Kia Cerato hatch 2011 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $22,240 (Si auto), $24,040 (SLi manual)
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Premium paint $400
Crash rating: Four-stars (ANCAP, based on Cerato sedan)
Fuel: 91 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 7.5 (manual), 7.7 (auto)
CO2 emissions (g/km): 179 (manual), 183 (auto)
Also consider: Ford Focus, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Corolla

About our ratings

'Cerato' has been a marketing success story for Kia, the model name having actually lasted through two generations of model bearing the name. Gone and mostly forgotten are the Cerato's predecessors: Mentor, Spectra and Shuma -- short-lived appellations applied to previous small-car models in Kia's line-up.

The latest Cerato is essentially an update of the sedan launched two years ago, but with a stylish hatchback model added to the range -- a variant that poses a real dilemma for small-car buyers. While the entry-level Si variant offers good value for money, the higher-grade SLi is undeniably the better car -- and more so with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. But settle on the Cerato SLi with auto and you're looking at an extra $6000 outlay. For buyers with hearts set on a small car, that's quite a step up.

Is it worth it? The alloy wheels are -- in retail terms -- just about worth $4000 difference alone, and the auto box is surprisingly good for a six-speed unit in a small car. Consider that once upon a time you'd spend $2000 for a three-speed 'Traumatic' and the Kia's auto option is looking like really good value; not least of all for being exceptionally smooth and well matched to the torquey engine, delivering responsive performance.

For this review the Carsales Network tested the Si grade with optional automatic and the SLi variant with standard manual transmission. It was a revealing test.

The SLi came with a trip computer (as opposed to just a tripmeter in the Cerato Si), plus a leather-bound steering wheel, better seat trim and climate control air conditioning. So by all means go and haggle with your Kia sales person for the best deal, but make sure you opt for the Cerato SLi with the auto option ticked anyway.

Both cars tested were quite driveable for what they cost and what they represent, but even enthusiasts would be better advised to go with the automatic. The manual, as we discovered with our long-term Cerato sedans, can't meet the necessary standard for slick shifting. By contrast, the auto is a much more appealing unit and works altogether better with the engine, as already mentioned.

There's nothing wrong with the manual's shift quality itself, which is light enough for anyone and the detente is acceptably fast and positive for foolproof shifting. The clutch takeup hinders finesse and ease of launching, as mentioned in our earlier reports. While the engine itself provides linear performance across the rev range and develops torque to ease the burden of driving in traffic, it's not especially powerful for a two-litre in a small, lightweight hatch. It's also a little louder higher in the rev range than some competitors, although it's worth the aural trauma for the added pick-up around 4000rpm.

For the most part however, shopping-trolley drivers will be happy to meander along at speeds up to 3000rpm before selecting the next gear up -- and the Cerato will be perfectly acceptable in that role. Indeed it provides a velvety burble up to that engine speed and is completely free of labouring and vibration at 1500rpm. In nature, the engine is a fitting choice in combination with the six-speed automatic transmission and operates almost like a diesel engine rather than a petrol powerplant; it seems to offer plenty of torque, but less power. On the open road, the Cerato manual will use as little as 6.6L/100km, although more urban work will raise that figure to around 8.9L/100km.

More enthusiastic drivers will find that the traction control is slow to ease up once the stability control has been activated in a corner, so should you feel inclined to push the Cerato a little harder -- as in a track day or similar activity -- disengaging the stability control is a must.

If it seems inappropriate to enter a Cerato in bitumen sprints, there's this to say: the little Kia is the automotive equivalent of a kitten with a ball of string. Lively handling and communicative steering are the order of the day, but the ride remains serene for day-to-day duties. The brake pedal offers up some immediate response and feel to pressure from the driver's foot, to match the car's cornering, but the whole package is ultimately let down in the fun factor stakes by the engine and the way the clutch and transmission combine. And the manual variant in the wet can produce torque steer.

NVH is modest for a car of this price and its market aspirations. On the freeway there's an all-round mix of wind, engine and road noise, but the road noise never gets very loud, not even on country roads, and the engine noise sounds more like subdued induction noise, which is fine by us.

From a packaging standpoint, the Cerato is very roomy inside. There's plenty of rear-seat legroom for taller kids and average-sized adults. The boot space is remarkably useful. It was able to accommodate a large duffle bag of clothes and toiletries for a week away, a laptop computer, three kids' backpacks, bedding for the week, toys/DVDs and games, plus a picnic rug. The tailgate would still close without the need to remove the parcel shelf. Probably the one vice inside the Cerato was seating -- the cushions bordering on firm and not especially supportive -- but for around-town commuting they were good enough.

In all then, the Cerato is surprisingly roomy and could double as a small family car at a pinch. It's practical and reasonably comfortable for the price. We're impressed by the relatively low fuel use in a petrol-engined vehicle and the automatic transmission is outstanding.

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