2013 Kia Cerato Launch Review
2013 KIA CERATO REVIEW
What's Hot: High quality interior, long feature list and improved dynamics
What's Not: You pay more for it; numb steering feel and pretty ordinary tyres
X-Factor: Kia continues to surprise; the quality feel inside and out will win lots of friends
Models Driven: Kia Cerato S, Si and SLi
Vehicle type: Small sedan
Price: $19,990 (Cerato S manual) - $29,990 (Cerato SLi auto)
Power/torque: 110kW/178Nm (1.8 petrol) | 129kW/209Nm (2.0 petrol)
Fuel economy listed: 6.6 l/100km (1.8 petrol MT), 7.1 l/100km (1.8 petrol AT) | 7.4 l/100km (2.0 petrol MT), 7.4 l/100km (2.0 petrol AT)
OVERVIEW
The new Cerato sedan is here, and although prices have risen so too has equipment, quality and refinement.
Kia Australia has also waved a wand over the Cerato; its Australian chassis development team has tuned the suspension for our roads.
But is the promise of more features enough to distract buyers from the higher cost of entry? The previous Cerato S started at $19,390 and had a more powerful 2.0 litre engine; the new S kicks off at $19,990 and has been downsized to a 1.8 litre.
The mid-grade Si which will be the volume-seller of the range has risen to $23,990 from the previous-gen Si’s $20,240 price tag.
Not only that, but competition is fierce in the small car segment. In terms of sedans, the recently updated Holden Cruze is perhaps the Cerato’s biggest rival, and in $22,490 SRi form is a very tough act to follow.
Kia invited TMR to the picturesque Hunter Valley region in NSW to check out the Cerato. Here’s what we thought.
THE INTERIOR
The new Cerato gets top marks for design, build quality, material quality and comfort. In fact, you’d have to buy a Volkswagen Golf to find a better interior in a sub-$30k small car.
The dash pad is made of soft, leather-grained plastic, and the harder elements around the stereo feel thick and durable.