Test drive Kia Cerato (Spectra) Sedan 2004 - 2007 sedan

Variations on the topic

Kia Cerato - successful reincarnation Elantra
 
Korean automakers are not yet able to compete with more eminent Japanese and European colleagues - their cars are less prestigious, easier to perform and equipped. However, their strength is the cost, which is very, very relevant for our country. Not so long ago, Kia Cerato has appeared 100% in the market, this is the most important indicator and probably many will have to taste.
 
The appearance of Cerato does not pretend to be originality, however, this is traditional - the design of cars has never been a strong side of Kia. So this time the Koreans went along the beaten path, taking the thread from the world. However, this mainly applies to individual details, in general, the car turned out to be very similar to its closest relative and part -time competitor - Hyundai Elantra.
 
By the way, to some extent, the latter can be considered as a new product, because both of these cars are built on the same platform (although you will not surprise anyone in the era of universal globalization). And since such a practice is common among the powers that of this world (for example, Audi A3, VW Golf V and the new Skoda Octavia are built on one platform), it would be strange if Kia, now under Hyundai, did not use the resources of its cartridge.
 
Nevertheless, the tongue does not turn to call Kia Cerato a simpleton. Yes, the car turned out to be less fresh and stylish than, for example, the Chevrolet Lacetti, which came out of the Italian-Korean pen, is still quite pretty, is able to please, so he will probably find his admirers. Moreover, the Korean has quite real virtues. The main of which is a very spacious salon. To the level of cars of the representative class, of course, he is far away (it is still worth considering the rather modest size of the car), nevertheless, there are plenty of living space for the driver and three passengers here. With his two -meter height, the author of these lines fit without any problems not only driving, but also on the back sofa. Of course, with such impressive dimensions yourself in the C-class Sedan you will not be comfortably settled, but if people of average growth are on the front row, a couple of basketball players will also be quite freely located at the back, since the ceiling height allows.
 
As for the workplace, everything is simple here. No excesses, all adjustments are standard - the steering wheel moves only in height, and the seat - back and forth. From the equipment in the version we got to the test, there were only air conditioning, a couple of front windows, immobilizer, audio training, two airbags and ABS with EBD. If necessary, you can turn to a very extensive list of options, by the way, prices here are quite democratic. So, for 250-300 cu In the car, an on -board computer, rear windows, electric drive and heating of mirrors will be installed. For a large amount, you can get climate control, side airbags, a leather interior or a pair of electronic systems - BAS (emergency braking system) and TCS (traffic stabilization system). However, for an unpretentious driver, there is enough standard equipment.
 
Continuing a conversation about the salon, it is worth noting the performance of the interior. The first thing that catches your eye is a massive two -tone front panel (you expect such a delight more in a business class, but not in the budget Asian). And although the material from which it is made, of course, far from the highest category, everything looks quite presentable. The same can be said about the rest of the interior details - as they say, simple, but with taste. And that, by the way, cannot but rejoice - everything is collected and adjusted almost perfectly, at least no criminal creaks in the all time in the cabin appeared.
 
But still, it was not without a spoonful of tar, and quite weighty.
 
If there are no complaints about the build quality of Cerato, then the question of the practicality of the interior is quite acute. The love of Koreans (as, in general, and many other Asian automakers) to light tones - almost white carpet on the floor, creamy fabric on seats and beige plastic panels ... It looks good, even with a claim to luxury. But given the Russian realities (in the form of almost black snow, abundantly seasoned with various kinds of reagents, and resinless mud), after a couple of months the salon will require at least general cleaning, or even dry cleaning, which is more likely for the budget model of the C-class than dignity.
 
We have already mentioned that Cerato was built on the Elantra platform, so from a technical point of view, the novelty from Kia is an exact copy of its senior competitor. The same suspensions are the same (in front of Macpherson, the back of the multi-link), and transmission (5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed automatic), and power units-two gasoline engines with volumes of 1.6 and 2 liters, with a capacity of 105 and 143 hp. respectively. Our basic version, of course, was equipped with the most democratically-under the hood of a 1.6-liter 16-valve engine aggregated with a mechanical gearbox.
 
As for the running characteristics of the car, they are quite typical - a frisky start, even acceleration, a worthy dynamics ... The box switches easily and clearly. In the city, you immediately feel the advantages of a stretched third gear, but you should not get carried away - the engine lacks power, and at the top there is rod. In addition, after 3,000 rpm, insufficient sound insulation of the motor compartment affects. By the way, it would be nice to protect an additional layer of insulating material and wheel arches. The suspension works worthy. It is moderately tough, it completely swallows small irregularities, while large cars are passionately and clearly, significantly, but not very shaking the sitting inside.
 
At the same time, Cerato is more than confidently holding the road and does not upset with serious rolls in corners. Against the background of such averaging, one cannot fail to note the severity of the steering wheel and brakes. Here, the creators of the car worked five with a plus. The Korean instantly and clearly reacts even to a slight turn of the steering wheel, clearly prescribing the given path.
 
Such a KIA turned out to be Cerato - a moderate car for moderate money, without obvious advantages, but also without obvious flaws. However, is it not that middle ground in the ratio of price/quality that most motorized Russians dream of today? ..
 
Text Vladimir Zhidkov
 

A source: Mkobil magazine