New Kia Cerato sedan: Full Australian details

The third-generation Kia Cerato has arrived in Australia in sedan form and will be followed by an all-new hatchback sibling by the end of this year.

Kia’s strong value proposition for its top-selling models looks set to continue with pricing unchanged at $19,990 drive-away for the entry-grade Cerato S.

For 2018 this is bolstered by significant improvements in safety and infotainment technology across the three-variant range, which now comprises S, Sport and Sport+ grades.

The newly styled Kia Cerato sedan draws visual cues from the larger Stinger fastback, the stronger body again riding on locally-tuned suspension.

Driveline choices remain unchanged from those found in the outgoing model, Australia retaining the first-generation multipoint-injected Nu (112kW/192Nm) 2.0-litre petrol engine and six-speed transmissions in lieu of the more efficient second-generation direct-injected Nu unit and continuously variable transmission offered in the North American market (where it’s sold as the Kia Forte).

Manual Cerato models return a claimed combined average fuel economy figure of 7.6L/100km, automatic models 7.4L/100km. Consumption increases by 0.1L/100km with the arrival of the new model, primarily due to an increase in kerb weight (from 1295kg tare, +15kg).

Importantly, the new Kia Cerato range arrives standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), drive attention alert warning, forward collision warning, front/rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist and reversing camera.

Six airbags and tyre pressure monitoring are likewise included, and join 16-inch steel wheels (space-saver spare), cloth seat trim, cruise control and a six-way adjustable driver’s seat.

All variants receive a larger 8.0-inch (+1.0-inch) ‘floating’ infotainment array with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony is also included, so too digital radio reception (DAB), voice recognition and manual air-conditioning.

For the mid-tier Cerato Sport ($23,690 drive-away) the kit list adds 17-inch alloy wheels (space-saver spare), satellite navigation with 10 years of updates, a premium steering wheel and gearshift knob, aero blade-style wipers, and sport-patterned cloth upholstery.

Finally, top-grade Kia Cerato Sport+ ($26,190 drive-away) adds pedestrian and cyclist recognition to its AEB system (dubbed AEB Fusion II), adaptive cruise control, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and push-button ignition, leather upholstery, folding mirrors, and dual-zone climate control with rear-seat ventilation outlets.

Option safety packages see Fusion II AEB, adaptive cruise control (auto. models only), blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, folding mirrors and a leather steering wheel available on Cerato S and Cerato Sport models for $1000.

Cerato Sport+ buyers can add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for $500.

All Kia passenger cars remained backed by the manufacturer’s market-leading seven-year/unlimited-km warranty, roadside assistance and capped-price servicing program.

Despite sharing an identical 2700mm wheelbase, the new Cerato grows marginally over the outgoing model, the windscreen set further back to enhance the length of the bonnet and the front overhang extended by 20mm to 900.

Overall length grows by 80mm to 4640, the rear overhang by 60mm to 1040 and overall height by 5mm to 1440. Width is unchanged at 1800mm.

Inside, ergonomic improvements see the dashboard now 18mm wider with a centre screen fixed 68mm higher than before, while the armrest is higher (+31mm) and longer (+27mm).

There’s 4mm of additional headroom (985mm front and 952mm rear), 3mm more legroom (1073mm front and 906mm rear) and 10mm of extra shoulder-room in the back seat.

Cargo space grows by 20 litres to 502, the larger boot aperture and 60:40-split/foding rear bench (with in-built armrest) making the carriage of bulky items easier to manage.

All Cerato variants feature motor-driven (electric) steering with tilt/reach adjustable column, four-wheel disc brakes (280mm front, 262mm rear), and locally-tuned MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension that Kia said was benchmarked against the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra/i30 and Volkswagen Golf.

“It is never easy to progress from a model which has enjoyed the popularity and success that the Cerato has, but it is a fact of life and business that if you don’t move forward then you are going backwards,” said Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith.

“There is no denying that Cerato has been a cornerstone car for us in the Australian market, and with the new generation car all the things that made Cerato great are still there, just that little bit better.”

Although a strong seller for Kia, the Cerato sells in only half the numbers of small car segment leaders, the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. The Cerato ranks fifth overall in year-to-date sales with 5904 registrations (or 9.3 per cent of the segment).

The Kia Cerato tails the Volkswagen Golf (6211), Hyundai i30 (8654), Mazda 3 (11,177) and Toyota Corolla (12,243).

Kia sold 54,737 vehicles in 2017, of which 18,731 (34 per cent) were Ceratos. The brand anticipates cumulative sales in excess of 60,000 units in 2018, which it says will push it to sixth place on the local sales ladder, ahead of Holden for the first time.

The 2018 Kia Cerato sedan range goes on sale this week. Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our local launch review and video.

How much is the 2018 Kia Cerato sedan?
Cerato S — $19,990
Cerato S auto — $21,490
Cerato Sport auto — $23,690
Cerato Sport+ auto — $26,190
Safety Pack 1 — $1000 (see text)
Safety Pack 2 — $500 (see text)
Metallic paint — $520
* All prices are drive-away