Cerato is their ‘C’ sector contender and is up against household names like Corolla and Focus, so it needs to be special. Kia has just launched the diesel version and I took it for a spin and was… impressed!
The Kia-developed 1.5 CRDi engine is refined, fairly quite and powerful. It has ‘shed-loads’ of torque (235Nm) with a respectable 75KW (100bhp) on tap, so you don’t feel shortchanged behind the wheel. The class-leading torque figure means that in day to day driving the car never feels stressed or under heavy strain. In comparison, the petrol 1.6 Cerato has a relatively miserly 143Nm. The suspension is modern and the Bridgestone shod alloys work well delivering a composed ride. Cerato is packed with kit but is also the only car in its class to provide a full size ‘alloy’ spare wheel as standard.
Diesels are about fuel economy and the Cerato is certainly frugal, returning an average 4.9 L/100Km or 57.6mpg. This is a big saving over the 1.6 petrol Cerato that can only manage 7L/100Km or 40mpg.
Cerato was designed with Europe in mind and despite this is bland to look at. Available in just one comprehensive specification, Cerato comes in four-door saloon or five-door hatchback, with the saloon looking best. Inside there is loads of plastic but plenty of space. The split rear seat can fold flat, while the front seats are height adjustable.
Like its sister company Hyundai, Kia fits aftermarket stereos as Korea is still in the stone age when it comes to RDS technology. While I’m sure the JVC unit has more processing power than a space shuttle it has the tiniest controls I have ever seen - just try finding the on/off button! This pet hate of mine is the only downside to the interior that otherwise is full of the usual bits and pieces, with standard air conditioning and a vast collection of airbags.
So will Kia shift many diesel Ceratos? Unfortunately in Ireland we are still screwed when it comes to diesel ownership (purchase and running costs), especially as fuel prices are unlike the rest of Europe where diesel is considerably cheaper than petrol.
Petrol Ceratos start at €19,495 so €20,500 clearly isn’t cheap but it is cheaper than all its diesel rivals by a long way. If you wanted to go from a 1.4 petrol 307 into a 1.4 diesel 307 you’d need an extra four grand.
Kia globally has sold over 5 million cars and has seen its sales increase in Europe by 62%. The Irish set up has grown by 34.5% this year alone. R and D happens in Germany while Slovenia is home to a huge manufacturing plant so there is clear commitment to building cars designed for Europe. Ireland currently has 31 dealers (that figure will increase to 34 by the end of the year) while next year Kia expects to sell 3,500 units (1,000 more than ‘05).
The oil burning Cerato is no oil painting but it’s a decent car. Try it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Michael Sheridan
