It’s taken a while, but Kia’s Cerato is finally a C-segment all-rounder. The Cerato saloon and Cerato Koup are supplemented by the arrival of a five-door hatchback that Kia hopes will take the fight to strong market contenders like Toyota’s Auris, Mazda3 and Volkswagen’s Golf.
“The latest Cerato hatch is designed to appeal especially to those consumers with young families who prefer a hatch for its style and enhanced practicality,” said David Sieff, National Marketing Manager, Kia Motors South Africa.
But the introduction of the hatchback isn’t just some revised rear-end styling exercise. In addition to the hatch design, the entire Cerato range benefits from new equipment and general improvements. Up front, a new grille has been employed as well as a new front air dam and fog lights. When viewed in profile, observers will note that the side mirrors now include LED indicators and that the hatch sports new 16-inch alloys. (16-inch alloys wheels are standard on 1,6 EX models while the 2,0 SX gets 17s). At the rear, there’s a new bumper and light clusters are also new.
Kia engineers have also worked extensively on improving NVH, with additional sound-deadening foam in the A, B and C-pillars – as well as in some of the side panels. The padding inside the facia is thicker, the rear parcel shelf has a extra insulation and the boot carpet is also a denser material.
The Cerato hatch makes use of the same petrol four-cylinder engines as its four-door siblings, a 1,6 and a 2,0-litre – both use four valves per cylinder and boast CVVT. The smaller unit produces 91 kW at 6 300 r/min and 156 N.m of torque at 4 200 r/min. The 2,0-litre powerplant puts out 114 kW at 6 200 r/min and 194 N.m of torque at 4 300 r/min. Both are available with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Inside, the Cerato hatch features a six-speaker radio/CD system with MP3 compatibility and iPod and USB connectivity, a multifunction steering wheel, 60/40 split rear seats and chrome-look trim. Safety features include ABS with EBD, as well as dual front, side and curtain airbags.
All models come standard with Kia’s 5-years/100 000 km warranty and 4-years/90 000 km service plans.
Prices (as of April 19 2011):
Cerato hatch 1,6 R185 995
Cerato hatch 1,6 AT R195 995
Cerato hatch 2,0 R205 995
Cerato hatch 2,0 AT R215 995
