Comments on: Kia Cerato – Long Term Update

By: Jabba the Hut

Jabba the Hut — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:54:16 +0000

I agree Gos. The one I test drove was well built and whilst the plastics weren’t up to Euro standard they were still pretty good for a car costing this much. Fit and finish was excellent. Performance was better than a corolla I drove recently and the ride and sterring was fine.

Some people simply won’t over past the fact it is a Korean car.

By: Beazel

Beazel — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:45:28 +0000

Hi, I have had my Kia cerato S for about a week now as new, got 116klm`s on the clock.
My wife and son are impressed with the car. I traded in my Nissan Pulsar stl and cried at first, but hey if you want a family car with a huge boot and nice interior go for it. After looking at the car for a while i have sumed up that it has similiar looks of the honda accord in front, mitsubishi lancer at the back and i swear i have seen the dashboard setup exactly the same in another car?? not sure which one but i will find out eventually.
The wifey doesnt like the red lcd display for the media player. Shes got a Kia RIO Lx 1.4 and i reckon its what got us interested in the cerato because her RIO was cheap and good value for money.
We had a honda civic, and CRV and i reckon Honda is way overrated and expensive. KIA does not get the recognition it deserves.

By: Gos

Gos — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:35:09 +0000

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.

By: mekarls

mekarls — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:12:39 +0000

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.

By: get?youpayfor

get?youpayfor — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:13:34 +0000

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.

By: realcars

realcars — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:21:43 +0000

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.

By: Timberwolf

Timberwolf — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:21:43 +0000

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.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:09:06 +0000

Unbiased and nice review. I’m thinking of recommending this car to my girlfriend now.

By: Sam, the original

Sam, the original — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:00:37 +0000

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.

By: absi

absi — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:50:36 +0000

Great review.

I am more and more keen on buying this car ….