2014 Kia Cerato SLi Sedan Automatic Review
2014 KIA CERATO REVIEW
Vehicle Style: Small sedan
Price: $29,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 129kW/209Nm 4cyl petrol | 6sp auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.4 l/100km | tested: 8.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Kia’s shapely new Cerato is without doubt one of the more visually appealing cars in its price bracket.
But its appeal is more than just skin-deep. Underneath is a great engine, a well-sorted chassis and a quality interior.
More to the point, the up-specced SLi reviewed here boasts a swag of premium features to keep driver and passengers happy.
But there is no shortage of capable alternatives in an incredibly competitive small car segment. So, is Kia’s top-end small sedan worthy of your hard-earned?
INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
Quality: Never mind the slick presentation, the Cerato has a quality interior. No, it’s not quite the equal of segment leaders like the Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, but it’s not far behind them either.
Unlike the base model Cerato S, the SLi has more soft-touch surfaces and supple leather upholstery.
Everything fits together snugly, and most of the switchgear and controls have a solid premium feel (though the indicator/light stalks still feel a bit downmarket).
Comfort: Heated and ventilated driver’s seat? That alone will win over a few buyers in the showroom, but the Cerato’s already comfortable cabin puts it in good stead even without that fancy 'power-everything' driver’s seat.
Knee-room and shoulder-room are abundant in the Cerato, though the front seats at their lowest setting don’t seem all that low. Tall drivers might find headroom a bit limited though, thanks to the presence of the SLi’s sunroof.
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