Comments on: Comparison review: Honda City, Holden Cruze, Kia Cerato

By: vikaram

vikaram — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 07:21:24 +0000

I bought this car A STAR VXI one month back. It gives me good mileage, comfort, easiness in driving. It is an ideal vehicle for middle class families. EPS, integrated audio system, power windows on all 4 doors, remote fuel lid opener, boot opener, effective A/C ample power, contemporary style and FE makes this vehicle ideal.

By: The Salesman.

The Salesman. — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:25:25 +0000

It doesn’t seem to matter how many cogs are in the box when it comes to economy or hill climbing so why the fuss about the Cerato’s four forward gears? IMO more gears mean more shifting around, I don’t like how a six speed is always hunting around for a gear, don’t forget the driver has the ability to hold a gear for as long as they like if need be.

By: JEKYL & HYDE

JEKYL & HYDE — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:03:14 +0000

had a brief look at this months wheels mag giant small car comparison(11 cars).tiida last,lancer and corolla down low,cruze forth(everyone thinks its quiet but sluggy)focus third(but noisy,mismatched auto)mazda second(noisy)golf 1st(but big money)

now given mazda and corolla are the buy car leaders,its a safe bet that cruze will sell in good numbers to the holden faithfull.i have a BIG question mark over its fuel consumption.1.8lts,1500kg tare,7.5ltrs average(auto)i think not…

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:11:53 +0000

F-O,
The Lancer is a great drive. Some on here have complained of poor road noise, but I never noticed it to be bad let alone worth noticing.

The only performance cross it gets is for the CVT auto box.
It just feels sluggish, but in saying that its 0-100 time is what you expect from the class anyway. On the upside it returns great economy in comparison to others

The only one with any feel of get up and go in Auto is the Mazda 3. It was already quite punchy in the old gen, and since they have upgraded the inlet and a couple of other things, its notably punchier again.

Lancer is good value, I agree 100% with you on that

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:17:16 +0000

Frontman^^^^

Noted your comments and seem spot on.

The Corolla will sell because its a BigT[tm.F-0] Corolla and is great vehicle for what your paying.

But yeah, no class leader, and almost pov.pack in what you get.

Once again, Made In Japan Mitsubishi Lancer ES [sedan/hatch] $20,880 DRIVEAWAY for a fully loaded quality vehcicle is the star buy ATM, better than any of this Korean/Thailand 3, and CHEAPER to boot!

NO idea what they are like or drive like, ask me after this Saturday a/noon!

Be great to know about the MY10 coming out in August, any news C/A?

Cheers

F-0

By: Frontman

Frontman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:09:52 +0000

F-O why would you chose the darling of the four cylinder fleet world with Equal road dynamics to the three tested here with ludicrously small boot area and poor equipment levels (comparatively) over these three vehicles?? Don’t give me the resale resale resale argument because the amount of ex renter and Govco Fleet Corolla’s comming back onto the market is driving them down in exactly the same way it did to th 6’s.
The Kia has more room better performance and more equipment and when driving the two back to back the KIA drives better.

By: JEKYL & HYDE

JEKYL & HYDE — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:10:33 +0000

hang on frugal one,

24k corolla(with how many bags,no esp,no cruise,no auto lights,smaller boot,no rear powerdows etc)vrs 26k cruze(and lets face in,cruze is nicer inside than corolla).be fair now(and yes,i believe holden are making good coin on every one)…

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:53:29 +0000

Life has just got a LOT more difficult for this trio, you can currently buy private buyer market-leader Corolla [most of the time] BigT[tm.F-0] in auto driveaway for $24k!

Koreans are DREAMING, this lot needs to be loaded [ie up spec.model] auto/driveaway for UNDER $20k, only a fool would buy one of these over a Japanese legend such as the Corolla at the price they are offering it.

Once again a bit of a nod for the Lancer due to its MY09 run out status.

Cheers

F-0

By: zahmad

zahmad — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:55:02 +0000

I’m with you Byron!

By: Byron

Byron — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:13:10 +0000

Interesting Comparison. I’d class City as a light car. But Cerato is certainly good looking. But Holden Cruze tops it. Better than a Corolla thats 4 sure. My friend has a 2009 Corolla sedan & it looks awful. Lines all over the place. Toyota couldn’t give a stuff really.

Holden Cruze looks really good inside & great outside. Holden always manage 2 take great attractive pics of their cars. It is selling, i know. Out of stock in some areas. Just the petrol engine is the only con. Once its made in Australia & has its facelift & 1.4 Turbo, it will soar. I don’t really care thats its made in Korea. Get over it. I’m sick of ppl not liking it cause its made in Korea. Can’t change it. Just accept it. Its 1 of the best cars to come out of Korea EVER! Go HOLDEN :)

BTW I’d rather any other small car to lead other than Corolla. F%$KING UGLY.

By: mad max

mad max — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:13:29 +0000

I’m not sure how CA came up with the fuel economy for the Cruze. The car I drove had around 2′500K’s on the clock and it was showing a combined average of 7.8L/100. I drove it for 190kms and gave it a good test and took it back with it showing 8.0/100. I spoke to the sales guys and they said that it had been give a bit of a thrash since being put on the demo fleet, all of which was in and around the suburbs bar one drive to Warragul and back where it averaged 6.5/100 after having the trip computer re-set. I would only assume that it would improve with more “k’s” up. I have read plenty of local and overseas reports that show much better economy. The end result of the drive is that a new Cruze will sit in my sisters driveway in 6 weeks time.
Tried to convince her to wait until later in the year when the new 1.4 turbo engine is released but she liked it so much, she had to have one. Like yesterday!
Believe me it is a good car. Much better than a Corolla, City or Cerato.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:56:37 +0000

Frontman,
they were doing the CL with frre alloys, safety pack and a couple of other goodies for that coin not so long ago. not sure if it still comes with that.

Either way 19K is good value for a car of its calibre.

Still, I would probably tick 8K worth of boxes on a Focus before buying a Kia badge even though it seems a little fresher.
I just cant help but feel the Cerato would be a bigger hit with at least a Hyundai badge on it

By: Frontman

Frontman — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:56:38 +0000

John I have to agree with you, the Lancer did not impress me with it’s road manners or vocal sound track either. If money was the Discerning factor and I had to get the most for my dollar I would struggle to go past runnout LT Focus CL, no thrills and WAAAY down on equipment but at under 19K drive away it’s the best driver (manual) or if driving wasn’t the be all, and I was looking a transport and room then but ugly Tiida wins. Of the tested three I probably lean towards the Kia, as it seems the better overall package.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:53:44 +0000

F-O,
that clears nothing up……. in fact it confuses your point further

Damn right the extra bags are only 800 bucks extra, but then they arent exactlly standard are they????

Cruze has the bags and stability control as standard whereas you imply they arent…..

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:52:41 +0000

John^^^^

*Maybe* this alleged issue has been adressed [i think?]

Sent a email to MMA and just got this reply:

“We acknowledge receipt of your enquiry regarding the new Mitsubishi Lancer.

With regard to the upgraded Lancer, which will be released later this year, there will be slight specification changes.”

They never said what is going to change, maybe C/A can shine some light in this area?

Cheers

F-0

By: John

John — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:41:15 +0000

Sorry, a bit off-topic, but: I’d agree with the comments about the Lancer being good value, and with good levels of standard equipment. But, when I test drove one, it was so noisy! The road noise was very bad. I know noise is subjective – do others think the Lancer is noisier than the opposition?

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:38:16 +0000

AndrewM^^^^

The Lancer ES has 3 airbags as std. a option for a further 4 [total of 7] is $800 extra.

It has traction control, stability control, trip computer etc all as std. while the others its optional, and in haondas case, not even available.

Hope that clears it up.

Oh, and “Made In Japan” best warranty and back up to boot!

Cheers

F-0

PS On the Mitsu. website they have them for $20,880 driveaway and then “09 runout model” so a new [improved?] MY10 must be getting released soon?

By: Bavarian Missile®™

Bavarian Missile®™ — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:32:40 +0000

Well I guess the Cruze should have worse fuel efficiency,smaller engine heavier car and from my experience auto cars are thirstier on fuel than manuals,which the Cerato is.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:19:34 +0000

F-O,
I have just re-read and have seen how you must have interpereted what i said.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:17:18 +0000

Frugal,
Thats exactlly what I said, Thanks for the echo.

I was talking in reference to the Mazda 3.
I said if you cant afford to stretch the budget further or sacrifice a couple of extras, then the Lancer satisfies because it is in the price range of these 3 and has good kit. But in saying that, price points aside, the 3 is easily the class leader

I will question you though, if you say the Lancer has more kit, does it now come with the extra airbags standard???
Previously the ES only got 3 bags standard.