Kia Cerato Review

Nowadays, the C-segment sedan market in Malaysia is fiercely competitive. Family users and young professionals tend to prefer models that combine high cost-performance and practical configurations. As a facelift model, the 2020 Kia Cerato 1.6 SX retains core features at a lower price, targeting consumers who value balance. This test drive focuses on its performance in static design, dynamic capabilities, and everyday practicality to see whether it meets mainstream needs.

In terms of appearance, the 2020 Cerato 1.6 SX continues the design style of the current model. The front face features the signature tiger-nose grille combined with LED daytime running lights, offering high recognition. The body side lines are smooth, with a combination of 17-inch wheels and 215/45R17 tires, presenting a well-proportioned visual appearance. At the rear, the LED taillights correspond to the front design, and the overall shape is simple and elegant, aligning with the position of a family sedan. The lighting system includes automatic headlights and front fog lights, providing good convenience for daily use.

The interior adopts a dark tone with silver trims as decoration, giving it a moderate sense of quality. The central control area is equipped with a touchscreen, offering decent operation smoothness and supporting basic multimedia functions. In terms of configuration, the car comes standard with a multifunctional steering wheel and paddle shifters, making it convenient for drivers to control the vehicle. The front dual-zone automatic air conditioning provides precise adjustments, while the passenger and rear air vents ensure uniform cabin temperature. As for seats, the driver's seat supports electric adjustment, offering good cushioning and support, which reduces fatigue during long rides; the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 ratio, enhancing the flexibility of storage space.

The space performance meets C-segment standards. The body dimensions are 4560mm in length, 1780mm in width, and 1445mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2700mm. The front row offers ample head and legroom, ensuring comfort even for passengers as tall as 180cm. Rear legroom measures about two fist widths, and headroom is around one fist, meeting the everyday needs of a family. Regarding storage capacity, the trunk offers standard space under normal conditions and can be expanded to a larger capacity by folding down the rear seats, making it suitable for loading bulky items. Additionally, the cabin is equipped with multiple storage compartments, such as a center armrest box and door panel storage slots, which are convenient for storing small items.

The power system is equipped with a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine delivering a maximum power of 130PS and a maximum torque of 157N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In actual driving, the power output is smooth when starting, with moderate acceleration response, meeting urban commuting needs. During mid- to high-speed overtakes, flooring the accelerator triggers timely downshifting, and the power reserve is generally adequate, though it lacks a pronounced thrusting sensation. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson independent setup, tuned for comfort. It effectively absorbs vibrations when driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, keeping the body stable. The steering wheel has moderate accuracy with little play, providing good agility for daily driving.

Fuel efficiency is satisfactory, with an official combined fuel consumption of 6.8L/100km. Real-world urban driving conditions consume about 7.5-8.0L/100km, while highway driving consumes approximately 6.0-6.5L/100km, which meets the expectations for a family sedan. The braking performance is stable, with a 100km/h to 0 braking distance at a medium level among models of the same class. In terms of noise control, the interior remains quiet at low speeds, though tire and wind noise become more noticeable at higher speeds, but still within an acceptable range.

Rich safety configurations, standard with 6 airbags (front dual airbags, side airbags, and side curtains), ABS anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, and other safety features are well in place. In addition, the car is equipped with front and rear parking sensors and a reverse camera, enhancing parking convenience.

The core advantage of the 2020 Kia Cerato 1.6 SX lies in its price reduction to RM 99,214, which is RM 4,134 lower than the 2019 model, while retaining practical features such as 6 airbags, electric seats, and dual-zone air conditioning, highlighting its impressive cost-effectiveness. Compared to competitors in the same segment, such as the Honda Civic 1.5L or Toyota Corolla 1.8L, its configuration level is comparable, but its price is more competitive. Overall, this car is suitable for family users who focus on cost performance and practicality, especially consumers who need to balance daily commuting and family travel.

In summary, the 2020 Kia Cerato 1.6 SX is a well-rounded family sedan, meeting mainstream needs in terms of design, space, features, and performance. Its price advantage makes it more attractive in the same market segment. If you are looking for an economical, practical, and well-equipped family car, this model is worth considering.