Kia Cerato GT review finds athletic performance for reasonable price

Kia’s compact Cerato GT hatch is a ‘warm’ hatch perfect for the athletic family.

When chasing value, there is one compact hatch standout.

The Kia Cerato Sport is deserving of the bang for buck mantle when weighing up features, style, performance and warranty for a sub-$30k drive-away price.

While there are less expensive Ceratos around, the Sport offers an extra elements of value when the additional kit is taken into consideration. Although one chink in the armour is its athleticism. It’s sporty in name only.

For those who want some extra sizzle, the Cerato also comes in the meaner GT variant.

The Kia Cerato GT hatch.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

KEL: Driving the sedan version last year, this hatch is far more my style.

GRANT: The notchback is pigeonholed to the cardigan wearers and those who love a box of tissues on the parcel shelf.

KEL: There is nothing boring about the performance, I liked the exhaust sound as soon as you hit the start button.

GRANT: Firm suspension settings and the heavier steering feel ensure you know it’s a sporty model. It has brilliant composure and strong all-round performance without insane acceleration. It’s fun for the fiscally responsible.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE?

KEL: Nice looks outside translate inside. Black leather seats with contrasting red piping, then the flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy pedals that emphasise the athleticism.

GRANT: The features list is solid. Highlights are a slick 10.25-inch touchscreen, while the eight-speaker stereo delivers quality sound also with smartphone mirroring apps, sunroof and wireless phone charging.

KEL: Having dials and buttons to control the aircon and stereo made it fast and easy to operate. After driving the EV6 and Sportage recently, I liked this now old-school system.

GRANT: You’re so retro. But yes, the latest Kias share the same soft touch buttons for aircon and infotainment. You toggle between the two depending on what you are chasing … it adds a touch for the sake of modern minimisation.

The compact Kia Cerato GT has boot space of more than 500 litres.

WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?

KEL: That ride can be firm, you feel the bumps and the road noise can be intrusive in coarse roads.

GRANT: Compared to a standard Cerato it runs pretty low-profile rubber which can be about $350 a corner to replace.

KEL: On occasions the gear shifts seemed strange and when I first came up our steep driveway I felt like it took some time to respond and then accelerated with a rush.

GRANT: That’s the dual clutch auto. It can be slow to respond at low speeds, yet it’s pure fun when the going gets twisty and you can use the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The GT sits atop of the Kia Cerato range with a sporting focus.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: The previous time we drove a GT last year I wasn’t convinced I’d spend the extra money over the Sport. Now I’d definitely be tempted, the hatch styling combined with the sporty extras inside and out.

GRANT: Hot hatches are fun but typically come with higher prices. This Cerato is a “warm hatch” and would absolutely be on my list of options if I were chasing a compact car. Sticky performance in the bends and value-packed inclusions stack up in my book.

The Kia Cerato GT starts from $37,990 drive-away.

KIA CERATO GT

PRICE $37,990 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICING 7-yr/u’ltd km warranty; $3234 for 7 services

ENGINE 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 150kW/ 265Nm, FWD

SAFETY 6 airbags, AEB, active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts

THIRST 6.9L/100km

SPARE Space saver

BOOT 502L