KIA Cerato – Long Term Update
May 26, 2009 by Matt Brogan
KIA Cerato SLi – Long Term Update
So far, so good!
- by Rose Harris
Kia has made some ground-breaking changes which should see buyers think twice when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle.
When I tell people I am testing a Kia, the response is usually a less than enthusiastic one and I have even felt a distinct “oh, you poor thing” response from some. However, when the doubters see and even go for a ride in the Cerato, opinions quickly change.
The exterior styling of the Cerato puts it comfortably in the league of good-looking cars. It certainly doesn’t look like a boring, affordable family vehicle. During my couple of weeks with the Cerato so far, I am yet to come across someone who hasn’t had to re-think their Kia opinions. So it seems, in my experience, Kia’s effort in turning its reputation around is working.
Life with the Cerato continues to be enjoyable. I decided to be fair and give the Cerato some settling-in time before drawing some hard and fast fuel figures from it. For around-town and heavy city driving, the Cerato was using around 8.2 litres per 100km, according to my calculations.
However, since we took the Cerato on a long country drive, and it has clocked past that 1000km mark, the fuel figures are dropping drastically. On the long drive I speak of, while the intention was to take in some fresh country air, we sat in peak-hour roadwork traffic for near on two hours.
Just for the record, we travelled 29km in 90 minutes! When we next refuelled, the Cerato had used 25.01 litres over 341.1 km, giving a figure of 7.3 litres per 100km. The in-dash display was estimating an average fuel intake below seven for some of the trip.
The manufacturer claims a combined figure of 7.8 litres per 100km and I would say that is pretty accurate and expect the Cerato will sit around that figure from here on in; if not better.
I am constantly receiving compliments on the Kia’s colour, Santorini Blue premium paint which is certainly a head-turner. There was a second purpose to our jaunt to the country – to catch up with my son’s grandparents for his third birthday – and in the small country town inwhich we met in, there was plenty of attention centred around the glistening blue Kia.
The sound system is fantastic for such an affordably priced car. It has six speakers; front door, rear door and front tweeters and the USB input is iPod compatible and automatically displays the song information on the central LCD screen.
I tested the stereo as best I could with a song carrying plenty of bass and was surprised with the little, to no vibration from the speakers. Directly below the input jacks and the 12volt outlet is a handy storage space to stash a phone and iPod, so there is no need to be stretching cords all over the place.
Another bonus which I have found to be a rarity in cars I have tested is a mute button. It may sound trivial, but I love the ease and immediacy of a mute button on the steering wheel; to quickly hear the kids, talk to the drive thru speaker or use the hands-free.
The cruise-control buttons, located on the right of the steering wheel, are very simple to use with no need to take my eyes off the road and I have found the cruise to be accurate.
One small gripe I have, which is just an attention-to-detail thing, is the illuminated cruise control “SET” light. It is located underneath the fuel level needle, so when the needle gets to a certain point, the “SET” light is all but obscured from view. Not something that really impacts on driving, but little things like that annoy me.
Overall, the instrument panel is very clear, well lit and easily read. The large speedometer is central and in the main view of the driver, two smaller dials are off to each side – tachometer on the left and fuel gauge on the right. The heat gauge is part of the in-dash display, located below the three dials.
I am in two minds about this as I love the easy read dials and their un-crowded nature, but I also like the constant reminder of the temperature. At the moment I am coping with scrolling through options to check the heat.
The boot space held up to a week away with the family. The boot is very deep and with things packed right in against the seat back, it is surprising what can be fitted into the sedan’s cargo area. Occasionally I would have a bag obstructing the hinge struts, but so far I have no qualms with the space.
I am yet to test the Cerato with the full five adults so I can’t really speak about rear leg room and space. Of course, the two kids in their car seats are more than comfortable and my now three-year-old always asks for a ride in the “blue car” and thinks of things we might need at the shops so we can go for a drive.
The climate control is easy to use and cools or warms the front of the car in an instant. One thing I am still debating the impact of , if any, is the absence of rear air-conditioning vents. While the kids haven’t looked hugely uncomfortable, they aren’t able to give any hard and fast feedback on whether the Cerato needs those rear vents.
There is a good chance the large front vents do enough to cool the whole car. I’ll put this to the test when I stash my three adult passengers across the back.
I can vouch for the effectiveness of both the headlights and windscreen wipers after my long trip. Both are without fault. I did notice, however, after about three hours of sitting in the Cerato’s seats they seem to harden a little, and the comfort factor declines. But that is more than long enough for one to be behind the wheel without a leg stretch anyway.
So it’s a case of so far so good with the Cerato. My next instalment will bring with it some expert back-seat feedback, the usual day-to-day run-arounds and another trip to the country, hopefully this time with less roadworks.
Tags: Kia Cerato
i really like the cerato much nicer than the cruze bring on the LPG hybrid
Yet another excellent review Rose.Sounds like a great little car,especially for the money.
This car is the car that’s changed the Kia image to me. With the release of the Soul, Kia really is no longer the cheap alternative, now it’s the smart alternative.
Aaaaannnd I see a TyTn II =P
I have referred a few customers to C.A’s long term reviews. Also some of my existing customers enjoy reading reviews on the cars they have already bought. It’s a great idea to get long term first hand experience with a product you are reporting on. I hope you have loads more fun with the “Blue Car”
What happened to Kia website? I thought it was hacked. That is an ugly entrance.
Regarding Cerato – I have also test driven it. Nothing exciting except price. So a good average car for cheap price –> that is good.
I have one reservation: the safety is not 5 star – and now a days 5 star safety is a norm. While ANCAP test has not been for the 2009 model – I believe the basic building material has not changed. Stability control will give them a boost, but frontal crash test result was poor.
Rose Harris writes:
“When I tell people I am testing a Kia, the response is usually a less than enthusiastic one and I have even felt a distinct “oh, you poor thing” response from some.”
More than likely responses from ppl who’ve had bad experiences with Kia product in the past, especially in the late ’90s when they were simply a disaster. I once worked in a Ford dealership that also sold Kia. My hair turned grey very quickly when customers would bring them in for the first service, yelling and screaming, with a 3-page long list of problems.
VW Freak.
If you were working in a Ford dealership in the 90’s you would have been selling the Festiva as well. Did you ever notice the “Kia Motors Australia” stamp on the build plate? So what problems did the Festiva have? The only thing Ford on the Festiva was the badge.
Great review Rose, would like to read about comparison of the Kia with other cars you are testing. I am recommending CA to my friends and family who are looking at buying new cars, CA is a great resource.
Salesman, VW Freak didnt refer to any specific Kia model. I remember the 90’s Sportage, my god – the gearbox would give out in 2 years! Those things were horrible.
I like this car though, better than the Lancer/Corolla alternatives. Looks great too!
There hasn’t been any official word on what the Cerato crashes like as yet.
The crash test for the Soul has come out and it scores a 5 on the US test.
In a short while the Cerato will be sold on the US market and I would predict it gets a 5 star as well.
I have strong doubts Kia would allow a 4 star car to be released on the most ligitious market on the planet. To think otherwise is certainly blinkered.
One thing Rose has not touched on that I think should be a strong point is the green rating Kia have achieved with this car. Four and a half stars on the Australian Green Vehicle Guide.
Here is the top 20 list.
1 . smart fortwo
2 . Toyota Prius
3 . Fiat 500
4 . Fiat Punto
5 . Toyota Yaris
6 . Citroen C3
7 . Volkswagen Golf
8 . Fiat Ritmo
9 . Kia Soul
10 . Audi A3
11 . Honda Civic
12 . Peugeot 207
13 . Hyundai i30-Kia Cerato
14 . Toyota Corolla
15 . Audi A4
16 . Mercedes-Benz B200
17 . Citroen C4
18 . Mercedes-Benz A200
19 . Honda Civic Hybrid
20 . Mercedes-Benz C200K
A Fantastic result especially when you conceder that even BMW. Lexus, Mazda, Ford, Holden or Nissan haven’t a single one in the top 20 were Hyundai – Kia have three.
Great review thanks! What happened with the Rondo anyway? Was that long term review car returned back to Kia?
After driving a diesel sorento for about a year, I currently drive a SLI cerato just like the one in the review, however its a black one!
Overall, I think its a fantastic car for the price. Drives real well, handles well and also looks are better then all the other competitors in its class. For eg the new Mazda 3 is a shocka! Further to this I am getting anywhere between 600-700 kms out of a 52L tank.
Cheers
There are lots and I mean lots of other cars for the money. Kia = Cheap and nasty. I have driven one by the way, the plastic is cheap for a start and the whole experience something to forget really.
i like the cerato i hope a sportier version comes out in rwd 2door
completely worthless comment there
you would think that the reviewer is a reasonably intelligent person
if she thought the car was rubbish i would think she would say so
i’ve only sat in a Cerato (not an easy task with only four dealers in Sydney) and the plastics looked no worse than any other car in its class… was worse than i’m used to but in my opinion was not a *huge* stretch down from an Audi A3 which I would consider to be the class leader for small cars
I think it still comes down to the fact you pay $23,990 drive away for a top of the line car with no options to consider except the $2k auto.
Now what else is there? If you spec. a Corolla or Civic or Cruze or whatever to a similar degree you are probably up to $33,900 and you are still stuck with a buzzy four cylinder and a 4 spd. crummy auto… and your warranty is still 3 yrs vs. 5 yrs.
What a losing proposition.
Don’t like blue at all – the colour has decreased in popularity in the past ten years from 18% of cars to 12%, so resale will be troublesome. Also, FOUR SPEED AUTO?! C’mon, is this 1999 or 2009? Get with the times Kia. 5-speed or CVT.
i like the blue but it’s overplayed… it’s a Honda Accord or Nissan Skyline colour. I kinda like the ‘light graphic’ but I dunno if it’s a silver or light blue?
Anyway Hyundai do have a 2.4 litre four cylinder that has a 6 spd manual or 5 spd auto but it’s for the US market only.
I would imagine that some time next year they will have a 6 spd. manual and automatic for their inevitable ‘Series 2′ model.
I agree for RIGHT NOW, 5 spd. manual and 4 spd. auto is a bit 1990’s spec. for my liking.
Also they have this:
http://www.kia-world.net/wp-co.....koup11.jpg
http://www.kia-world.net/wp-co.....etires.jpg
very smart looking car and i hazard a guess that it’s very practical given the big liftback boot and as long as you only need to transport kids in the back
Wow Rose is easily impressed isn’t she. This thing is quite a long way from the league of being a “good loking car” – it’s average at best.
All these fluffy glowing reviews of Kia’s. Who is she trying to impress.
Just imagine the review we’ll get when Rose actually gets into something half decent.
Rose is fast becoming the reviewer the to skip past.
at this point i’m expecting someone to point out something about female reviewers and/or Kia kicking in the advertising dollars to CA
i mean it usually comes down to that for any review on Korean cars on this site
I find it to be a very conservative design which smacks of the old Accord euro… almost too much so
but to be honest, we are talking about cheap 4 cyl. cars here. If you want something smart looking you need to go to VW Golfs or Audi A3s. All cars in this class are compromises in styling. I’m personally not trendy enough to pull off a Civic or Mazda 3 (eww) or any of these so called “cool” hatches. By the same token I’m not colourless enough to go with a Corolla/Lancer either.
Kia is getting good reviews because it deserves good reviews. Hyundai – Kia now challenge the Germans and Japanese for value and style and Rose is not the first to say it.
Why did you read the review if you don’t have some interest in the product?
I bet you are used to hearing the word “average” Bill. Sums up most of what you do i guess?
Looks good on the outside, shame about the interior though-looks very cheap. I saw a gold coloured one on the road the other day, I looked very classy with tinted windows.
Salesman.Dont hear much about Hyundai/Kia in the global crisis they seem to be doing very well while the others are sinking.Are they still going strong or in trouble as well????
Going strong Gazman. Posting growth in most markets.
Bill,
You to just proved to everyone on this blog that you have no idea of what is going on in the Automotive Industry and products involved.
Still don’t understand why some people still refuse to accept that KIA produce vehicles that are on par with the competition. It is just pathetic. Clearly these people are wrong, because if KIA really did make cars as bad as these people say, wouldn’t they have gone completely out of business a long, long time ago?
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As for people saying that KIA pay people or insinuating the reviewer lacks mental capacity and is easily impressed… Do you listen to yourselves? and realise how idiotic that sounds? I guess not.
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That’s why your the reader and not the reviewer, to be a reviewer you need to be mature and have an unbiased view on that which is being reviewed. If it were one of you that reviewed something, it would be nothing but biased slander.
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Show some respect. If the more than capable reviewer says its a good car, then who the hell are you to dispute that by insulting the reviewers competence. It is as if you people intentionally go and come on these KIA related articles simply to post slander toward the brand with no factual evidence. Just to cause trouble. Nothing more.
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If you are at the shopping centre and don’t like reading, you don’t walk into a book store and bitch about how you hate books do you? Show the same respect here.
Thanks Salemans As Mr Burns would say “Excellent” I know your Kia but I’m Hyundai till I die.
Sorry I meant to write “Salesman” bit to much Shiraz???
These are a very underrated car,
as many Kias are, best with auto trans unless you live in the country. However the manual, like most modern cars are geared for economy, don’t expect to tow too much with the manual.
You won’t see ford, GM or some others being brave enough to offer a similar factory warranty.
I know a guy that Turbocharged this same engine in a Tiburon and it has not given any trouble. They are said to be a tough engine.
no i believe Kia deserve a bit of the slagging they get
an example of this is the 2000-2005 Kia Carnival
It was always on ACA/Today Tonight for engine problems. If you look on youtube you can see the crash ratings. It gets a 1 or 2 stars. In the even of an accident it’ll probably kill you and your family and some random people in the next suburb.
Now have a look at the 2006-current Kia Carnival. You will have everyone say it is a piece of crap. Look on youtube for crash ratings. It gets a 5 star. The crash is amazing in that none of the glass is smashed. In the event of accident your family will walk away.
It is a reliable car. In the US I have not seen a bad review. Trust me, I have looked. In fact some of the sites in the US with a very performance oriented bent give it a 4/5 star rating. It is sold as a Hyundai Entourage as well.
If you bought one in 2005 you will have a bad time. If you bought one in 2006 you will be fine. What a difference a year makes.
I am no lover of Korean cars. I like good design. I can easily understand why people do not like Kia or Korean cars. I would not even look at a 2008 Cerato. The 2009 Cerato is interesting. It takes less than space of a year for a bad car to turn into a good car. It takes a lot long to claw back public perception.
Gee so much vitriol from so many ill-informed sheep.
We get that Rose is impressed by the Cerato – many aren’t. That means she is easily impressed, and I believe that she is overrating this car.
I don’t care what badge is on the front. The Cerato is a cheap option in the cheap end of the market, to be so impressed is just a little naff.
Tony, nothing to do with female reviewer, nor do I think that Kia supply anymore goods in kind for testing/reporting than any other manufacturer trying to push their product. That’s the whole point of motoring journalism – they’re all testing a supplied product and long term tests are a good thing.
Salesman, no, average is what the Cerato is, but I guess as a person who’s livelyhood depends on it we could not expect an unbiased viewpoint from you. Don’t take it personally, it’s not your fault that the Cerato is average, at best. Unusual for you to resort to personal insults
And KM, personal insults don’t generate any constructive discussion – thanks for the total “non-contribution”. Please come back when you’re mature enough to understand the topic.
Comrade, gee took that a bit personal didn’t you?
-Being easily impressed and mental capacity don’t necessarily correlate, I’m sure Rose is quite intelligent.
-I’m the reader because that’s what I like to do. I have a passion for other things to make my living. Me Biased?? I judge things on their merit. However you are biased because you can’t accept valid critisim of something.
-Just because a Journalist says something is so doesn’t mean that anyone should believe it. Perhaps you should also show some respect (look back at some of your past posts).
-As I said I don’t have anything against Kia, but let’s be realistic, the Cerato is a cheap car, let’s just tell it as it really is.
Bill, with all due respect, i don’t find any value from your posts. You say the car is cheap (as if that is something bad and wrong in itself?) and average looking. That is fine.
But are you able to tell me why you don’t like the car? I assume you have driven one?
I am genuinely interested because I am always interested in what’s wrong with cars rather than what’s right.
In my opinion every car should have 5 star crash ratings and be well made and be reasonably quick and affordable.
I want to know where a car fails and whether I can live with these failings.
Or maybe you are saying that Car Advice should cater to the $57k+ market and not bother reviewing ‘cheap’ cars?
I mean why should poor people drive at all? Why are you even in this thread? This sort of car is beneath you. Go back to the supercar reviews. I mean there’s enough of them here…
Bill – I wasn’t trying to aim anything personally at yourself and if it has come across like this I do apologize..
Your telling us the Cerato is a cheap car? Are we talking materials? Plastics? Looks? Price?
The Cerato drives exactly like all Japanese rivals if not a little better then them… Design wise I think it is the best in its class. Price wise best in its class with all the standard features the SLI comes with. The cars doors and materials used are a little “tinny” if you like, but IMO consumers have no right to complain about this as the price they are paying is a lot less then rivals… I mean auto sensing lights, speed sensitive lock, climate control, 17 inch alloys, parking sensors, aux/ipod/usb input….. the list just goes on…
Everyone knows that KIA isn’t a brand which has the best reputation in Australia, as mentioned above the earlier model carnivals were an absolute disaster… But this brand has come a long way over the past few years and is getting better.
Did you not take these into account before all your comments?
At no point have I said Cerato (or Kia in general) are “bad”. Definitely spec vs price it’s a typically Korean story of loaded up for your dollar.
All I’ve said, and I stand by it as my opinion, is that of late Rose seems to have lost the plot with some over glowing reviews of some cars, that probobly don’t reflect the reallity.
For example, 4.5 stars for the i30cw
(particularly appearance) is just out of whack.
I’ve enjoyed some of her past reviews, but something seems to have happened lately – did she get critisized by the manufacturers for being too tough, and now gone too soft?
no it’s very easy to cut and run in this forum
I personally found some of the comments in the Mahindra reviews to be very disgusting and believe me, I have no particular love for Indians.
It’s also very easy to make sideways comments about females and then say that gender has nothing to do with it. I mean who is she trying to kid? There’s the insinuation that because Rose finds the car attractive “she’s easily impressed” as if females cannot possibly be objective because the car is “pretty”.
As I say, drive the car and then tell me what’s wrong. I also don’t like puff pieces… I’d rather read why cars are crap rather than why they are good. Anyone can crap on about the number of airbags but I really like to see where a car falls down. As yet I haven’t seen anyone here who’s able to give me a point by point rundown about why their test drive of a Cerato has disappointed them.
To be fair I’m pretty certain I’m gonna be disappointed given I’ve grown up driving high powered RWD cars but any perspective is good, even the genuinely bad reviews… if they a honest in their intent.
Methinks Bill has a bit of a badge snobbery problem.
Having had first-hand experience (and a new KIA in our family) of new KIA products, I have absolutely nothing bad to say.
Tony, Sorry I seem to have missed your point. Cut and run?
Tony read my last post – probably posted while you were writing yours.
Rose didn’t like the Barina last year, and it’s “cute”. I don’t think it looks any worse than this.
This has nothing to do with gender, just a reviewer as an individual. Her reviews have changed of late, the hardline “what’s right and what’s wrong” seems to be missing.
Roddy, read again a bit more carefully. My point isn’t about Kia.
who knows what to think? he has the classic Kevin Rudd flip/flop mentality.
I’m no fan of cheerleader reviews but by the same token I can’t expect people to invent problems that don’t exist.
If it was me I’d take a more performance and handling bent but people will see what they see as good and bad and this reviewer obviously is more interested in the practicality side.
I dunno… maybe they need to hand the car to various reviewers for a week at a time for a ‘Wheels’ style multi reviewer battle royale.
I think Bill is expecting too much. I have rarely seen a site that truly bashes a car the way a US or UK site does.
Tony, go have a read of Rose’s review of the Barina – where she calls a spade a spade.
And now I’m really insulted and deeply offended: compared to Kevin rudd.
Actually I haven’t changed my comments at all, it’s just all of the Kia fanclub jumping to conclusions.
i have no interest in barinas. The barina is a daewoo right?
there’s your answer right there. That’s all I need to know. I don’t give her any kudos for saying a Daewoo is a bad car.
I see a lot of nitpicking on the her part on the Cerato. That is fair enough. But I still don’t see how that makes her review bad, nor does it make the review illegitamate nor does it make this car bad.
As I say, I will call a spade a spade. I make my views known on the old Carnival. I have driven the new one and I recognise it for what it is.
All I see is a lot of slagging off of a car that people haven’t driven.
guys, i have a budget of $24k max to replace my 7 yr old suzuki liana hatch (still nothing wrong with it though it clocked 125000 already) i’m thinking of getting another suzy but they just don’t have that comparable safety specs vs. ford focus/mazda3/lancer/i30 now there’s this cerato which doesn’t really look bad and all these specs and warranty, has anyone here tested any of the mentioned cars? i really need an input or advice please… just wanna take advantage of EOF year driveaway sales, thanks
The person who buys Honda City over Kia Cerato is must be insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Bill,
Kia’s chief designer is Peter Schrayer. Peter designed the Audi TT. A3 and A4. Also the VW Beatle. He has won several German design awards and is now the driving force behind Kia’s development. The Cerato is the first mass produced car under Peter’s direction and is a show case of new things to come from Kia. It is German designed from front to back with over all fit and finish rivaling any of Germanys best. Please explain just how this car is cheap. Except for the price of course.
The best thing do is go for a test drive yourself. The only issue I see is the Cerato is a sedan while the others are hatches. Ask the saleman particularly about the Cerato’s safety. That would interest me.
Bill,
Sorry, a little sleepy this evening. I meant to say Please explain just how this car is average.
What a wonderful world it would be if we all drove fully maintained press cars free of charge with a few freebies thrown in :-)
Tony,
Not yet tested but Kia expect five stars. Same as Kia Soul :)
i wouldnt mind a Cerato hatch if they bring one out to replace my Kia Rio. As much as I’m happy with it…..the gear shift is plain awful. if kia has come as far as they say id be more than happy to give them my money……..otherwise it’ll be a ford fiesta or a honda jazz sitting in my driveway
No hatch unfortunately. But a two door coupe before the end of the year
stuff the hatch then! coupe! coupe! coupe!
Suddenly KIA is on par with Mazda ,Toyota and Honda. I don’t think so.Maybe one day but certainly not now.
Sumodog – drive the cerato & rest assured you will be convinced as well.
I can plainly see that this model is light years ahead of RIO and similar.Don’t want to drive it as i don’t want a car of that size and performance.
KIA can not match ten generations of Corollas ,Civics and 323 (3) in one hit.It is a step in the right direction but only a gen 1.
There’s an old saying (by a noted Italian of all people).
Japan took 40 years to make it. Hyundai took 20 years. China will take 10.
The Japanese and Koreans have often bought their talent from Germany and Italy and France (let’s not forget Nissan).
How they make their cars I don’t really care. If it takes a German to head up a good Kia well so be it.
By the same token I don’t think a Corolla or Civic or Mazda 3 are great cars to emulate. Have you driven a new Corolla? A $38k Civic Si from England?
No I believe you should examine a car on it’s own merits and it’s own price. When I drive a Kia do I aspire to be in a Corolla? Hardly.
I’d be the 1st to admit I’m wrong. I thought my mother buying a Carnival would be the worst decision of her life. But it takes someone without prejudices to consider a Kia, like my mother. I have prejudicies but I have changed my mind and I am open to Koreans or Indians or even Chinese cars.
Hell I drive an Aussie car and I hate them. If you won’t park your prejudices there’s no point even reading about Kias let alone driving them because all you do it troll places like this.
Tony i am glad your mum likes her Carnival. I ve driven and worked on few Kia’s. Not the Cerato. Don’t do much for me. Corolla and Mazda 3 are much better cars . Sales numbers confirm this is the case for majority of people.When Kia makes an equivalent to 2JZ-GTE or 13B-REW i ‘ll consider it.
Good to hear the Cerato coming along nicely.
I agree, the mute button is great. I have one on my Punto. handy both for turning to mute to hear the wife talk…. or for putting the music back on so I can’t hear her talking :)
SteveC
Have done 2500ks in identical speced Cerato to Rose’s long termer.
This is my first Kia and is a work commuter only.
It is well kitted and the reversing sensors are more useful than I expected (something I would never have considered if it had been an option) The engine is quite linear but works best in the mid ranges. Still learning the capabilities on the handling front, the ESC is interesting and not too intrusive, works well in the wet and gives good warning.
The cruise control has glitched a couple of times – not setting or not resetting. I’ve read elsewhere similar issues with i30s.
It is well screwed together with not a squeak or a rattle.
My only gripe is no driver seat lumbar adjustment or thigh tilt adjustment.
let me ask this
there’s no keyless entry push button start with the audi style key?
it’s on the overseas one but i guess they removed it here
CERATO in USA, u can spec. a optional $600 ‘Fuel Economy Package’
“Available on the EX model that upgrades the car to a five-speed automatic transmission, Motor Drive Power Steering, a “smart” alternator, silica tires, and aero enhancements. Rated at 27/36 mpg, Kia says this package makes the Forte the most fuel efficient car in its class that’s not a hybrid or diesel.”
Also 10year/100,000mile powertrain warranty
Finally “available 2.4-liter inline-four comes with an impressive 173 horsepower”
As usual not for Oz…
Cheers
F-0
it’s easy to sit over here and say how come the 370z is only us$29,990 in the US yet aud$69,990 here
or how come the Pontiac G8 is available for $28k and yet here you pay close to $50k for the same Holden SS V8 when the car is made here!
different markets are different markets
in Korea they only have the 1.6 until recently!
it’s always been this way… we often pay more for less and that’s the price of living in a market of only 1 million cars a year for 20 million people
4 star ANCAP – very disapointing.
The sister-co. i30 is a better vehicle and incs. the saftey pack as std.
The Cerato does seem to have the better 2L engine of the group though.
No trip computer on base model……PASS
Need a hatch, the sedan is not all that liked in the market
Cheers
F-0
the 4 star rating is a bit disappointing but i’d rather wait for confirmation from the US NHSTA
one thing that swings back to the Kia is that the top of the line SLi is only a little bit more expensive than the std. one esp. with the safety pack and very very much cheaper than the i30 fully optioned which pushes $30k
Cerato looks great. Seems to have good engine but where is the 5 speed auto as in the USA. An where is the auto up and down drivers power window. Both would really make this a real contender to the Holden Cruze. Why wasn’t the SLI version used to do the crash test. If it had with its Stability Control maybe the Cerato would have been given a 5 star rating not 4 as has been published. It has not been tested in Europe or the USA yet so maybe they will test a better version and give a better rating.
I am looking at buying a new car next year and my choice is a toss up between Cerato and Cruze. I hope Kia makes at least a 5 speed auto available maybe even a 6 speed.