Kia Cerato Review (2004 to 2007)

Quick Summary

It would be disingenuous to suggest that the Cerato was in any way groundbreaking, exciting or even competitive with the best of the mainstream European cars in terms of engineering, but it does come a lot closer than most would give it credit for. Well-equipped, reliable and with a decent dealer network to back it up, a used Cerato may be the very epitome of 'sensible shoes' motoring but for those who don't feel the need to prove themselves through their choice of car, it's a very shrewd choice.

Overall:

Models Covered:(4dr saloon and 5 dr hatchback 1.6, 2.0 litre petrol, 1.5CRDi diesel [GS, LX, SE])

A GOOD KOREA MOVE

Wind the clock back ten years and you would only ever buy a Korean car on the basis of price. These days things have moved on considerably and although manufacturers like Kia can still promise pricing that reads like a misprint, the hardware has narrowed the gap massively to the 'mainstream' European brands. Take the Cerato for instance. Designed to offer a Focus-sized car for Fiesta money, this is a vehicle that was great value when new but never really caught the public's imagination in quite the way Kia expected. Bad news for Kia, great news if you're a used car buyer with a keen nose for a bargain.
Used Kia Cerato for sale

History of the Cerato

Rack your brains for a moment and attempt to picture a Kia Mentor. Tricky isn't it? Dredging up a mental image of a Kia Shuma isn't a whole lot easier. The Korean company may have made great strides in recent years but until they produced cars that European customers could easily get a handle on, they were always destined to struggle in these markets. The Kia Cerato did just that, while still representing a Ford Focus sized car for not much more than Fiesta money.The five-door Cerato made its debut at the 74th Geneva International Motor Show and propelled Kia into a far tougher arena than the Shuma and Mentor ever deigned to enter. What's more, it's well-equipped, Kia offering a choice of two petrol and two common-rail diesel engines. Designed to fit in with Kia's brand values of being 'young, sporty and friendly', the car was predicted to register 45,000 sales per annum across Europe within two years of launch, a prediction that proved slightly optimistic. The Cerato got the chop early in 2007 upon the arrival of its cee'd replacement.
Used Kia Cerato for sale

Kia Cerato Road Test

The quickest Cerato – on paper at least – is the 2.0-litre petrol model. This unit saw continuously variable valve timing fitted for the first time to a Kia and it can muster a full 142bhp. With this sort of power on tap, the emissions figures of 180g/km for the manual and 195g/km for the automatic version can perhaps be excused but there will be many other cars that will probably work out more cost-effective over a three-year period.The styling is tidy without being conspicuously sassy and was even engineered to handle competently. Its fully independent suspension system is a nicety denied the MkV Vauxhall Astra and the 2006 Honda Civic and both the front and rear suspension units are fitted with nitrogen filled Sachs gas shock absorbers. The power-assisted steering feels fairly direct at just 2.8 turns lock to lock and while the standard 60-series tyres take some of the edge off the sharpness of turn-in, Kia offer 16-inch alloys fitted with lower profile tyres if you hanker after a more entertaining steer.Safety is well taken care of. The all-disc braking system is bolstered by the addition of four-channel anti-lock brakes as standard. This system also incorporates the added safety net of Brake Assist which helps drivers brake harder and faster in the event of an emergency. If you need to accelerate out of danger rapidly, a traction control system is also offered on some models. Multi stage airbags are installed as standard up front and side airbags for the front seats and full length curtain bags were also available as an option. The driver's seats could also be ordered with an active headrest that protects from whiplash injuries.
Used Kia Cerato for sale

Buying a Kia Cerato

Make sure the car is in perfect condition. Kia offered an extensive warranty package with this car from new and most models should have had a pretty easy time of it in their early years. Having said that, check for those parking knocks and scrapes that are easy to pick up in multi-storey car parks. The ventilation systems aren't too great, so make sure that it's working to its full capacity else demisting will be a chore in the morning. Otherwise insist on a full service record and contact a few franchised dealers to try to find the best bargain available.
Used Kia Cerato for sale

Kia Cerato Typical Pricing

Prices start at around £5,200 for a 2004 54-plate 1.6LX hatch with around 12,000 miles on the clock. Upgrade to an equivalent GS and you'll need to find another £800. The four-door LX models actually fetch a little more than the hatches. The we'll equipped 2.0-litre SE saloon starts at around £7,400 for a 2004 car with around 10,000 miles on the clock, although prices can fluctuate depending on how the car was sourced from new. Shop carefully here and use every bargaining tool at your disposal. Insurance for the Cerato reflects the fact that it tends to be bought by more mature owners, the groupings ranging from 7 to 9.
Used Kia Cerato for sale

Kia Cerato Parts

(approx based on a 2005 Cerato 1.6LX) The Cerato offers some very cost-effective parts prices in keeping with its budget nature. Some manufacturers offer a cheap upfront price and then claw a whole lot back with exorbitantly priced spares but Kia thankfully refrain. A new clutch assembly retails at around £180, while front brake pads are around £40, with rear brake shoes only a few pence more. A new radiator is around £95 and an alternator an eminently reasonable £130.
Used Kia Cerato for sale