Kia Cerato Manual Sedan

Kia Cerato Manual Sedan
February 2005
Report No.724, by NRMA Motoring Information Services
LIKES
High level of specification
Excellent initial drive –away pricing
The Kia Cerato is the new model in the Kia
range. It replaces the previous models;
Spectra, Shuma and Mentor. As well, it gives
Kia a fresh contemporary entrant into the
competitive small vehicle market segment that
just about every manufacturer has a model on
sale. The Cerato is available as a four door
sedan only at this point, a sporty hatch version
is expected out later in 2005.
VALUE FOR MONEY
PRICING
The Kia Cerato is priced at $18,990 drive
away for the manual version, and $20,990
drive away for the automatic version. There is
only one specification level and the only
option is metallic or mica paint for an
additional $150.
STANDARD FEATURES
The Cerato is sold with a comprehensive list
of standard features especially for a new
vehicle in this class. The Cerato comes
standard with air conditioning, electric
windows with automatic down function on the
driver’s window, electric external mirrors,
power steering, cruise control, remote central
locking and a CD player with six speakers.
DESIGN & FUNCTION
SPACE & PRACTICALITY
Cabin storage is good for this sized vehicle,
and whilst it hasn’t got the largest interior
space in its class front occupant space is
generous, likewise the rear will sit three across
with reasonable ease. Large drink bottles can
be stored in the door pockets. There is a
storage binnacle in the centre of the dash that
can take small items. Though, the bottom
surface needs to be non slip to stop items from
rolling around.
COMFORT
The front seats in the Cerato have a flat seat
base that lacks any real support . The backrests
are a little better offering slightly more support
to shoulders. The rear seats could also do with
some additional thigh support. The air –
conditioning vents provide plenty of volume
especially at low speeds
ERGONOMICS
When seated behind the wheel the Cerato feels
like most small cars in its class. It has a user
friendly layout with enough seat adjustment
for all shapes and sizes. Front vision is
especially good. There are a couple of
DISLIKES
No ABS brakes as an option
Carpet quality
Cabin ergonomics
annoying points though, the steering wheel
isn’t central to the driver’s seat and the
handbrake is in an awkward position in the
centre console. If the handbrake is on and
reverse is selected the gear lever can hit the
hand brake. Instruments are large and easy to
read; at first glance the engine temp gauge and
the fuel gauge look the same and can be
initially a little confusing.
SAFETY
The Cerato comes standard with driver’s and
passenger’s front air bags. The seat belts have
pre tensioners and load limiters fitted. Not
having ABS brakes available even as an option
is a disappointing omission.
BUILD QUALITY & FINISH
The build quality and finish is average for this
class of vehicle. The paint quality on major
panels on the test vehicle was consistent,
although door opening apertures were less so
with some openings a little patchy. The boot
area was trimmed and well finished, the
interior trim was let down slightly by the
interior carpet which appeared to be of fairly
low quality and may not wear well.
SECURITY
The Cerato has an engine immobiliser and
remote central locking as standard, and
receives a security rating of 52 out of 120
which is above average for its class.
ON THE ROAD
FUEL
The engine and transmission package has
been around in various guises for a while now
it’s not the latest technology by any stretch and
its fuel economy reflects this as well, on test
the Cerato returned 9.litres per 100kms on our
city cycle and 8.litres per 100kms highway.
PERFORMANCE
The 2 litre engine develops 101kW at 6,000
rpm and 182Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The
manual tested proved to be a willing
performer, with the transmissions ratios suited
to the engines torque characteristics. One
minor criticism of the transmission was the
narrow gear lever gate. Between first and third
gear, on up shifts into third gear it felt as
though first was being selected, not a desirable
trait!
RIDE
The ride quality was soft and forgiving thanks
to a front McPherson strut and rear multi-link
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Type...................Four cylinder inline DOHC
Capacity in litres...................................1.975
Induction..................................Fuel injection
Fuel recommendation ........................91 Ron
Claimed max. power.......101kW@6,000rpm
Claimed max. torque...... 182Nm@4,000rpm
TRANSMISSION
Type.................................Five speed manual
Driving wheels ......................................Front
WHEELS .............................Steel 6x15 inch
Tyres ............................. Hankook 195/65x15
Spare ................................................Full size
STEERING
Type.............Power assisted rack and pinion
Turns lock to lock.....................................2.8
Turning circle..........................................10.8
DIMENSIONS
Mass................................................. 1294kgs
Length..............................................4480mm
Width ..............................................1753mm
Height ..............................................1470mm
Ground clearance (measured) ............175mm
Seating capacity...........................................5
Fuel tank capacity............................ 55Litres
TOWING
Max. towed mass (trailer plus load).850 Max.
towball download (laden trailer)..................NS
NRMA THEFT RATING
Points on 0-120 scale (high score best).........52
WARRANTY............... 3 years/100,000kms
MANUFACTURED IN ......................Korea
TEST RESULTS
ACCELERATION
50 - 80 km/h (in third gear )................6.5 sec
60 -100 km/h (in third gear)................7.1 sec
0 -80 km/h...........................................6.9 sec
0 - 100 km/h......................................10.6 sec
0 - 400 metres ...................................17.5 sec
FUEL CONSUMPTION (litres/100 km)
Best recorded during testing........................8
Worst recorded during testing .....................9
Average on test.........................................8.5
BRAKING
Distance to stop from 80 km/h.......31 metres
NOISE
Interior at constant 80 km/h............ 68dB(A)
Test Vehicle supplied by
Ateco Automotive
Call Technical Advice on 1300 655 443 for additional information on this vehicle, and for other automotive advice.
or visit
www.mynrma.com.au
.

design that has plenty of travel built in. This
travel insulated the driver and passenger from
all but the harshest and largest potholes.
HANDLING & STEERING
Power steering is standard on the Cerato and is
hydraulically operated. At low speeds it’s light
enough to make even the tightest car park
spaces a breeze. The downside is, that at speed
there is no real feedback to the driver and
when hurried along the soft ride becomes
lurchy which makes the Cerato feel a little
unbalanced and flighty especially through tight
twisting sections of road.
BRAKING
Braking is the one area that Kia’s rivals
outpoint the Cerato. The lack of ABS meant
that stopping distances recorded were greater
than many similar sized vehicles tested
recently. The Cerato has four wheel disc
brakes, 275mm ventilated at the front and
258mm solid discs on the rear. The brakes
were light in operation but unfortunately gave
little indication of lockup during emergency
stops.
SMOOTHNESS & QUIETNESS
Kia claims to have made reductions to interior
noise levels compared to the previous models
and on test the new Cerato proved to be the
equal of many in its class. The Cerato is built
on a new platform which has given the
designers freedom to incorporate the latest
thinking in the reduction of noise levels. The
floor pan is curved, new plastic engine mounts
used, and the engine/transmission position in
the engine bay improved all in an effort to
reduce NVH levels.
SUMMARY:
There are plenty of vehicles to choose from in
this competitive market segment. Some
vehicles in this class have been on sale for a
long time. and are from established
manufacturers that build excellent value into
their cars. This new vehicle from Kia is also
excellent value. Its keen drive away pricing
will win plenty of fans but importantly the
Cerato adds a new fresh design to the mix. It is
a comfortable, easy to drive vehicle that
should be included to the shopping list of
buyers looking at cars in this category.