THE SMALL SEDAN segment of the automotive market is traditionally the most competitive, and any manufacturer hoping to gain even a tenuous foothold in this category had better have a really good product. Since coming under the control of Hyundai, Kia has been on the rise and the Cerato is the latest car in the Kia stable to get an update. Now does the Cerato have what it takes to challenge the big boys from Japan?

The highlight of the new Cerato is its powerplant. The new engine is derived from the same aluminium engine block that is found in the 1.6-litre Hyundai Avante, and develops a highly respectable 121bhp. This actually makes the Cerato one of the most powerful normally aspirated 1.6-litre engined cars in mainstream production. Not too bad for a car is still classed as a 'budget buy'.

Cosmetic updates on the outside include the front radiator grille and new trunk lid edge, while the interior has a new center fascia.


Our test car was the dealer specced premium edition model, which comes with front bucket seats that have alcantara leather backs. It also features a sunroof, digital climate control, automatic light sensors, keyless entry, larger wheels and costs $6,500 more over the standard version. The premium edition is available only in automatic guise. A basic five speed manual version of the car is also available.

DRIVING IT
The Cerato uses a four speed gearbox with a sequential manual mode that is selected by pushing the gear lever to the left. This appears to be an updated version of the same basic gearbox that is found in the Magentis and Carens. The Kia transmission also scores extra points for having a digital display showing what gear you?re in when used in sequential mode. When left to its own devices in D, the gearbox shifts well but will need a hard prod on the throttle to get it to kickdown a gear.

The Cerato pulls away from standing starts with amazing smoothness. The engine will rev smoothly all the way to its 6,500 rpm redline and power delivery is very linear, with no harsh peak or dull flat spots across the rev range.

There will always be people who think that their nice, comfortable sedans could do with some Fast & Furious bolt-on bits, and a fair number of the older Ceratos have been subject to such over-the-top treatment. But really, this is not a highly tuned 'sports sedan', not even by a long stretch.

It is still a very well balanced car though, with feedback coming through the steering wheel and seats being just involving enough to keep you informed about what the four wheels are doing at all times, but not enough to make it tiring over longer distances.

Its comfort biased suspension is admirably well damped. Body roll is apparent but well contained and progressive, so it leans into the corner gradually instead of immediately dumping over to one side.

The car's longish gearing lends itself well to highway cruising, but acceleration from a standing start takes a slight hit as a result. Still, there is plenty of midrange grunt for smooth overtaking maneuvers.

INSIDE IT

Bucket seats are not exactly what you would expect to find fitted into a family sedan, but here they do give the driver an extra measure of support. The front seat wing bolsters are a tad too wide though, making it difficult for drivers with larger hands to grab the handbrake lever.

The interior continues Kia's trend of being simple but extremely well put together. Digital climate control at this price is a truly surprising and welcomed addition. Storage boxes are found throughout the cabin and the rear seats can be folded down to increase load carrying capacity. But the plastic chrome bits peppering the interior as well as on the chrome front radiator grille look tacky and might just be a little bit out of step with current automotive design trends.

DOLLARS AND SENSE

Even though the facelifted Cerato is available in both sedan and hatchback form, local dealer Cycle & Carriage Kia have opted not to import the hatchback just yet, citing the local popularity of the sedan over the hatchback as the main reason. Shoppers looking for the hatchback should make their preference known though, as C&C are considering launching the hatchback here at a later date, depending on customer feedback.

In basic form, the Cerato is a well built and affordable family car. In Premium Edition trim, it sports more useful equipment than you would usually expect in this price bracket. Unlike the usual practice of gluing on extra side skirts and spoilers which might make the car look 'fiercer' but do zilch for driver enjoyment and comfort, a sunroof, digital climate control, dual airbags, automatic headlights, keyless entry and bucket seats add a good measure of tangible benefits. But is it worth the extra $6,500? Only the buyer can decide.

CONCLUSION

With fierce competition from highly established Japanese small sedans, Kia has long had a tough job of establishing itself as a big name contender in this segment. But now with build quality seemingly getting better by the month and any long term reliability issues a thing of the past, the Cerato is looking to be a smarter buy than ever.

Interior is neatly laid-out and well-built. Climate control is a plus
121bhp four-cylinder engine is a very willing performer
Tidy styling is a big improvement over the old car's

Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 Sports (A) $53,988 with COE

A little long in the tooth now but more affordable than ever. The new version is expected to be released here later this year.

Hyundai Avante 1.6 sunroof (A) $56,699 with COE

Shares the same DNA as the Cerato, but the over enthusiastic electric power steering assistance and soft ride quality makes it a strangely detached drive. Equipment levels are very high though.

ENGINE TYPE 1591cc inline 4-cylinder
MAX POWER 121bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 153Nm at 4200rpm
GEARBOX 4-speed automatic
TOP SPEED 181km/h
0-100 KM/H 12.1 seconds
PRICE $55,999 with COE
WARRANTY 3 years / 75,000km
CALL Cycle & Carriage Kia
TEL 6427-8888

PLUSES smooth revving engine, well built and appointed cabin, great bucket seats
MINUSES Gaudy interior chrome trim, slightly rattly engine note

VERDICT

A clear sign that quality can be affordable . The Cerato is a great all-purpose sedan and feels even better built than some of its more costly competitors