Kia Cerato facelift (Malaysia)
Kia
has launched the facelifted Kia Cerato, which has
appeared in showrooms.
The Cerato has always been seen as a budget
alternative to the two Japanese heavyweights, but sales advisors have mentioned
that the refreshed model could see a slight price hike across the three 1.6 KX,
1.6 and 2.0 litre variants. The current models are priced at RM 91,888,
RM 101,888 and RM 119,888 respectively, on-the-road with insurance.
Exterior revisions include a broader, slimmer “tiger
nose” grille that’s mounted lower, while the headlights have also been made
wider and sleeker, with slimmer eyebrow LED daytime running lights. Lower down,
the air intakes and fog lights have been streamlined, and BMW-esque air curtain
intakes as seen on the new Optima also make an appearance here.
At the rear, there are redesigned tail light
graphics for both bulb-type (1.6 KX) and LED (1.6 and 2.0) units, with the
indicators and reverse lights that sit on the bottom edge instead of on top;
there’s also a new, simpler black rear apron design. A new two-tone design for
the 17-inch alloy wheels completes the aesthetic.
Few changes are apparent inside, with revised
instrument cluster display graphics, redesigned switchgear, new faux carbon
fibre pattern around the air vents and a smattering of chrome and gloss black
highlights being the only discernible updates. There’s no flat-bottomed
steering wheel here, unlike in some markets.
All
models getting the aforementioned 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, push-button
start, auto headlights, cruise control, rear air-con vents, Flex Steer
adjustable weight for the steering, front and rear parking sensors, an
eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a reverse
camera.
The 1.6 adds on LED tail lights, dual-zone automatic
climate control with cluster ioniser, aluminium pedals, electric seats with
memory, gear shift paddles, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather-wrapped
steering wheel and soft touch upper door trims.
The range-topping 2.0 receives a rear
spoiler, sunroof, a Supervision colour multi-info display and leather seats –
now with heating and ventilation on the front passenger seat, instead of just
the driver’s side. The auto-levelling xenon headlights appear to have been
removed from the list of kit – the manual headlight level adjustor is seen even
on the 2.0.
Safety-wise, the 1.6 KX
still comes with only two airbags and no stability control; you’ll have to
stump up for the 1.6 model to gain six airbags and stability control. That’s a
shame, considering that the Civic has them throughout the range, although the
Cerato should still undercut the Honda considerably, spec-for-spec.
It’s unclear what engines power the new
Cerato, but expect it to soldier on with the current car’s 130 PS/157 Nm 1.6
litre Gamma II and 161 PS/194 Nm 2.0 litre Nu MPI four-cylinder engines, mated
to a six-speed automatic transmission.
