Kia Cerato 1,6 EX (2009) Driving Impression

For a good few years now the signs have been there that Korean marque Kia was destined for big things. The Picanto was an immediate success, for example. And the Sorento has been a strong competitor in the (affordable) large SUV segment. Each new generation of Kia products represent a quantum leap over what came before – this is clearly a brand that is learning very fast. One of the lessons has been that smart design is important to Europeans. Consequently, the brand has dug deep into its pockets to lure the ace German designer Peter Schreyer from Audi. This new Kia Cerato is one of his first products and the expectations are big.

Crisp, modern styling for Kia Cerato

Whereas the previous-generation Kia Cerato was a relatively nondescript C-segment competitor that failed to make a big impression, the newcomer is very different. Featuring crisp, modern styling that would do any brand proud, the new Kia Cerato is appealing from the first glance. With its short overhangs, Lexus-like rear-end and new “tiger” nose (look at the grille), the Cerato shows that Kia is starting to develop its own design language. And while there isn’t really anything groundbreaking about the design, there are some very nice details – including an interesting “stepped” shoulder line.

Riding on neat 16-inch alloy wheels, the Kia Cerato looks more expensive than it actually is, as well as more compact than the dimensions suggest on paper. And… we suspect this design is so clean that it will hardly date at all. Similarly, the cabin represents a major step forward. At first glance there may appear to be too many shades of dark grey plastics around, but feel your way around the interior and you may be surprised to find that the upper section of the facia is constructed from a soft-touch material. The instrument cluster looks very sporty, boasting three large, overlapping dials. And on the facia you’ll find a quirky centre section that houses the audio and ventilation controls within a strip of piano black plastic framed by a glossed gunmetal material.

Build quality, by the way, looks very impressive. Although the Kia Cerato looks relatively compact from outside, it is certainly among the most spacious in this class. There’s very good rear legroom as well as a commodious 415 L boot that contains a full-size spare. The rear seats are split and can fold to accommodate larger objects. Those seated in front are also well catered for, with the driver’s seat boasting height adjustment and the steering wheel being rake and reach adjustable. As per usual, Kia has ticked a lot of boxes when specifying the Cerato from Korea – this model boasts air-conditioning, front/rear fog lamps, electric mirrors, power windows all-round, a radio/CD player with USB/auxiliary support, remote audio controls and six airbags. ABS with EBD is fitted, but there’s no electronic stability system (ESP).

Powerful, but not that fast… or economical

On paper, the Kia Cerato 1,6 EX looks to be one of the star performers in its segment. Its all-alloy 1,6-litre four-cylinder engine seems to be relatively high-tech, with its twin camshafts and four-valves per cylinder. It develops an impressive 91 kW and 156 Nm of torque. Power goes to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission that delivered somewhat hesitant shifting because the gates “feel” somewhat rubbery. With a 0-100 km/h time of around 10,3 seconds, the Kia Cerato is hardly slow, but also not as fast as its relatively high power and low weight (1 236 kg) would lead you to expect. And perhaps worst of all, it is not that economical either – you’ll struggle to achieve 6,6 L/100 km, and a figure of round 8 L/100 km is more likely.

An immediate improvement would be the addition of an extra gear ratio. Cruising along on the open road at the speed limit, the cabin is not only quite noisy because the revs are high, but fuel economy undoubtedly suffers, too. There’s nothing advanced or out-of-the-norm about the Cerato’s underpinnings. It utilises a torsion beam set-up at the rear (which allowed Kia’s designers to add that big boot) and there is no electronic wizardry in action. In general, and at lower speeds, the Kia Cerato rides well, displaying good compliancy and bump absorption qualities. When the road surface deteriorates, however, the Cerato’s one major drawback is uncovered – poor NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) control. There appears to be too little noise insulation material in the body to stop road and tyre noise from infiltrating the cabin which, combined with the noisy and somewhat harsh engine (at high revs), leads to an overall impression of a lack of refinement. And, to be frank, the harder you push the Kia Cerato, the less impressive it becomes. The steering is electrically assisted and almost completely lacking in any feedback or feel, and the handling is certainly not going to get enthusiastic drivers excited.

Kia Cerato – Verdict

In many ways, the latest Kia Cerato is a major step forward. Good looks tend to sell cars, and on that front the newcomer is off to a winning start. The cabin is also neatly designed and executed, as well as being very spacious. But unfortunately the drivetrain and suspension refinement are let-downs. The engine has the power on paper, but it doesn’t translate into exceptional real-world performance. And Kia should improve the insulation of the cabin, because as it stands the levels of road, engine and tyre noise are simply too high.

We like:

• Good looks
• Classy interior
• Standard specification
• Service plan
• Spaciousness

We don’t like:

• Noisy cabin
• Ride on poor surfaces
• No ESP

Fast Facts:

Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder, petrol
Power: 91 kW @ 6 300 rpm
Torque: 156 Nm @ 4 200 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Wheels: 16-inch alloy
Top speed: 190 km/h 0-100 km/h: 10,3 seconds
Fuel economy: 6,6 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

• Toyota Corolla 1,6 Professional: The Toyota is more expensive, of course, but you do get a great deal of peace of mind for the extra outlay. And even taking that out of the reckoning, the Corolla is right up there in terms of refinement and comfort.

• Volkswagen Polo Classic 1,6 Comfortline SE: This new special edition Polo Classic is similarly priced and offers a few extras, but not enough to warrant the lofty price positioning. The Polo may have a classy cabin, but it lags in space and features.

• Hyundai Elantra 1,6 GLS: Another high-specification Korean, but this time round the Hyundai has to take a back seat to the far more modern, better specified Kia. The Elantra won’t let you down, but it’s dull as dishwater and the electric steering is atrocious.