Reliability

Over the past eight months of ownership, my Cerato has proven to be a mixed bag when it comes to reliability, heavily impacted by a lack of prior maintenance. While it has generally started and driven, it suffers from significant mechanical flaws that severely affect its performance and drivability.

The primary concern is the transmission, which exhibits severe hesitation and erratic behaviour. Gear changes are notably sloppy, often slipping between shifts before abruptly slamming into gear. This results in an unrefined, jerky ride quality and creates a safety hazard when I need to accelerate quickly to merge, navigate traffic gaps, or accelerate from a complete stop.

Compounding these transmission troubles, the engine has developed a severe internal mechanical noise, specifically pointing toward a rod knock or piston slap.

This mechanical failure is almost certainly the result of the vehicle’s poor maintenance record, having previously gone an alarming 48,000 kilometres without an oil change. Operating on degraded oil for such an extended period caused irreversible wear and tear to the engine internals.

This specific Kia powertrain (the 2.0 MPi G4NA motor) is remarkably sensitive to poor maintenance. Although these engines can achieve strong reliability when properly serviced to at least the manufacturer’s schedule, a neglected example can quickly become more trouble than it’s worth.

How it drives

While this is not a traditional driver’s car, that is entirely expected from an affordable commuter hatchback. Evaluated through the lens of daily driving, it proves to be remarkably impressive. The vehicle handles corners smoothly, assuming the road is free of mid-corner bumps, as the torsion bar rear suspension has a tendency to bounce quite aggressively if a mid-corner bump is encountered.

It remains stable across various road surfaces and conditions. Kia’s local ride and handling suspension tuning has clearly paid off, allowing the car to perform just as well on winding country roads as it does navigating congested city streets.
However, the drivetrain presents a notable drawback.

While the six-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine cruising efficiently at just over 2,000 RPM at 100 km/h, the power plant feels underpowered at speeds exceeding 70 km/h.

Overtaking slower traffic or merging onto highways demands careful planning and full-throttle acceleration. And you will hear the engine when you do that! It’s not a particularly refined powertrain. Plus, on coarse-chip surfaces, the engine clearly labours to maintain highway speeds.

On the positive side, the steering is a major highlight. It strikes an ideal balance: light yet communicative, offering sharp turn-in response without ever feeling numb or artificially over-assisted. Ultimately, while this may not be a thrilling sports car, it is undoubtedly a pleasant and comfortable daily driver that will satisfy anyone seeking straightforward, reliable commuting.

Ownership experience

My ownership experience has been a mixed bag; while being reasonably affordable to maintain, it’s offset by disappointing city fuel economy. On the positive side, routine maintenance is budget-friendly. A standard oil change at my local mechanic costs around $390 (excluding air and cabin filters), and comprehensive insurance runs about $800 annually, though individual rates will naturally vary based on personal factors.

Furthermore, sourcing OEM parts is remarkably straightforward, whether through a local Kia dealership, a wrecking yard, or specialised online suppliers like Automotive Superstore.

However, the major drawback is the urban fuel consumption. Despite driving gently and avoiding heavy acceleration, my typical city driving consistently exceeds 12 litres per 100 kilometres, meaning frequent fuel stops every 350 kilometres.

While highway cruising yields impressive figures as low as 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres, the overall combined average sits around 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres. This falls significantly short of Kia’s official claim of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres, making it a costly commuter for city dwellers.

Features and practicality

Features and practicality are two of this car’s strongest selling points. My specific 2018 S model (without the AV pack) comes well-equipped with Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, cruise control, projector halogen lights, front and rear foglights and a comprehensive suite of safety tech, including six airbags, ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, and front and rear parking sensors.

Moving higher up the trim range unlocks even more modern amenities, such as standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (on 2016 models and newer), automatic headlights, and advanced active safety features like Autonomous Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Monitoring. All Ceratos of this generation carry a 5-star ANCAP safety rating from 2013.

Inside, the cabin punches well above its weight class for space and usability. The boot is impressively large for a hatchback, offering 385 litres of cargo room, while the rear seats can comfortably accommodate fully grown adults. Rear passengers also benefit from conveniences like a centre armrest and bottle holders that remain easily accessible even when the doors are closed.

Up front, the layout is driver-focused and accommodating. At six feet tall, I fit comfortably behind the wheel, surrounded by smart storage options.

These include two centre cup holders, a small phone tray ahead of them (though larger devices like my iPhone 14 Plus may not fit), a spacious centre console, a deep glove box, and a practical storage pocket in front of the gear shifter equipped with dual 12V sockets, a USB port, and an AUX jack. For its compact footprint, the Cerato offers great everyday usability.

Any other thoughts?

Overall, the Kia Cerato YD makes a genuinely great daily driver. If you are searching for an exciting sports car, this isn’t it; however, if you need a safe, practical, well-equipped, and comfortable commuter, it at least deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Provided you find a well-maintained example that passes a thorough pre-purchase inspection, it should deliver years of dependable, trouble-free service. Just make sure to choose wisely!

MORE: Check out our other used Kia reviews

MORE: Check out our other hatchback reviews