Rear View Mirror: CERT FOR SUCCESS

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Aug 28, 2005 | by Brian Twomey

IT WAS 35 years ago, when British Leyland was on strike and most European manufacturers called headrests a luxury item the Japanese came along with well built, well equipped cars that made the average European car look like an Ox-cart.

Now Toyota are the world's second largest car manufacturer after capitalising on the complacency of the European and American car companies. Today it is the Koreans' turn.

The difference is that whereas the pioneering cars the Japanese sent over weren't particularly good; just better than the domestic competition, the Korean cars that are now appearing on Irish roads have to compete with seriously talented Japanese and European opposition.

The Kia Cerato is a small family car with the humble aspirations that go with the tag. It is entering a market that contains the Mazda3, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf and Opel Astra.

These are talented, capable cars so what makes Kia, a globally large company but in its infancy on the Irish market, think the Cerato is capable of coaxing conservative Irish buyers into something of an unknown quantity?

Kia established themselves by selling good value cars. The Kia Rio wasn't sophisticated but it was a barrel-load of car for the money. While the Cerato is a conscious attempt to sell on ability rather then cheapness it is still good value.

The 1.5CRDI LX hatchback test car is e21,500 (ex works) and has six airbags, a CD player, power windows all round, four disc brakes, alloy wheels, fog-lights and air conditioning as standard.

From Kia's perspective there are very few contenders that can compete on value for money grounds with the Cerato.

One could be forgiven for thinking that the Cerato would be something of a half-baked effort. Where it counts it doesn't seem so.

The build quality is excellent. The doors slam shut with a good, reassuring clunk, the paintwork is smooth and even and there is nothing to suggest that the Cerato would be anything less then 100 per cent reliable in service.

It is not the most distinctive looking car in the world, it is neat looking rather then head-turning. Inside the only real complaint is the heavy use of grey trim. It is still well built and quite well laid out.

The driving position is good, the dials are clear and the controls are easy to operate though the fascia of the JVC stereo takes getting used to and the stalks for the lights and wiper controls are mounted on the opposite sides than usual.

There is plenty of space inside for four adults and the boot is usefully sized rather then huge.

The 101bhp, 1493cc turbo-diesel engine is surprising. It is easily a match in terms of performance and refinement for other engines in its class.

It is slightly smaller than the circa 1600cc class average and the Cerato is fairly heavy at 1446kgs (3188lbs). Despite this the 0- 100km/h time of 12.5 seconds is class competitive.

On the road it feels faster with strong mid-range acceleration and there is never a feeling that the Cerato is slow. The car's eagerness is helped by the well judged gearing, strong 235Nm torque figure and the rev-happy nature of the engine.

It is vocal when pressed, it builds quickly and it is vibration free when extended.

The gearchange is fine, precise and slick though the throw is rather long. The brakes are strong. Kia seems to have chosen to play it safe with the handling.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that engineers have rolled up their sleeves to make the Cerato a safe and stable car to drive.

Hard cornering reveals good body control and strong grip from the Bridgestone tyres.

The steering is a touch light and it detracts from the experience but it actually handles rather well, no doubt as a result of the influence of Kia's German design centre.

Multilink suspension endows the Cerato with an excellent ride quality and the refinement is excellent with a well controlled ride and no excessive noise at 120km/h.

What it all comes down to is whether or not the Irish public reckon all this is enough to lure them from more established manufacturers. Despite the booming economy the Irish traditionally like a bargain and the Cerato is good value.