Compact, sporty coupes – that are affordable - are thin on the ground. But that's all set to change. In the coming days Kia is set to roll it's impressive Cerato Koup to dealerships around Australia. And if the response we got during a brief test drive around Sydney are anything to go by, Cerato Koup could pull off a coup of its own.

Right now Kia's first ever coupe is almost in a class of it's own with no rivals to speak of – and with the entry-level five speed manual variant hitting showrooms at just $23,690 plus on roads, the Koup seems certain to find a healthy niche with young, we-want-style buyers. Those who prefer an auto changer need to fork out a further $2000 for the privilege. Designed in California by Kia America, Cerato Koup runs similar mechanicals to the Cerato sedan.

Apart from sharing the same bonnet, every panel on the Cerato Koup is different to the sedan. Plus, Koup gets some goodies not available on the Cerato four door. These include frameless doors usually found on more up-market marques, all-new unique 17inch alloy wheels, fitted with low-profile tyres, dual sports exhaust, vertical style fog lamps.

However, what that car had a turbo-charged engine, the production car has stuck with the 2.0 litre four cylinder Theta VVT power plant from Cerato sedan. This engine produces 115 kW at 6200 rpm and 194 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm. The all-aluminium engine features four valves per cylinder It reaches highway speed in 9.3 seconds. Top speed is 190 km/h. Two gearboxes are available, a five speed manual and an optional four speed auto.

The Koup comes with the usual suspects in regards to active and passive safety: Electronic Stability Program, rear park assist, ABS brakes, with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Six airbags are standard including a full-length side curtain airbag, linked to roll-over sensors and active head restraints standard on front seats.

Much of the equipment you would expect on a more expensive model has filtered down to the Koup: keyless remote entry, MP3 compatible CD player, auxiliary inlet with iPod compatibility, repeater lamps on door mirrors, speed-sensing auto door locks, remote audio controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, fog lamps, climate control air conditioning, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter knob, six function trip computer and exterior temperature control. Korean-built cars have come a long way in recent years and the Cerato Koup is no exception. The quality of plastics, seat comfort, trim quality have all lifted considerably as has build quality.

If Koup had a price tag in the early 30k area you say it looked good. At $23,690 it looks even better and we'd go so far to say it even has a fair bit of `wow' factor when it comes to street cared. As Kia's first ever two door coupe, they have hit the styling nail on the head first up. It stands out from the crowd, which is something many buyers are looking for in a car. The design is beautifully balanced. Hop inside and you are met with supporting sports seats and a functional work area for the driver. This puts you at ease straight away, as everything is where it should be and in easy reach. My left hand fell naturally onto the leather bound gear shifter. Koup has one thing in common with many coupes – the seat belt is a stretch over your right shoulder thanks to the door width.