Kia Cerato GT Urban 2022 Car Review

MODEL: Kia Cerato GT
PRICE RANGE: $42,990 + ORC
ENGINE: 1.6-litre turbo engine
POWER: 150kW/250Nm
GEARBOX: Seven-speed DSG
0-100KM/H: 7.7 seconds
ECONOMY: 6.8L/100km
BODY STYLE: Liftback
STATUS : Currently available

The new Kia Cerato sits comfortably in the top-three Kia models sold globally and is the leading non-SUV Kia model from a sales perspective. The model we reviewed was the absolute range topper, quite a shift from the base level Kia Sportage that we had recently savoured; by now we were becoming quite accustomed to the taste of South Korean flare.

Sleek silhouette

The exterior has been finessed to look the part of a sports car without the unnecessary bling that other sports models like the Civic Type-R exhibit. Enhancements include new LED headlights and taillights as well as daytime running lights. The front grille now boasts red accents, and the rear has been jazzed up with a sporty dual exhaust tip setup.

The latest Cerato models now receive Kia’s modern new logo, symbolising a new era for the brand. The modern interpretation of the badge sits above the redesigned, signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, which now extends across to the edge of each light.

The front is jam-packed with flowing lines, which are enhanced by way of the new slimmer LED headlights. There’s also a striking six-bar LED daytime running light array and a newly designed sporty lower intake.

The fully independent, sports-tuned suspension setup adds a dynamics stance, and it sits on 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. These wheels are thoughtfully garnished with a neatly integrated red centre cap that mimics something you might see on a racetrack.

Simple yet sporty interior

The interior has been upgraded with a focus on comfort, offering a refined and enjoyable space for the driver and passengers.

The Cerato GT includes dual-zone air conditioning, heated and ventilated leather sports bucket seats, and the driver is afforded the extra luxury of eight-way power adjustment with two-way lumbar support with memory function, all to help achieve the best possible driving position.

The cargo area boasts a very practical space with a capacity of 1,335-litres with the rear seats down, which is very useful when combined with the versatility of the liftback, which lets you move bulky items with ease. With the seats up there is still impressive space of 428-litres to play with.

While all Cerato models receive the 4.2" Colour TFT LCD Supervision Cluster driver information display, the GT model also features the modern 10.25" Colour LCD infotainment with Touchscreen functionality. This system is snappy and adds a much more modern and exclusive feeling to the interior.

Sweet safety suite

A comprehensive suite of safety features are standard across the range, which has aided in achieving a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

This range of active and passive safety features assist with accident avoidance and then, if required, protection in the event of an incident.

Amongst key features found on all models in the range are Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (with car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection), Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines, Parking Sensors and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go.

Perky performance

The Cerato GT is powered by an excitable 1.6-litre turbo engine, which develops 150kW and 250Nm of torque. The gearbox is a swift seven-speed DSG unit, which is a delight. The fuel consumption is 6.8L/100 km, and the CO2 output is quite low at just 176g/km.

This model delivers a cocooned feeling for both the driver and passengers. A sporty D-Shape performance steering wheel with paddle shifters, together with metallic pedals, further emphasises the performance characteristic, and these sporty features also help to set it apart from the more docile models in the line-up.

And it’s not all just cosmetics, with the GT model featuring a fully independent, sports-tuned suspension. Because of this, handling feels sharper and more accurate. For example, stopping is precise thanks to upgraded, large 305mm ventilated front discs and 284mm solid rear discs.

We found that KIA has struck a real balance between both performance handling and day to day usability, which is not an easy feat.

Verdict

The “Hot Hatch” seems to be becoming more popular these days with the Toyota GR Yaris recently winning the 2021 AA DRIVEN New Zealand Car of the Year. From our time with the Kia Cerato GT, we can see why hot hatches are on the rise.

With the added versatility from its lift back and big space, it feels like the more sensible choice for sure. Yes, we know it’s no Golf GTI but heck there is enough excitement beneath the bonnet to please many who aren’t so fickle and at its price point it’s well worth a look.

Pros

• Fun to drive
• Practical storage

Cons

• Road noise is not the quietest.

Safety systems

• Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) - Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) - Line/Road Edge 
• Lane Follow Assist System (LFAS) 
• Driver Attention Alert (DAA+) 
• Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) - Rear 
• Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• ABS Brakes with ESC, HAC & VSM
• Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) 
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
• Safe Exit Warning (SEW) 
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Dual Front & Side Airbags
• Dual Side-Curtain Airbags

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a new car:

• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews
• AA Running Cost Reports - aa.co.nz/runningcosts

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