Kia Cerato Review
Published: 1st March 2005
Kia Cerato
Comfort and Refinement
The Kia Cerato 2.0 SE sets new standards with high levels of standard equipment in a car that costs £11,995. Leather upholstery, heated front seats and full climate controlled air conditioning are all standard on the SE model.
The cabin is spacious and head and leg room is superb in both the front and rear. The front seats were supportive and were well padded with good under thigh support but we found it difficult to get truly comfortable. The drivers seat is adjustable for reach and height and the leather covered steering wheel features height and tilt adjustment.
The level of refinement is high and includes a lockable glove box with damper and illumination, cabin air filter, front & rear electric windows, body coloured electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, remote central door locking with perimeter alarm, power steering, sunvisors with covered vanity mirrors and sliding sunvisors.
How It Looks - Exterior
The 5-door hatchback and 4-door saloon are identical from the bonnet back to the B pillar and share the same wheelbase (2610mm). The rear overhang (825mm) and overall length (4340mm) of the 5-door hatchback are both 140mm shorter than the saloon.
Kia claim that the Cerato is styled to attract modern, image conscious buyers but we would doubt that this will be the case in the UK. The exterior is attractive but not dynamic and reminded us of the previous Honda Accord / Civic model range.
16" alloy wheels with 205/50 R16 tyres are standard on the 2.0 SE model and all Cerato's are fitted with bridgestone tyres.
