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2004-2010 Kia Cerato review
Perhaps they are a little biased but they think the Cerato is a strikingly good looking car. From its crescent shaped roofline that gives Cerato its sleek lines and its occupants such space, to the 'white-pointer' style nose and stylish rear, the Cerato exudes an air of understated confidence.
But, as they say, style is nothing without substance. And substance is one thing Cerato has in abundance. From the moment you steer it out of the dealership you'll appreciate that its confident looks are matched with equally confident road manners.
A rigid chassis, MacPherson strut front suspension and dual link rear suspension combine to give it highly predictable handling and an extremely smooth ride. While a cleverly curved floor panel adds to this sense of smoothness by reducing noise and vibration.
Slide inside Cerato and you’ll notice two things immediately. The first, a serene and hushed atmosphere with the kind of ‘prestige’ feel you’d expect in a car costing many thousands of dollars more. The second, a level of space which belies the car’s compact external dimensions. Everyone travels well in Cerato. Aside from generous head, leg and knee room for up to five, there’s an adjustable headrest and a 3-point seatbelt for each as well. There are thoughtful centre armrests front and rear, both incorporating convenient storage compartments; and rear passengers have elegant net-style map pockets to secure reading materials on long journeys.
The driver enjoys the ease of having all critical controls in close reach, with the standard cruise control being literally a fingertip away on the back of the tilt-adjustable steering wheel. Air-conditioning keeps everyone comfortable and is whisper-quiet, so you’ll hear every note from the six speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3-compatible sound system.
The Kia Cerato offers plenty of power. At the same time, clever thinking makes it more efficient and therefore highly economical. The impressively smooth 2.0 litre, 105kW engine employs double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and 16-valves to enhance engine efficiency. CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) technology automatically adjusts the duration of valve openings to deliver the most appropriate mix of power and torque across different engine speeds and road situations. The result is greater flexibility, fewer gear changes and more immediate response to the accelerator at all times. From city traffic to Australia’s open roads, the five-speed manual transmission or the optional Tiptronic-style automatic ensures a smart transfer of power to the wheels; and the latest techniques in NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) minimisation ensure the Cerato is relaxing and refined on the road.
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