When Kia launched the latest version of its Cerato in January 2009 only a four-door sedan was offered. Buyers wanting a five-door hatchback were left out in the cold until October 2010 when the five-door finally made it downunder. Australian buyers are unusual in preferring hatches to sedans, hence the delay.

Now the five-door is here and we have just spent a solid week behind the wheel of one.

Styling of the new Cerato hatch is interesting in that it has a tall body that could be described as semi SUV in its appearance. The shape is sleek in a way that’s typical of the modern Kia range being produced by a German stylist. It works well and received several favourable reports from bystanders.

An advantage of an SUV shape is that interior space is good. There’s ample headroom front and rear. Rear legroom for adults is generally good without having to come to a compromise with those travelling up front. This is a rarity in small hatches in that it’s suited to families in which the kids have reached the hulking teens.

Luggage volume is 385 litres with a full-size spare tyre underneath. The rear seats fold down neatly to increase space when required.

Kia Cerato hatch is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Power and torque are 115 kW and 194 Nm respectively, these are good figure and the performance it provides will satisfy the needs of the majority of owners. Our test Cerato had a sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission that works quickly and is generally in the right gear for the driver’s needs.

The South Korean marque has given us high-tech powertrains and the new Kia Cerato hatch is the only car in this class to provide six speeds with both its manual and automatic transmissions.

Most owners will be able to keep the manual under eight litres per hundred kilometres on open road driving and figures of nine to ten litres per hundred will be the common in the city and suburbs. As the six-speed auto is a highly efficient unit the savings in fuel by buying a manual gearbox are only going to be in the region of five per cent.

The lower cost Cerato Si has six airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, and electronic stability control with traction control.

On the entertainment side it has an MP3-compatible audio setup that’s operated by steering wheel controls. USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity let you listen to your own music as well as staying in touch by way of your mobile phone.

Staying under the speed limit can be accomplished by using the standard cruise control in the Kia Cerato Si, but don’t get yourself into danger by using it inappropriately.

The topline Cerato SLi adds 17-inch alloy wheels (the SL has 15-inch steel), rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, front and rear foglights, paddle gear shifts with the automatic transmission. There’s a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob. Climate control air conditioning is used instead of the DIY setup on the Cerato SL.

Ride and handling in the Kia Cerato are not quite in the class of European cars of this size, but the South Korean engineers are getting closer to the sharpness and feel all the time. Other than steering that was slightly vague with the wheel at the straight ahead position we liked the way feedback was passed to the driver.

There’s a solid feel in the Cerato’s body that’s very seldom felt in other cars in this class. Indeed it’s not far from being Volkswagen in its feel, and that’s high praise indeed.

Interestingly, the new Kia Cerato hatch has jumped ahead of its sedan and coupe brothers in its mechanical specifications. These will be uprated in January 2011 to include the six-speed transmissions (both the sedan and Koup both currently having five-speed manual and four-speed automatic ratios). They will also get the revised suspension and steering system that are fitted to the new hatchback.

Kia’s new Cerato offers a lot of car for the money. Add that to a good degree of driving pleasure from the engine and chassis dynamics and we feel there’s a place for this machine on quite a number of buyers’ short lists.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
Cerato Si 2.0-litre petrol five-door hatch: $20,240 (manual), $22,240 (automatic)
Cerato SLi 2.0-litre petrol five-door hatch: $24,040 (manual), $26,240 (automatic)
(Note: Prices do not include dealer or government charges)

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in both models
Automatic Transmission: Optional in both models
Cruise Control: Standard in both models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in both models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in both models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in both models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in SLi
Reversing Camera: Not offered
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in both models
Satellite Navigation: Not offered
Bluetooth: Standard in both models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in both models

SPECIFICATIONS (Kia Cerato 2.0-litre petrol five-door hatch)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.998 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 86.0 mm x 86.0 mm
Maximum Power: 115 kW @ 6200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 194 Nm @ 4300 rpm
 
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 4.188:1

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4340 mm
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Width: 1775 mm
Height: 1460 mm
Turning Circle: 10.3 metres
Kerb Mass: 1360 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 52 litres
Towing Ability: 500 kg (1000 kg with braked trailer)
Boot Capacity: 385 litres

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Coupled torsion beam axle
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.5 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7/10
Air Pollution Rating: 8.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years/unlimited km