Volvo V40 vs Kia Cerato
What's the difference?

Volvo V40

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2018 price

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Kia Cerato

$14,984 - $31,990

2022 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Volvo V40

2022 Kia Cerato

By Laura Berry

By Tim Nicholson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 1.6L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.6L/100km (combined)

6.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Great looks
Responsive, torquey engine
Simple to use interior controls

Peppy turbocharged engine
Modern simple multimedia system
Massive boot

Dislikes

Small boot
Limited rear legroom
No Apple CarPlay

Harsh ride quality
Unrefined, noisy cabin
Ageing interior design

2018 Volvo V40 Summary

I miss my old phone. Sure, my new phone has a bigger screen and it’s smarter and faster, but my previous phone was smaller and easier to use, and now when I go to do a screen shot I accidentally hit the volume button every time.

What I really want in a phone is a new version of the old one – and I have a feeling people may feel the same way about the 2018 Volvo V40.

Some time next year the completely new generation V40 is expected to arrive and there will be some things I’ll miss about the old one. So, this really is your last chance to buy a new ‘old’ Volvo V40.

In a last-hurrah review, I road tested the V40 in the Inscription grade with the T4 petrol engine. What’s so 'missable' about it? Read on to find out.

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2022 Kia Cerato Summary

Three years after the fourth-generation Cerato small car rolled into Australian dealerships, Kia launched a mid-life facelift for the sedan and hatch range in mid-2021.

It ushered in styling tweaks including new headlights and Kia’s new logo, as well as more safety tech and a multimedia upgrade.

At the top of the range sits the warmed-up Cerato GT. It’s not quite Hyundai i30 N-level performance, more i30 N-Line. In other words, more than enough performance to keep most people satisfied and enough poke to get away quickly at the lights.

But is the updated version of Kia’s Cerato trying to be something it’s not, or is it a performance bargain?

Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Volvo V40 2022 Kia Cerato

Verdict

I’m going to miss this V40 like I do my old phone, and for many people this hatch really could really be close to perfect: excellent safety equipment, enjoyable to drive, cool prestige styling and some lo-fi buttons and dials that are far easier to use than swiping a screen. This is your last chance to own an old, new V40.

Verdict

Kia has value and packaging on its side with the sleek and spunky Cerato GT sedan. There’s no shortage of standard gear, it comes with the latest multimedia and safety gear and the cabin and cargo area are spacious and practical.

The powertrain is a winner too. Which is why it’s such a shame that it’s let down so badly by the ride quality.

If you’re going to be driving on various road surfaces, or regularly driving long distance, check out the far more compliant Hyundai i30 N-Line instead.

But if you’ll only ever drive in urban areas – or enjoy the occasional back-road blast – and you can handle the firm ride, there’s still plenty to like about the Cerato GT.

Volvo V40 vs Kia Cerato What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Volvo V40 vs Kia Cerato
What's the difference?