Kia Cerato 2020 Review

In Malaysia's C-segment sedan market, consumers are increasingly paying attention to balance - they want a decent design and configuration, without compromising on practicality or driving experience. The 2020 Kia Cerato 1.6 SX, as one of the popular choices in this segment, attracts the attention of many family users with its pricing close to RM100,000, comprehensive safety features, and comfortable setup. This time we got the actual vehicle to verify whether it truly meets the core needs of daily commuting and family outings and to see where its competitiveness lies among similar models.

In terms of appearance, the overall style of the 2020 Cerato 1.6 SX tends to be stable yet refined. The front adopts Kia's family-style tiger-nose grille, embellished with chrome trim for a more imposing look; the LED daytime running lights integrated into the headlights enhance the visual appeal, although the main light source is halogen, the automatic headlight function is convenient for daily use. The side body lines are smooth, and the 17-inch wheels paired with 215/45R17 tires present proportional coordination, avoiding any overly lightweight appearance. The design of the rear is relatively simple, the internal structure of the taillight cluster is clear, and its illumination provides good recognition; the chrome trim at the bottom of the rear bumper also adds some layering to the back. Overall, the exterior design is not overly aggressive, catering to the aesthetic preferences of most family users.

Stepping inside, the interior layout is practical, with the center console slightly tilted toward the driver, making it rather convenient to operate. Regarding materials, the central area of the console is wrapped in soft materials, paired with silver trims for decoration. Although it cannot be considered luxurious, the texture is above average at this price point. For key features, the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is quite responsive, supporting Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity; the Dual-zone automatic air conditioning is a highlight, allowing the front passengers to adjust temperatures independently, which is very practical for daily use. As for the seats, the driver's seat comes with electric adjustment functionality, and the leather seats are soft yet supportive, ensuring comfort during long rides; the rear space performs reasonably well, providing about two fists worth of legroom for passengers who are 175cm tall, along with adequate headroom. In terms of storage, the front central armrest box and door storage compartments offer considerable capacity, while the rear also features dedicated cup holders and air-conditioning vents, maximizing practicality.

In terms of space performance, the dimensions of the 2020 Cerato 1.6 SX are 4560mm×1780mm×1445mm, and although the specific wheelbase is not mentioned, the actual experience shows that the seating space in both the front and rear can accommodate the needs of five people traveling together. The trunk capacity has not been officially released, but it can comfortably hold two 28-inch suitcases plus some miscellaneous items. Additionally, the rear seats can be folded down, allowing you to handle larger items occasionally. In terms of details, the interior is equipped with 6 speakers; the sound quality is sufficient for listening to music in everyday scenarios. The front row is also equipped with a 220V power outlet, which conveniently allows charging laptops or small appliances.

In terms of performance, the 2020 Cerato 1.6 SX is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 130PS and a peak torque of 157N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In actual driving, the power output during initial acceleration is relatively smooth without evident jerking, making it suitable for daily commuting. During mid-speed acceleration, stepping on the gas pedal deeper results in the transmission actively downshifting, providing a relatively timely power response for overtaking; however, as it’s an N/A engine, acceleration at high speeds feels slightly underwhelming. There are two driving modes to choose from: normal and sport. In sport mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, but overall, the power performance is still inclined towards comfort.

In terms of handling and chassis, the front MacPherson independent suspension setup performs well when dealing with urban road bumps, filtering out most of the small vibrations. While there is slight bouncing when going over speed bumps, it doesn’t feel overly stiff. The steering wheel has a moderate level of effort, with minimal play, making daily driving relatively easy. When cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, without giving a floating sensation. Regarding braking, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes provide a linear braking force output, with braking distances being normal for its class.

As for fuel consumption, we drove equal distances on city roads and highways, with an average fuel consumption of approximately 7.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.8L/100km. However, considering urban traffic congestion, this result is still acceptable. In terms of noise control, the interior is relatively quiet at low speeds, though there is some wind and tire noise at high speeds, but it does not interfere with normal conversations.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2020 Kia Cerato 1.6 SX lies in its balance—rich safety features (6 airbags, front and rear sensors, reverse camera), practical comfort features (dual-zone air conditioning, electric seats), and stable driving experience, all of which are appealing to family users. Compared to the Honda Civic 1.5L or the Toyota Corolla 1.6L in the same class, the Cerato 1.6 SX offers better configurations and is relatively more affordable.

This car is suitable for family users who value practicality and safety. It can meet the needs of daily commuting and weekend family outings. For consumers with a budget of around RM100,000 and looking for a sedan with rich features and stable driving, it is also a good choice. In summary, the 2020 Kia Cerato 1.6 SX is not a performance-oriented vehicle, but within its segment, it achieves balance and practicality, making it a family sedan worth considering.