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.

DISLIKES
No ABS brakes as an option Carpet quality Cabin ergonomics annoying points though, the steering wheel isnt central to the drivers 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 drivers and passengers 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 a engine immobiliser and n remote central locking as standard, and receives a security rating of 52 out of 120 which is above average for its class.

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

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 drivers 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 hasnt 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

ON THE ROAD
FUEL The engine and transmission package has been around in various guises for a while now its 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.

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)

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

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 its 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 Kias 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.