Safety is good for a car this price and has features that make it an enticing package.

Specs

2.0 litre manual – $18,990

Four speed auto – $20,990

Metallic paint – $150

Average economy – 9 litres/100km for manual; 9.3 litres/100km for auto

Kia’s much Kia’s much improved improved Cerato Cerato

Ken Llewellyn

I WAS very pleasantly surprised with the much-improved Kia Cerato. It is a very stylish and practical four-door sedan. Previous models had questionable build quality and some of the most annoying controls on a sound system that I have encountered.

The Cerato has a very European look and a very pleasing interior. It replaces the Kia Spectra, Mentor and Shuma. Kia’s rise in the Australian market has been remarkable. From less than 5000 vehicles on the road in 1997, Kia has sold more than 25,000 units in the past 12 months.

Engine/Transmission
The Cerato is powered by a twolitre twin overhead cam engine that produces 101kW. That gives enough power to accelerate the 1300kg car to 100 km/h in around 10.5 seconds.

However, it is no Alfa and the engine becomes rather coarse as it spins to the red line. But during the seven-day test, including a 100km drive on the highway, the mid-range family sedan proved to be a quiet and pleasant car.

The car tested was equipped with the fi ve speed manual. Auto is available with a sophisticated, electronically controlled four-speed transmission for an extra $2000.

Safety/Brakes
Safety is good for a car of this price. Twin air bags and bumpers that can that can absorb an 8km/h impact without damage are standard fare these days.

And combined with a passenger safety cell, surrounded by crumple zones, and structural cross members to absorb impact, it all helps to make the Cerato a more enticing package. Four wheel disc brakes provided adequate stopping power, but I would have preferred them to be a little less sensitive during braking.

The suspension is tuned for a balance between comfort and handling and is OK by me for everyday motoring. It has been, in my opinion, unfairly criticised, by some motoring writers.

Comfort
The Cerato is very well equipped. Cruise control, air-conditioning, electric windows, power steering, AM/FM radio with single CD audio system and six speakers, front and rear fog lights, engine immobilisers and front seat belts with pretensioners are standard.

A large central speedo with very easy-to-read fi gures is combined with rev counter and fuel/temp gauges. The boot is a reasonable size and would take my golf clubs and buggy without problems.

Economy
Expect economy to be in the region of 9 litres/100km. Auto will increase to about 9.3 litres/100km. This gives a reasonable range of more than 500km with the 55 litre tank.

Negatives
Not many. As mentioned, the brakes are too sensitive and the engine maintains revs during changes. Not a critical point, just a minor criticism.

Summary
The Cerato is a stylish, practical well-built car that is sure to win fans. At the price, it is sure to give concerns to Hyundai with its Elantra, Nissan’s Pulsar and Mitsubishi Lancer. Really worth a look if you’re in the market for a sensible family sedan at a sensible price.