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Kia deal makes it cheaper to own affordable performance model
One Kia dealer is now making it more affordable to own the brand's cheapest performance model with a handful of free services.
Max Davies
About the Kia Cerato
Last updated Dec 18, 2024The Kia Certain hatch is expected to be replaced with an all-new generation in the first quarter of 2025. For now though, the current model (which has been around since 2018) continues on on run out.
A choice of two engines are available across the current Kia Cerato range. All Cerato variants except the flagship GT are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 112kW of power and 192Nm of torque and driving the front wheels through a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
The Kia Cerato GT gains a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 150kW of power and 265Nm of torque, also sent to the front wheels but through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Pros
- Refined ride, handling
- Seven-year warranty
- Class-leading boot space
Cons
- Dated interior
- Sensitive safety systems
- Price hikes
Kia Cerato Rating
Kia Cerato News
2025 Kia Cerato Reviews
2025 Kia Cerato Price
5d Hatchback
| Variant | Price From* | Price To* |
|---|---|---|
| S | $26,200 | $26,200 |
| S SAFETY PACK | $27,200 | $27,200 |
| SPORT | $28,200 | $28,200 |
| SPORT SAFETY PACK | $29,200 | $29,200 |
| SPORT+ | $31,200 | $31,200 |
| GT | $35,700 | $35,700 |
4d Sedan
| Variant | Price From* | Price To* |
|---|---|---|
| S | $26,200 | $26,200 |
| S SAFETY PACK | $27,200 | $27,200 |
| SPORT | $28,200 | $28,200 |
| SPORT SAFETY PACK | $29,200 | $29,200 |
| SPORT+ | $31,200 | $31,200 |
| GT | $35,700 | $35,700 |
*excl. on-roads
All Kia Cerato Pricing
New Kia Cerato deals
2024 Kia Cerato Dimensions
1445mm
1800mm
4510mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model.
See all 2024 Kia Cerato Dimensions2025 Kia Cerato Boot Space
The Kia Cerato sedan boasts up to 502L of storage space, while the hatch has a reduced capacity of 428L.
2025 Kia Cerato Gallery
CarExpert High Resolution Photos of the Kia Cerato
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2025 Kia Cerato Interior
The interior of the Cerato is understated but functional. Hard black plastics dominate the space, including the centre console, door panels, and dashboard. This is typical for an economy car, and Kia has carefully allocated its limited budget across the Cerato S.
The Safety Pack includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, both of which feel comfortable. High-traffic areas, such as the armrest, feature soft-touch plastics. Small aluminium-look plastic trims contrast the black interior, although it's clear they aren't authentic.
The cloth-trimmed seats lack a premium appearance but offer comfort with supportive side bolstering and well-designed cushioning. The contoured headrests add a touch of uniqueness and provide a gentler feel.
The uncluttered dash layout benefits storage space, providing two separate shelves under the climate dials to accommodate both driver and passenger devices. However, storage elsewhere is limited; front door bins are small and poorly arranged, and the armrest cubby and glovebox are tight. Dual centre cupholders fit 1L drink bottles, and a drop-down holder for sunglasses is positioned above the dash.
In the second row, storage remains limited. Rear door bins accommodate only small drink bottles, and there are no map pockets on the seat backs, though a centre armrest with two fixed cupholders is provided. Connectivity is well covered in the front row, and rear passengers have access to one USB-C connection point.
The Cerato performs adequately in terms of passenger space. Average-sized adults will find it comfortable, though taller individuals may find headroom limited. There is ample space for feet under the front seats. A light-coloured headliner and air vents help prevent a claustrophobic feel in the back.
The Cerato sedan offers a generous boot capacity of 502L, the largest in the small car segment, though the opening is somewhat narrow. The rear bench folds 60/40 to provide additional space when needed. However, the boot can only be opened using the key fob, a limitation that impacts practicality.
2025 Kia Cerato Infotainment
Behind the steering wheel is a small screen flanked by an analogue tachometer on the left and a traditional speedometer on the right. Despite the availability of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster in South Korea, the Cerato's setup feels dated. The small digital display can be customised to show vehicle settings, fuel economy, speed information, and safety system feedback. Navigation is straightforward, though the button controls feel somewhat tacky.
The infotainment system, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen, offers modern functionality with wireless smartphone connectivity. While many premium cars still require wired connections for smartphone mirroring, the Cerato's wireless capability is a welcome feature. However, Apple CarPlay was prone to dropouts, and the lack of a physical home button complicates exiting the mirroring screen. Additionally, there is a noticeable lag between inputs and responses on the screen, which stands out compared to the fast response times of modern devices.
The system includes two USB-A ports and a 12V outlet under the climate controls, allowing both front occupants to charge devices simultaneously. The climate control layout is familiar, with three rotary dials for mode, temperature, fan speed and four front air vents. This simple and effective setup is ideal for a rental-spec vehicle.
The 2025 Kia Cerato S is fitted with the following infotainment features:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
The Cerato Sport adds:
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- DAB digital radio
The flagship Cerato GT is equipped with:
- Wireless phone charging
- Eight-speaker JBL premium sound system
2025 Kia Cerato Fuel Economy
| Kia Cerato | Fuel Type | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| GT | Unleaded Petrol | 6.8 L/100km |
| S | Unleaded Petrol | 7.4 L/100km |
| S SAFETY PACK | Unleaded Petrol | 7.4 L/100km |
| SPORT | Unleaded Petrol | 7.4 L/100km |
| SPORT SAFETY PACK | Unleaded Petrol | 7.4 L/100km |
| SPORT+ | Unleaded Petrol | 7.4 L/100km |
Cost of ownership
What are the running and servicing costs of a Kia Cerato?
All Kia Cerato variants are covered by the brand’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.
The Kia Cerato S, Sport and Sport+ require services every 12 months or 15,000km, while the GT has a stricter schedule with 12-month, 10,000km intervals.
Kia offers seven years of capped-price servicing, which equates to $2970 for the Cerato S, Sport and Sport+, while Cerato GT owners pay $3281 across the same period.
Interval | S, Sport, Sport+ | GT 1.6-litre turbo |
|---|---|---|
1 year | $281 | $281 |
2 years | $475 | $461 |
3 years | $345 | $360 |
4 years | $614 | $504 |
5 years | $316 | $316 |
6 years | $603 | $703 |
7 years | $336 | $656 |
How does the 2025 Kia Cerato drive?
Our expert take on Kia Cerato drivability.
The 2025 Kia Cerato offers an enjoyable driving experience with a user-friendly design and a manageable learning curve. All controls are intuitive, and the car's compact size makes it easy to navigate city traffic and suburban streets. Parking is similarly effortless, aided by a reversing camera that simplifies the process further.
Although the Cerato S is not designed as a performance vehicle, it delivers a sporty feel on quieter roads, thanks to its smooth, naturally aspirated power delivery and precise steering. The 2.0-litre engine produces 112kW and 192Nm, providing sufficient power for urban driving. The engine performs best at a relaxed pace; under heavy acceleration, it tends to produce more noise than actual performance gains.
The steering is notably well-calibrated, avoiding the overly light and inconsistent feel found in some modern vehicles. The suspension setup is forgiving, balancing sportiness with comfort, even when navigating potholes and speed bumps.
However, there are some drawbacks. Certain safety systems included in the Safety Pack can be overly intrusive in their default settings, particularly blind-spot monitoring and forward collision-avoidance. The blind-spot monitoring system may trigger warnings for vehicles in adjacent lanes, while the forward collision-avoidance system can occasionally apply brakes unexpectedly when passing parked cars or navigating tight spaces. Some of these issues can be mitigated by adjusting the settings via the infotainment screen, though not all.
The rear cross-traffic alert system functions effectively, enhancing safety when reversing into busy streets. On the highway, the Cerato provides a comfortable ride, maintaining a cushioned feel at higher speeds, with a well-insulated cabin that keeps external noise at bay, making longer journeys more pleasant. However, when accelerating uphill with a load, the petrol engine can become noticeably noisy as it strains to maintain speed.
The Safety Pack also includes adaptive cruise control, which operates smoothly on extended journeys. Fuel efficiency during testing was difficult to assess accurately due to predominantly city driving conditions, but the observed consumption was 12L/100km, which is higher than expected for this type of vehicle.
2025 Kia Cerato Options
Options list for the Kia Cerato
You can find more details on all the options and inclusions across the Kia Cerato variants on the official website, and within the official Kia Cerato specifications page.
2025 Kia Cerato vs other Smalls to consider
The Kia Cerato is pitched as a strong value-for-money offering in the small car segment, combining sharp drive-away pricing with a relatively high level of standard specification as well as being dimensionally larger than most competitors.
It may be classed as 'small', but the Cerato offers a larger back seat and boot that most rivals regardless of whether you choose the sedan or hatchback.
