Cerato GT is Kias sporty hatch. Updated in June 2021, the Cerato GT is one of those cars that does most things just right, very little wrong and is so easy to live with every day.
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At the heart of the GT is the 1.6L Turbo petrol engine and 7-speed DCT gearbox with enough power and torque driving the front wheels for some relatively zippy acceleration? Revised suspension tuned for Australian conditions provide surprisingly good handling, but with a firm ride. Kia also tunes their exhaust note for a raspy manufactured sound.
Priced from a bit under $36,000 plus the usual costs, the Cerato GT manages a little bit of personality and flair in an everyday urban run-around. It also comes with Kias outstanding 7 year warranty and roadside assistance.
This is a Motoring Minute
Im Rob Fraser
Some other KIA Cerato Reviews
- Kia Cerato GT Hatch 2021 Review
- Kia Cerato MY22 Model Upgrade Radio Review
- Kia’s Refreshed MY 2022 Cerato Review
- Kia Cerato MY 2022 model update
- Kia Cerato update sneak peak before launch
What is good? |
What is not so good? |
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Also Look At
Model |
KIA Cerato GT Hatch |
| Model Price | $35,790 MLP* |
| Engine | 1.6L 4 Cyl Turbo Petrol |
| Drivetrain | FWD 7 Speed DCT |
| Power | 150 kW @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 265 Nm @ 1500-4500 rpm |
| 0-100kmh / Top speed | Around 7 sec but TBC / TBC |
| Safety | 5 Star ANCAP (Tested June 2021) |
| CO2 Emissions | 158 g/km |
| Economy ADR/ Capacity | 6.8 L/100km / 50L / 8.5L/100k on test |
| Servicing | Capped Price for 12 months/10,000km |
| Warranty | 7yr/ Unlimited km with 7 Yr. roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).
Overall Rating |
86/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 9 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Ride and Handling | 8 |
| Practicality | 9 |
| Fit for Purpose | 9 |
| Design / Style | 8 |
| Technology / connectivity | 8 |
| Value for Money | 9 |
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More Kia Cerato GT Thoughts
Cerato has been Kia’s top selling model since it was introduced and the GT is the top model.
The update in June 2021 was more a mild upgrade, mostly focused on the new logo.
Having been through many corporate logo redesigns in a previous life (most with no discernible benefit except to the designers who charged a fortune), the latest Kia logo when looked side by side with the previous one is a stylish improvement.
Cerato GT Exterior.
First up it’s actually an appealing design. They have done well with the balance and proportions.
Words that come to mind are sporty, athletic yet svelte and balanced.
Front grill, bonnet and LED lights are all integrated in a sweeping flow.
Profile is highlighted by a deep upswept impression that gives a forward focussed look and almost coupe style to the hatch.
The GT rides on 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40Z R18 rubber and sports a GT body kit along with dual exhaust and high gloss black door mirrors.
New to this model are a high mounted rear LED stop light and LED front fog lamp with LED rear fog lamp on the sedan only. For the first time a tilt and slide sunroof is standard
Hatch lid opens high and allows easy access.
Cerato GT Interior.
Typically Kia, which means well laid out, functional, packed with stuff but a little let down by some hard plastic.
The GT is top of the pops so has all the goodies.
Leather seats are heated and ventilated, electronically adjustable with additional lumbar support for the driver. They are comfortable but you sit more on them rather than in them. You can also save the position for multiple drivers with a memory function.
The red stitching highlights and GT logo are a nice touch.
There is enough slide for my tall, large bear like frame to find a comfortable seating position.
In front of the driver is a heated, flat bottomed leather steering wheel that frames the driver instruments perfectly. Twin dial design with configurable MFD between allows easy and clear sight of information.
Centre console area is well laid out with large cup holders, reasonable size storage bin, but hard plastic top for the elbow.
Nice little spot for the key is clever.
A myriad of controls frame the transmission lever. This includes the drive mode select.
In front is a twin tray set up with easily accessible USB ports. Sometimes in some cars you need to have hands the size of a five year old to get the USB plugged in.
Large central screen offers touch use, clear and crisp resolution and intuitive functionality. Reversing camera is excellent.
Rear seats are comfortable for two people, but a little tight for knee room behind taller drivers. Head room is good.
Boot access, with the high lift hatch, is excellent and fold down rear seats means that the area is huge and practical.
Cerato GT Features
As you would expect the top of the line model is packed with many features.
It’s absolutely packed with features, especially the GT version. That’s probably enough explanation.
Rather than repeat a heap of text here its best if you go to the Kia website HERE and look for yourself.
Cerato GT Engine and drivetrain
As described above the Cerato GT has a 1.6L 4 Cylinder turbo petrol engine. It’s attached to a 7 Speed DCT and drives the front wheels.
It’s responsive from as low as 1,500 rpm and when sports mode is selected it is fun to drive and this means overall it’s a neat sporty package that is responsive and zippy rather than outright fast.
However the everyday driving is engaging with direct inputs being followed instantly. The handling has been tuned for Australian conditions and it shows, but the ride is a little firm. Always has been.
It’s not quite as economical as you might expect, especially if you’re driving for fun, but not too bad at 8.5L/100K on our test.
Cerato GT Safety
The Cerato maintains its family safety reputation with a comprehensive passive safety suite, including six airbags, strong body structure and safety-focussed design.
Active safety (threat awareness and avoidance) is a key to Kia’s passenger safety ethos with ABS and ESC standard along with Autonomous Emergency Braking programmed for vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist recognition.
GT features
- Lane Keep Assist, now with Lane Follow Assist added,
- Lane Departure Warning and Driver Attention Alert,
- Blind Spot Detection,
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA),
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist,
- Safe Exit Warning,
- Smart Cruise Control,
- Parking Distance Warning (front and rear sensors),
- High Beam Assist and
- Reversing camera.
Some thoughts
- The rear LKA and LFA can be a little intrusive for everyday driving
- Unfortunately the Adaptive Cruise control function can’t be switched off to allow normal cruise control.
Cerato GT – some little everyday things
Cerato GT is very easy to live with every day.
Driver ergonomics are well laid out.
Some areas where you rest your elbows are a bit hard plastic
It’s fun to drive, zippy rather than fast.
Heated seats are nice and toasty.
Wireless CarPlay connectivity would be appreciated as it’s on the “S” Model not on the top spec, something about proprietary navigation but annoying.
Sounds of Nature is actually really cool feature.
As is the rear seat sleep mode which limits the speaker level in the back to allow rear seat passengers a more restful environment.
Headlights are good, and high beam provides good penetration and spread. Auto dipping calibration is good
Windscreen washers give a good spread and are efficient.
A HUD would be handy.
Cerato GT Final thoughts
I actually really like the Cerato GT.
It looks stylish and sporty.
Inside it is comfortable
Is fun and engaging to drive.
It will fit four in comfort along with luggage.
And it is reasonably good value.