Value continues to be the flavour of the day.
Korean marque Kia, despite their improved brand perception and product quality, continue to trumpet the value card, as evidenced by their proposition of the 2019 Cerato hatch. Retail prices start from $20,990 but for a limited time following its introduction, it can be had at drive-away prices from as low as $19,990.
The hatch will be offered in similar flavours as the Cerato saloon, namely in S, Sport, and Sport+ guises from launch, with a turbocharged GT variant coming in in January. All cars utilise a 112kW/192Nm 2.0-litre four-pot petrol engine, with the base S available with a 6-speed manual as standard, with a 6-speed automatic optional there, but standard on the Sport and Sport+ (for reference, the S 6AT is $23,790 or $21,990 drive-away with present promotions).
For your $20k you get a Cerato S 5-door, which comes with acceptable levels of kit like 16-inch steelies, an 8-inch infotainment screen (with Android & Apple smartphone mirroring too), and cruise control. Safety’s pretty well catered for too, even in the base model, with AEB, lane-keep assist, and a backup camera (with dynamic guidelines).
Step up to a $24,190 Cerato Sport 5-door (retail $25,790 before ORCs) and you get a whole bunch of niceties thrown on. You get 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation replete with live traffic updates by SUNA, ‘Premium’ fake leather on the steering wheel and gear shifter, and sports seats in the front.
For $1000 extra, the Cerato S & Sport can be fitted with ‘Safety Pack 1.’ In doing so, pedestrian & cyclist detection is added to the AEB system, and blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatically-folding exterior mirrors join the fray too. S models get a leather steering wheel, while automatic variants get smart cruise control for the money.
Step up to a range-topping Cerato Sport+ 5-door ($29,690 drive-away promotional price, or $27,840 + ORCs otherwise) and you get all the bells and whistles. You get AEB ‘Fusion II’ which throws in pedestrian & cyclist detection, smart cruise control, keyless entry & go, leather-accented seats, LED daytime running lights, climate control, and rear air-vents. And for $500, you can add ‘Safety Pack 2’ that throws in blind-spot monitoring & rear cross-traffic alert, completing the safety suite offering (to us, at least).
| Variant | Transmission | Promotional Price | Non-Promotional Price |
| Cerato S | 6MT | $19,990 drive-away | $20,990 + ORCs |
| Cerato S | 6AT | $21,490 drive-away | $23,790 + ORCs |
| Cerato Sport | 6AT | $23,690 drive-away | $25,790 + ORCs |
| Cerato Sport+ | 6AT | $26,190 drive-away | $28,340 + ORCs |
In January, the Cerato lineup will be completed with a turbocharged GT variant, offering fruitier performance for those inclined towards that sort of thing, available as both a saloon & a hatch. Under the bonnet will live a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing a healthy 150kW and 265Nm, with power going to the front wheels through an unspecified automatic gearbox (a 7-speed dual-clutch is likely). More on those details closer to launch.
But for the best deals on a new Kia, check out our Showroom.
