By Ewan Kennedy
KIA is finally making an impression on the sales sheets in the smallmedium car market in Australia.
Previously it has struggled in this segment as buyers have traditionally preferred Japanese cars once the price rises above the rockbottom area but Cerato is selling around 400 to 450 cars per month and the numbers look as though they will increase.
A major reason for the success is that Kia gives a huge number of extras in the Cerato.
You not only get power windows, door mirrors, a sixspeaker CD stereo, and air conditioning, but also something special in this class, cruise control.
Getting items like this in an $18,990 car is unusual and buyers are impressed with the sales strategy. That price is for the fivespeed manual while a fourspeed automatic will set you back a further $2000.
Kia Cerato is sold only as a single model with one engine and a fourdoor sedan body. A fivedoor hatch may come later.
Styling is conventional without being bland.
Some may say that it’s too conservative for this market segment but many buyers like it like that and there’s little doubt that the shape, too, is having a positive effect on sales.
Cerato is taller than average for a smallmedium sedan yet doesn’t look overly high to the eye.
Interior space is enhanced by the extra height as the front seats don’t have to be adjusted all the way back by tall travellers so there’s very good legroom and headroom in the back for two large adults.
Alternatively, three preteen children can be carried with a minimum of intersibling argument.
Boot space is good and the rear seat backs are released for folding by using levers at the front of the boot, avoiding the usual leaning into the back door and fumbling around among rear seat headrests and seatbelts.
However, as is the way in many current designs, the short tail of the Cerato makes for a tight boot opening and getting bulky items in can be allbut impossible at times.
Build quality in Korean factories is improving all the time. The body of the Cerato is generally tight in its margins and smooth where lines converge. The paint job is good.
The interior still shows a few blemishes, but nothing like those you would have come across five to 10 years ago.
It’s not only the standard convenience features that impress. Cerato comes with plenty of performance courtesy of a 2.0litre engine when many in the class come with 1.8litre or even 1.6litre units.
As is often the way, a bigger engine doesn’t necessarily mean increased fuel consumption unless you push the car along, that is.
Our test manual Cerato used seven to nine litres per 100 kilometres in the country and 10 to 12 litres per 100 around town.
Motorway driving at 110 to 120 km/h routinely saw the consumption drop below seven litres per 100 kilometres.
There’s a more solid feel to the car than from any previous smallmedium Kia. It cruises comfortably at motorway speeds and rough roads don’t knock it around overmuch.
Handling is safe and predictable although far from sporty in its feel.
The steering is rather light and understeer starts to set in at speeds not much more than those achieved by the average driver.
Better tyres would probably help but as the Cerato is definitely aimed at the normal driver, not the driving enthusiast, the dynamics are probably fine just the way they are.
The new Kia Cerato is not only cheaper and better equipped than most of its rivals, it also has the big benefit of spaciousness which is not always a common factor in cars in this segment. It deserves a careful look at by anyone operating in the tough sub $20,000 market.
To inspect the Kia range contact Berwick Kia, 212 Clyde Road, Berwick.
Phone 9796 1777.