The Kia Cerato is entering 2022 unchanged following a facelift earlier this year.

    UPDATE, 07/02/2022 – Recommended retail prices have been increased by $600 across the entire Cerato range, and drive-away pricing has been increased by between $1000 to $2000, depending on the trim level.

    Kia attributes the price increases to external factors such as exchange rates and business costs, and the Cerato is among several Kia model lines so affected.

    There have been no spec changes beyond the previous addition of the new badges.

    The largely cosmetic update brought revised headlights as well as new LED daytime running lights, finally banishing the old circular halogen DRLs that afflicted much of the pre-update range.

    Additional changes included a revised grille and front bumper, with sedans also receiving changes to their tail lights, boot and rear bumper.

    The updated Cerato was also the first Kia locally to receive the brand’s new logo.

    Manual models were axed but the base S picked up wireless smartphone mirroring, with the rest of the range scoring a new 10.25-inch touchscreen albeit still with wired mirroring.

    Lane-following assist, rear occupant alert and rear air vents were made standard across the range.

    We miss out on the digital instrument cluster available in other markets, as well as the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that comes standard with the base engine in markets like the USA.

    Cerato prices have continued to rise since the introduction of the current-generation model in 2018. It launched with a $19,990 drive-away S manual version, though even the S auto was $21,490 drive-away or $4500 cheaper than the same model today.

    That hasn’t stopped the Cerato from entrenching itself as the third best-selling model in the admittedly contracting small car segment, behind only the Toyota Corolla and its own corporate cousin, the Hyundai i30.

    Pricing

    • 2022 Kia Cerato S: $25,990 (+$500)
    • 2022 Kia Cerato S with Safety Pack: $26,990 (+$500)
    • 2022 Kia Cerato Sport: $28,090 (+$500)
    • 2022 Kia Cerato Sport with Safety Pack: $29,090 (+$500)
    • 2022 Kia Cerato Sport+: $31,140 (+$500)
    • 2022 Kia Cerato GT: $35,790 (+$500)

    All prices are before on-road costs. Hatch and sedan models are offered at the same price.

    Engines

    The 2022 Kia Cerato range comes with a choice of two engines.

    Most models use a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 112kW of power and 192Nm of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard.

    The range-topping GT replaces the 2.0-litre with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder producing 150kW of power and 265Nm of torque, mated exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

    All models are front-wheel drive.

    Fuel Economy

    The 2022 Kia Cerato uses 7.4L/100km on the ADR combined cycle when equipped with the 2.0-litre engine, while the more powerful GT is more efficient at 6.8L/100km.

    All Cerato models run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel and have a 50L fuel tank.

    Dimensions

    The 2022 Kia Cerato sedan measures 4640mm long, 1440mm tall and 1800mm wide, while the hatchback is 4510mm long, 1445mm tall and 1800mm wide. GT models are 5mm lower.

    Both body styles have a 2700mm wheelbase.

    Total luggage space is 502L for the sedan and 428L for the hatchback. Underneath the boot floor is a space-saver spare.

    Servicing and Warranty

    All 2022 Kia Cerato models are covered by Kia’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    It requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, except in the GT which requires servicing every 12 months or 10,000km.

    Kia offers seven years of capped-price servicing. The prices are as follows:

    IntervalS, Sport, Sport+GT 1.6-litre turbo
    1 year$275$275
    2 years$469$454
    3 years$339$354
    4 years$607$498
    5 years$309$309
    6 years$596$695
    7 years$328$649

    Safety

    When the Kia Cerato was tested by ANCAP in 2019, it received a split rating.

    Kia Cerato S and Sport models without the Safety Pack received a rating of four stars, while all other Cerato models received a rating of five stars from ANCAP.

    All models received an adult occupant protection score of 90 per cent, child occupant protection score of 83 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 55 per cent and a safety assist score of 71 per cent.

    All 2022 Kia Cerato models come standard with the following safety equipment:

    • Front, front-side, and curtain airbags
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Lane-following assist
    • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
    • Rear occupant alert
    • Driver attention alert with leading vehicle departure alert
    • Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors

    When equipped with the Safety Pack, or in Sport Plus and GT trim, the list of safety equipment is expanded to include:

    • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Safe exit warning

    The Sport+ and GT also feature blind-spot assist.

    Standard Equipment

    The base Cerato S comes with the following standard features:

    • 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen
    • Cruise control
    • Air conditioning
    • Six-speaker sound system
    • Automatic healdights
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Tyre pressure monitoring
    • 16-inch steel wheels
    • Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column

    The Cerato Sport brings:

    • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
    • Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Satellite navigation
    • DAB digital radio
    • Illuminated vanity mirrors
    • Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
    • 17-inch alloy wheels

    Both the Cerato S and Cerato Sport are available with the Safety Pack ($1500), which adds:

    • Adaptive cruise control
    • 15-inch rear disc brakes
    • Electronic parking brake
    • Power-folding exterior mirrors
    • AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection
    • Safe exit warning
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and shifter (already standard on Sport)

    The Cerato Sport+ receives the features of the Safety Pack plus:

    • Blind-spot assist
    • Rear cross-traffic assist
    • Leather-appointed seats
    • Keyless entry and start
    • Heated front seats
    • Dual-zone climate control with auto defog function
    • Electrochromatic rear-view mirror

    The flagship Cerato GT includes the following:

    • 1.6-litre turbo engine
    • 18-inch alloy wheels in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres
    • Multi-link rear suspension
    • LED headlights and tail lights
    • LED interior lighting
    • Leather-appointed ‘sports tubular’ trim
    • Flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Wireless phone charging
    • Eight-speaker JBL premium sound system
    • Hands-free power boot-lid (sedan only)
    • Dual exhaust
    • Alloy pedals
    • Paddle shifters
    • Tilt/slide sunroof
    • Ventilated front seats

    Colours

    Clear White is standard, with the following metallic finishes available for an extra $520 across the range:

    • Silky Silver
    • Steel Grey
    • Platinum Graphite
    • Aurora Black
    • Runway Red
    • Mineral Blue
    • Horizon Blue

    Snow White Pearl is also a $520 option.

    All models have a black interior.

    MORE: Everything Kia Cerato

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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