Kia Cerato S Sedan 2022 Review

The 2022 Kia Cerato is available across four model grades – entry S, Sport, Sport+ and GT – as either a sedan or hatch, with identical pricing across the two body styles.

The GT turbo pushes the top end of the range up to $35,790 plus on-road costs, but at the entry level that we’re focusing on here, the 2022 Kia Cerato S opens from $25,990 plus ORCs.

A current pricing offer has the S sedan starting at $27,490 drive-away, although the car on test here has an important Safety Pack fitted that adds $1000 to the bottom line. Our tester is also finished with premium paint that costs $520.

As part of the mid-2021 update, Kia wiped the manual transmission, making the MY22 Cerato range exclusively automatic.

At the same time, both the hatch and sedan received a nip-and-tuck at the front-end with slimmer headlights and grille, and while the hatchback’s rump went untouched, the sedan received a redesigned rear bumper, boot lid and tail-lights.

All Cerato models bar the top-spec GT turbo are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard features on the entry-grade S include 16-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), halogen headlights with high beam assist, and electric heated and folding side mirrors.

Inside, there’s single-zone air-conditioning, cruise control and a trip computer.

Every Cerato is covered by Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with roadside assistance over that period. Fixed-price servicing is also offered, costing $1083 over the first three years or $2015 over five years.

In an effort to keep the headline sticker price as low as possible, the 2022 Kia Cerato S does not come with the full gamut of safety features that Aussie buyers are fast coming to expect.

Kia reckons that’s all in the name of giving customers choice, but it has meant that both the Cerato S and Cerato Sport carry an inferior four-star ANCAP safety rating, owing to the fact that you have to pay $1000 extra for the Safety Pack option.

The other, better-equipped models in the Cerato range have a maximum five-star rating.

Standard safety features on the Cerato S are by no means meagre, including six airbags, electronic traction and stability control, ABS with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane follow assist, driver attention alert, leading vehicle departure warning, rear occupant alert, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

The lane assist function, as we’ve noticed on other Kia models, can be a little intrusive, but it’s easily turned off.

The Safety Pack, on the other hand, adds a more sophisticated AEB system – detecting cyclists as well as pedestrians and other vehicles – plus adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, rear occupant alert, safe exit warning and larger rear disc brakes: 284mm solid discs, compared to 262mm. The front brakes remain at 280mm.

As for tech, the Cerato S is the only variant to get the smaller 8.0-inch touch-screen, equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, AM/FM (but not digital) radio and six speakers.

While it’s on the smaller side, the unit’s graphics are clear, it’s responsive to touch and easy to navigate.

Likewise, a colour 4.2-inch instrument cluster for the driver is useful, displaying a digital speedo, along with fuel consumption figures, drive mode and more.

Elsewhere, front seat occupants get access to a pair of USB ports and one 12V outlet, but the rear passengers will have to fight over a single USB port.

Whereas the range-topping GT boasts a 150kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, the 2022 Kia Cerato S and other non-GT variants stick with a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

It drives the front wheels through a conventional six-speed torque-converter automatic, with the official combined-cycle fuel economy claim at 7.4L/100km on regular unleaded (GT: 6.9L/100km).

That figure was pretty well on the mark during our seven-day test, over which we averaged 7.5L/100km – aided by an economy-boosting road trip that included 500 highway kilometres.

But while we can vouch for the Cerato as a frugal machine, it doesn’t have athleticism on its side, evidenced by its engine that produces 112kW of power at 6200rpm and 192Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

That said, this entry-level sedan was never designed to rock your socks, and as an everyday driver it’s an efficient hauler, getting you from A to B without a hitch.

It can be noisy and thrashy under full acceleration, and while the six-speed transmission shifts rather seamlessly, the four-cylinder is sluggish off the mark and relatively slow to build speed.

As it goes, there isn’t much else to complain about.

Steering is light and precise and access to four drive modes – Normal, Eco, Smart and Sport – is a button-click away.

On road, the chunky (budget-friendly) Nexen tyres fitted to the base model’s 16-inch steelies make for good cushioning on rough roads but are quick to lose grip if you push them too hard, especially in the wet.

But overall, the Cerato handles road imperfections well and feels settled even over bumps and potholes. It’s effortless and uncomplicated to drive.

As you might expect for a budget-oriented model, the cabin of the 2022 Kia Cerato S isn’t much to write home about.

There’s nothing extravagant about its all-black plastic interior trim, although again, it is a story of practicality and good ergonomics.

The basic cloth-trimmed seats are soft but could use more lower back support, particularly for the driver.

Meanwhile, a tilt- and reach-adjustable steering wheel will allow almost everyone to find a comfortable driving position, while still having all the important dials and buttons within arm’s reach.

There’s also vision aplenty out of every window and six-way manual seat adjustment that allows the driver to sit nice and low in the Cerato. Alternatively, the driver’s seat can be pumped up super-high, for a better view of the road ahead.

Space in the second row is acceptable for two adults, with large door openings making ingress and egress easy.

Rear air vents (finally) are a welcome addition, while a centre arm rest and outboard ISOFIX child seat anchorage points also feature.

The luggage capacity of the Cerato sedan is an excellent 502 litres, compared to 428L in the hatch, and the split-fold rear seats come into play when loading bulky items. A temporary spare wheel resides under the boot floor.

For less than $30,000 on-road, the 2022 Kia Cerato S is a compelling offering at the bottom end of a model range that’s a major force alongside the ever-popular Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 and Mazda3.

We do have questions, though, such as why a $30K car still comes with ugly steel rims (even with silver plastic wheel covers)?

More importantly, why isn’t the $1000 Safety Pack fitted standard?

This would give buyers reassurance that every Cerato has the same ANCAP rating, reduce the possibility of confusion for customers and underline Kia’s commitment to safety across the board.

Fitted with the pack, the Cerato S covers all the major bases. It’s easy to drive, economical, practical, filled with plenty of tech and comes with one of the best warranties in the business.

With only a couple of caveats, the Cerato S sedan delivers undeniable value in today’s market.

How much does the 2022 Kia Cerato S sedan cost?
Price: $25,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 112kW/192Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 173g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (ANCAP 2019)