New Kia Cerato GT arrives

The facelifted 2021 Kia Cerato has launched in Australia this week, headlined by the sporty GT model that’s now confirmed as carrying a sticker price of $35,290 plus on-road costs, or $36,990 drive-away.

That manufacturer’s list price, which applies to either the sedan or hatchback, represents an $1100 increase compared to the previous series, but is offset by revised styling, suspension modifications and extra standard equipment.

The latter includes wireless phone charging, a larger 10.25-inch infotainment unit, ventilated front seats and improved lighting performance via LEDs for the fog lights and high-mounted rear brake light, which join LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime runners.

See our earlier report for further details of changes that apply across the range – as well as our first drive of the new 2021 Kia Cerato GT published today – but in overall terms the GT continues to hold its own as the performance leader with its carryover 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The GT’s dynamic performance is aided by 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber, along with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension that has been modified with this MY22 mid-life update to provide a more compliant ride while still retaining sporty characteristics.

Minor chassis tweaks were also carried out on other Cerato models, which use a torsion beam rear-end (and lower-output 112kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine), to improve the ride and handling balance.

At the launch of the new Cerato this week, Kia Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith said the company was battling to get hold of enough cars from the factory to meet demand from customers.

“We’re not able, as Kia and as an industry, to get cars to customers as quickly as possible,” he said.

“It’s very, very difficult to read at this point in time. We’re trying to get as many cars into the country as possible and I think you’ll find that [2021 Cerato] numbers will be solid, but they’re going to orders that were written [up to] six months ago.”

“It’s very difficult to gauge exactly what’s happening with stock at this point in time.”

As reported, a number of car companies in Australia are experiencing problems related to overseas production and supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a global shortage of microprocessors.

The Cerato is Kia’s biggest-selling model by a long way and one of the top three contenders – behind the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 – in not only the small car segment but the entire passenger car sector as a whole.

Kia Australia says the new GT should continue to account for around 20 per cent of total Cerato sales, while the base S is expected to be most popular, soaking up 55 per cent.

Private buyers account for two-thirds of sales, while the rest are sold to fleet buyers.

How much does the 2021 Kia Cerato cost?
S – $25,490 plus ORCs ($25,990 drive-away)
S with Safety Pack – $26,490 ($27,490 drive-away)
Sport – $27,590 ($27,990 drive-away)
Sport with Safety Pack – $28,590 ($29,490 drive-away)
Sport+ – $30,640 ($31,690 drive-away)
GT – $35,290 ($36,990 drive-away)