2010 Kia Cerato (US Market Forte )Review

Recently I was invited to the launch of the "Kia Cerato replacement", which turned out to be the new Kia Cerato. Quite why the name 'Cerato' was kept secret is something of a mystery - maybe a shipment of alternate name badges didn't make it on time.

The car is also known as the Forte in other markets.

Anyway the new Kia Cerato is a big break from the old. For a start it looks good. Very good in fact, with a very sporty profile and front wings that make it look almost as if the car had been treated to a wide body kit.

In fact, the front track has been increased, by 62mm and the rear by 79mm for better stability. Overall the car is 30mm longer, 40mm wider and 10mm lower than the previous car. The wheelbase has also been extended by 70mm, pushing the wheels further to the ends of the car.

You get two models in the Cerato range, and disappointingly neither are available with a manual gearbox unless you order one specially.

Kia is continuing its philosophy of loading its cars with as much spec as possible. That's why even the entry level NZ$28,990, 116kW (155hp) 2.0-litre LX gets no fewer than six airbags, iPod integration along with a auxiliary pot for a non iPod device, and even a USB connection so you can load songs onto a memory stick and play them through the stereo. You also get power door mirrors, windows and manual air con.

And don't forget the ABS, ESP, Brake Assist, and traction control system (although the last one is a bit moot given the performance from the engine).

Slip up to the next spec level and in the NZ$33,990 SX you gain leather upholstery, bits of chrome on the outside, and climate control air con, but you still get the 2.0 litre engine with four speed auto.

On the road the Cerato gets along all right, but you wouldn't put it in the same class as something like the Mazda3 sedan or even the Hyundai i30. These other cars flow from corner to corner, but you have the feeling that the Cerato would rather prefer a nice straight road - and some hot mix tar seal, because the NVH on our coarse chip roads is pretty intrusive.

The performance is also pretty middle of the range, and could certainly be improved by the addition of another ratio in the four speed auto, or even a five speed auto. And before you ask, although there are versions of the Cerato overseas that use a diesel engine, they are only available in manual gearbox form, and therefore would be as popular over here as the Toyota Corolla diesel manual - that is, not very much at all.

But to criticise the Cerato for its handling abilities is a bit like saying there's no luggage space in a Lotus Elise.

For the likely buying demographic, who require merely a vehicle to get them to and from the supermarket, with the odd excursion away from the retirement home the Cerato, with its super low pricing and good spec level does actually make a good case for itself.