2014 Kia Cerato Koup Launch Review
2014 KIA CERATO KOUP REVIEW
What’s hot: New styling, equipment and tasty 1.6 litre turbo.
What’s not: Looks a little too much like the Cerato?
X-FACTOR: Well-balanced, the turbo is quick on road and easy to live with.
Vehicle style: Small coupe
Price: $23,990-$32,390
Engine/trans: 150kW/265Nm 1.6 turbo petrol, 129kW/209Nm 2.0 litre petrol | 6-spd manual/auto
Fuel consumption listed: 7.7/7.3 l/100km | tested: 11.7 l/100km (turbo auto)
OVERVIEW
The second-gen Kia Cerato Koup comes with neat new lines and a potent turbo model thrown into the bowl.
While the first generation hardly set the sales charts on fire, this one has the style and improved dynamics to take the fight to the bargain coupe sector.
The 1.6 litre GDI Turbo under the bonnet is lifted from its Korean cousin, the Veloster SR Turbo. It's the first of a wave of turbo-engined cars from Kia. The 1.6 will also see duty in the pro_cee'd GT.
In the new Cerato Koup this is the engine that may change buyer perceptions. But, for those looking for something milder, the new model (like the old) also comes with a naturally aspirated 2.0 SLi.
By Kia's own admission, this isn't a hot hatch but a grand tourer.
We set out to find out what it was like.
THE INTERIOR
The Koup's dashboard is hardly the latest in avant-garde design, but it works well. The carbon-look weave of the stereo surround is a nice touch as are the ribs in the passenger side of the dash pad.
There's not a lot of difference between the 2.0 litre and Turbo for specification.
Each has cruise control, air-con, artificial leather trim, trip computer, power windows, a 4.3 inch screen for the stereo, phone and reversing camera.
The 4.3-inch screen looks a little bit lost in the dash, but has good resolution and is almost as easy to use as the excellent MyLink system found in Holden's Trax and Barina, if not as feature-packed.
The only real differences between the two models are the alloy sport pedals on the Turbo, electrochromatic rear vision mirror and push button start.
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