Kia Cerato – Long Term Update
July 22, 2009 by Nadine Armstrong
2009 Kia Cerato SLi – Long Term Update
By Nadine Armstrong
The Cerato deserves a round of applause. It survived the school holiday family trip with ease, showing it has the performance, space, comfort and functionality required to cope with the ongoing demands of the average family.
Even our part-time pet, Alex the cockatiel (no he doesn’t come on every holiday), was easily accommodated and enjoyed the ride.
A couple of months into this assignment and the Cerato no longer feels like a test car, it has settled into our family life comfortably, causing no disruption to ‘normal’ family life.
It’s hard to fault the comfort and functionality the Cerato offers. The driver’s seats are soft, yet supportive, and easy to adjust. The second row is more than adequate in carrying three passengers and the boot is huge. And the Cerato tackled freeway cruising under a heavy load with ease; quiet, confident and responsive.
The Cerato has already proven itself as a very economical car. As part of our three car comparison last month, the Cerato showed it was punching well above its weight, delivering a fuel consumption figure of 6.3L/per 100km – 2.1L/per 100km less than the smaller 1.8-litre engine of the Holden Cruze, and not far off the much smaller 1.5-litre engine of the Honda City which delivered 5.6L/per 100km.
It didn’t perform quite as well on this most recent trip, admittedly which involved a much heavier load and a longer route, with the average fuel consumption sitting at around 8.0L/100km, not far off the manufacturer claim of 7.9L/100km.
Subsequent consumption figures, for strictly short-trip city driving, have returned less impressive figures of around 11L/100km. With a full tank, the Cerato instrumentation suggests a ‘to empty’ distance of 563km – clearly not based on the way I’ve been driving.
Rearward visibility is proving a slight problem for me. The rear end of the Cerato sits quite high, and as a result I still find it a little hard to judge the boundaries of the car.
However, the rear park assist on our vehicle – with audible warnings and a visual display – is very helpful. I’m very slow to entrust any sensors and parking assistance device wholeheartedly, so I still proceed with more caution than I care to bother with.
The boot lid of the Cerato has caused me a few near misses; I’m convinced stitches are imminent. It’s very light to open, which most often results in a fast and violent bounce back that nearly knocks me on the head, pretty much every time. This could end in tears and bitterness.
The gear ratios remain a sticking point. And, no, it’s not my driving. General consensus confirms there is a battle going on under the bonnet which means smooth gear changes elude all drivers of this car.
I still really like the exterior design of the Cerato. Nicely proportioned panels and harmonious lines complete a classic style that is very appealing.
With a healthy track record for over-capitalising on cars, I started to contemplate what sort of modifications I would invest in if I owned this car. It has the potential to look very slick. But for the most part, it’s fine just the way it is.
It’s still a case of happy travels.
Print it: 
Wow, I can’t believe it
no one wants to bag Korea. Maybe everyone is finally over it.
Great review.
I am more and more keen on buying this car ….
*****PRIMO!*****
Wonder what Nadine looks like, photo?
Good update, keep it up.
A few things i don’t like with the Cerato, for mine the SLi should be the base model, at the base nodel price with all the safety-kit and trip computer etc inc.
At the current price its no cheaper than Japanese so really won’t get much of a look in, bit like Proton, in no-mands-land pricewise.
The future Cerato LPG/Hybrid, thats LPI and NOT LP1[lol!] is the real star, will they make it RHD and will it be imported and sold for mid/high $20’s, be a sure fire winner and in my garage if so.
Cerato hatch to follow.
Cheers
F-0
StalkerOne, go for it.
Manuals suck. I am done with them. Never again. The 4 speed auto would surely deliver a smoother and more ambient driving experience than the annoying manual box I hear you complain about. Its a only 4 speed auto but the ratios are what count, just like the manual. Admittedly they say the auto sips a bit more fuel.
One of my mates has a 1987 325e beamer and it has a 4 speed auto which seems to work perfectly. Changes are smooth and top gear is very long. It never leaves you wanting another gear.
Manuals are lighter, more fuel efficent, quicker, cheaper and most importantly give the driver more control, as well as offering a more involving drive.
Autos are only good if you do alot of stop-start work. Autos improve the torque somewhat, but this is only for a couple of seconds. Overall, the torque converter sucks alot more energy then it gives out.
Like all trannys, there’s the good and the bad.
Unbiased and nice review. I’m thinking of recommending this car to my girlfriend now.
This car is annoying to drive. It’s not for a person who enjoys driving. I traded in a six month old Hyundai because of this reason. It’s a no from me I like to enjoy driving.
Sounds like the curse of the mismatched gear ratios stikes another Hyundai/Kia product.
Perhaps the manual ratios don’t receive much attention because they sell more autos.Slip of the torque converter can mask improper gearing for the most part.
Take the manual for a long city drive before u commit because it will be more annoying stop/start.
Fix this problem and japs would have something to worry about.
Korean Junk!
Best place for this car is in the local tip.
I drove both manual and auto base and top of the range Cerato 2009 model. I first noticed the extensive use of Cheap and nasty plastics throughout and the interior with the console,”A” pillar trims, interior power window switches and door opening lever surrounds all look like they were painted in a back yard somewhere with a silver spray pack after being pressed out of a toy model mould. Cerato lacks the quality feel big time!!
My wife noticed an annoying drumming and whine sound coming from the boot at constant speeds.The engine performance is nothing exciting but it is what you would expect from a mid sized four cylinder.I found the manual difficult not to stall.I guess i need more time behind the wheel of the manual but i was losing passion to care.I felt sorry for the young salesman who was raving about the Cerato as i was losing intrest every 100 meters of driving it.
No thanks! Not for me. I believe the Cerato will start looking ratty-tatty very quickly after a few years. I will rather take my chances buying a second hand Honda civic, even if it was five years old.
I don’t want believe your claim. I saw Forte(cerate). it is not cheap like you said.
Honda employee or Japanese?
Anyway, Great. Enjoy your old honda for entire of your life. lol.