the reliability and the quality of Korean products."The Cerato is aimed at city people, aged 25-45, who want comfort and features, as well as value.The Cerato is no sports car, but it is likely to be good at its job.It has a comfortable drive, and while the suspension is set softly, it handles reasonably well and feels pretty solid on the road.The five-speed manual is the best gearbox choice as it allows you to get the most out of car and engine.The auto is no slouch, and Kia claims it equals the manual in the 0-100km/h dash, but on a few cornering occasions the auto left the right foot flailing momentarily waiting for the box to pick its gear.The manual, however, was able to match torque delivery, keeping the car more stable through bends with better pick-up for straights and during overtaking.The back seat comfortably fits three across, and the space makes it more like a sedan than a small car.As a value deal, it is hard to fault the Cerato.And the price tag and features list make an appealing combination.Kia's Ric Hull is confident and says the Cerato should do much better than the Spectra, one of the models it is due to replace.He points out the Cerato is all-new and has a better bottom line."There is nothing in common with the Spectra at all, this is an infinitely better car," Hull says."In fairness, it is much more competitively priced, and for $1000 more you have a much better-equipped 2.0-litre car, much more modern."We are incredibly currency dependant. Frankly, we were nervous at putting it (Cerato) into the marketplace at say, $19,990 driveaway."There are too many entries there and it seemed to us we wouldn't have anything particularly unique to offer, so we decided to give it a good hit and put it in at that price ($18,990)."The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun