Buying a used Kia Cerato (2013-2018)

In 2009, the Kia Cerato moved from being a Hyundai Elantra in a better-looking suit to a more distinct and appealing contender in the all-important small car segment.

Australia saw sedan and hatchback versions of this second-generation TD-series Cerato, all with a 115kW 2.0-litre petrol engine. It sold in a narrow price band between $20,990 and $26,240.

Despite high equipment levels and keen pricing, Kia failed to crack the lucrative company and rental fleet markets, and Cerato sales during the years prior to the release of its totally revised third-generation YD series were disappointing.

The YD Cerato launched in Australia on April 1, 2013, but the sedan’s arrival was no joke for competing brands.

Kia opened proceedings with a new sub-$20,000 entry model and was keen to emphasise that every local variant qualified for a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. The Cerato hatch followed suit in August 2013.

In 2016, a mid-life update saw the shape change slightly and equipment levels improved, but the most basic variants stayed at the $19,990 come-and-get-me price.

Produced by a brand that was trying to beat its dominant partner (Hyundai) at a game it knew well, the Cerato wasn’t going to remain dull forever.

In 2017, Kia announced that a Cerato Sport model, costing a tad over $26,000, would be available in 2018, and while this seemed a perfect opportunity to drop a turbo engine from the Cerato Koup range into a four- or five-door Cerato, it didn’t happen.

Sport buyers still enjoyed a stylish ride, with sat-nav and safety packs as options, but engine output was the same 112kW 2.0-litre engine as offered by basic versions.

Buying Used: Kia Cerato (2013-18) – Quick Checklist
• Listen for dash rattles and squeaks during the test drive
• Make sure the air-conditioning is blowing cold air, not just cool
• Careless parking can damage alloy wheels and devalue a car by hundreds of dollars

Launched early in 2013, the YD-series Kia Cerato was offered in three trim levels, with 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre petrol engines and six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The YD Cerato models were conventional-looking cars, but roomy and with easy access through the doors or when loading via the rear hatch.

Basic S versions with manual transmission cost $19,990, or $2000 more if the buyer opted for an automatic. Was it as tempting a deal as it seemed? Probably.

The S came initially as a sedan, followed six months later by the identically priced hatch. The standard engine was a 1.8-litre with 110kW. The standard transmission was six-speed manual, but virtually everyone who bought a Cerato S chose the six-speed automatic.

Equipment levels were seriously good for a low-cost car, with all the main-game items like a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, air-con, four powered windows, heated mirrors and a multi-function steering wheel.

Then there were the things that buyers at this price point might not expect, such as front and rear park assist, front and rear fog lights and ‘see me home’ headlights, plus speed-sensitive stereo volume.

Safety items were crucial to Kia’s presence in fleet sales, so post-2012 Ceratos were packed with six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, emergency brake assist and a hill holder in manual versions.

Strong performances during impact tests saw Ceratos with side and head-protecting airbags awarded five-star ANCAP safety ratings.

‘S’ versions of the Cerato were offered in Premium trim as well, still with the 1.8-litre engine but automatic transmission mandatory, alloy wheels, sat-nav, front parking sensors and extra interior embellishments.

Next step up was the Si, which as a six-speed automatic sedan or hatch in 2015 cost $28,990. Most obvious among its attributes was the 2.0-litre engine with variable valve timing and 129kW of power. All Si versions had six-speed auto transmission with manual override.

Looking at the Si dash, there was a big interactive screen that displayed DVDs and showed vision from the reversing camera. This was accompanied by a ‘park assist’ graphic display that helped a reversing driver dodge other objects. The screen also showed the way to your destinations via onboard GPS.

Si buyers enjoyed push-button keyless starting, auto-on headlights, radio reception via a rear window aerial and air-conditioning ducts for those in the back seat.

Topping the YD Kia Cerato range was the SLi, also with the 2.0-litre engine and decent value at $31,990.

For that money, SLi occupants got to sit on genuine leather, with the front seats heated and power-adjustable. Other interior upgrades included sports pedals and climate-control air-conditioning.

Outside, the 17-inch alloy wheels were larger than on the Si, with 45-profile rubber and a full-sized spare below the boot. For those who liked on-the-move suntanning, the SLi package included a powered glass sunroof.

Midway through 2016, Kia did the unthinkable and produced an updated model that offered less power and torque than the one it replaced. With 112kW instead of 129kW and a matching 17Nm decline in torque, the lower-spec 2.0-litre engine became the only power unit available. It was claimed to deliver the same performance but with a fuel saving.

The updated model came with a new nose and improved lighting. Kia also claimed greater attention to intrusive noise and harshness, helped by a new choice of original-equipment tyre.

Safety upgrades included front and rear park assist on the S, but the rear camera was still an option. Blind spot and lane departure monitoring became standard in the Si, with forward collision sensors for the SLi.

If you are the kind of driver who takes the longer way home because there is less traffic and more bends, a Kia Cerato is probably not the car for you.

Whether hatch or sedan, the Cerato is spacious for its size, dependable (as you would expect with a seven-year warranty) and easy to drive under most conditions.

Electronic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes and a neatly balanced chassis make the Cerato a safe proposition for drivers with any level of experience.

The seats don’t look anything special, however somebody has put some thought into their design because the front pair feel very supportive.

All-wheel disc brakes easily deal with the car’s weight and performance, and the six-speed automatic, when in Sport mode, allows for sequential shifting. Here, the driver can feel they are at least part of the car’s process, holding gears between bends on twisty roads and throwing in some engine braking as required.

Often when commenting on the way a used car drives, we mention the negative impact aftermarket tyres can have on handling and road noise. But with some YD Cerato cars, the reverse was true, with owners making better choices of rubber than the factory did.

Noise was the major issue, so find a road on your test route with some coarse bitumen or old concrete, turn off the sound system and listen.

Later versions of the Cerato should still be covered by the manufacturer’s generous warranty unless a previous owner has done something to void the cover. A dealer, when supplied with the VIN, will be able to confirm whether the warranty remains valid.

At the same time, check that recall items have been rectified.

Fuel consumption and cost is important to buyers in this segment and the Cerato should not disappoint. Even the earlier version with its more powerful 2.0-litre engine and auto transmission will average 7.4L/100km, with a drop to 7.2L/100km if you choose the later 112kW version.

Finally, when considering a used Cerato that is five-to-seven years old, compare the used price with what a new, or at worst, demonstrator model with its full new car warranty might cost.

With a new one you also have absolute certainty as to the car’s history.

It sure is, especially if your preference is for the spacious hatch. With all seats in place, the five-door version of the Kia Cerato provides 385 litres of storage space, including a hidden section for smaller valuables.

Fold the seat and carry space zooms past 1200 litres, with a good-sized opening through which to load.

Unless the rear seat occupants are very small, the Cerato is best suited to just two passengers. Dual-zone climate-control air-con in the SLi and rear ducts in all but the basic S model will help keep everyone cool.

Kia Cerato (2013-18) – What to check when buying used
• Some 2016-18 Ceratos would display airbag warning symbols on the dash due to a software problem. Any car still showing such a warning needs to be inspected by an authorised dealer.
• Chattering or ticking at start-up is likely symptomatic of a valvetrain that is accumulating sludge. Extended periods between services save money, but where a car is used mainly for short journeys, the oil deteriorates more quickly and sludge can affect operation of the variable valve timing.
• Look inside the alloy wheels on cars with low-profile rubber. Tyres help absorb road shock but where they are low-profile with minimal cushioning, a sharp impact can transfer through the rims and buckle the edges.

Used vehicle grading for Kia Cerato (2013-18)
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for Money: 13/20
Wow Factor: 12/20
Score: 72/100

Also consider: Hyundai i30, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf