WE HAVE TO ADMIT TO not being fans of the new Kia logo when it was first revealed, but it’s growing on us. One of our questions was how it would look on vehicles, and now we know.
Kia’s Cerato upgrade is about to ride into town wearing the brand-new badge and carrying the crown as Kia Australia’s most successful model.
Kia’s smart and small Rio has been the brand’s best seller in Australia for two decades and has won the hearts of 153,411 buyers since entering the local market in 2000, through to the end of April 2021.
While Rio continues to earn its place in the Kia garage, there is a new kid in town with Cerato’s cumulative sales since its launch in 2003 reaching 153,918 by end of April, surpassing Rio’s historic total.
With the arrival of the new Cerato, that domination is expected to reach new heights.
The first model to arrive in Australia wearing Kia’s new logo, the new Cerato will also feature a range of innovative design elements highlighting a new-look front visage through styling changes to headlights, radiator grille, front bumper and fog lights.
The hatch will remain largely unchanged from the rear but the sedan gets a new look with updates to the tail lights, boot and rear bumper lines.
New safety technology includes Rear Seat Alert, LED Daytime Running Lights and Lane Following Assist across all models. Sport+ and GT models will benefit from the addition of Blind Collision Avoidance Assist and an electronic parking brake.
Convenience and comfort upgrades will include rear air vents for all models across the four-spec range and a slide sunroof on the top of the range GT models.
The proven Nu 2.0-litre 4-cylinder MPI with 112kW of power and 192Nm of torque will carry over in the S, Sport and Sport+ trims and the halo GT model will continue to be powered by the four-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo engine producing 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm of torque.
The new Cerato in S, Sport and Sport+ trims will start arriving in Kia dealerships this week with the GT joining the range in mid-June.
| Pricing: | ||
| 2.0L Auto | RRP | Drive away |
| S | $25,490 | $25,990 |
| S with Safety Pack | $26,490 | $27,490 |
| Sport | $27,590 | $27,990 |
| Sport with Safety Pack | $28,590 | $29,490 |
| Sport+ | $30,640 | $31,690 |
Safety pack:
- AEB Fusion II (Car/Ped/Cyc)
- Electronic Parking Brake
- 15-inch Rear Disc Brakes
- Smart Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Detection
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Electric Folding Mirror
- Leather Steering Knob and Steering Wheel (standard on Sport model)
Specification overview:
| Sport+ | GSL FWD 2.0 MPi 6AT |
In addition to Sport Blind Collision Avoidance Assist AEB (Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist) Smart Cruise Control Electronic Parking Brake 15-inch Rear Brake Disc Electrochromic Mirror |
Smart Key with Push Button Start Leather Appointed Seats Heated Front Seats Aeroblade Front Wipers Dual Zone Climate Control Auto Defog System |
| Sport | GSL FWD 2.0 MPi 6AT |
In addition to S 17-inch Alloy Wheels (New Design) Cloth Seats (Sport Pattern) Premium Steering Wheel Premium Shift Knob |
10.25-inch AVN Unit with SUNA & 10 years free MapCare Digital Radio (DAB) Illuminated Vanity Mirrors |
| S | GSL FWD 2.0 MPi 6AT |
MDPS Power Steering 16-inch Steel Wheels Front & Reverse Parking Sensors Rear View Camera with Dynamic Parking Guidelines Lane Keep Assist Lane Following Assist Driver Attention Alert AEB (Car/Pedestrian) Speed Limiter Rear Seat Alert |
LED Daytime Running Light Folding Key 6-Way Driver’s Seat including Height Adjust Cruise Control 4.2-inch Colour TFT LCD Cluster 8-inch AV Unit with Wired/Wireless Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay 6 Speaker Sound System Manual Air Conditioning Rear Air Vents |
* Full specification sheet for S, Sport and Sport+ will be available soon. GT specifications and pricing will be available closer to the June launch.