Item: Used Kia Cerato Hatchback 2004 - 2007
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

CERATO

It's safe, well equipped and practical, but driving it is a let-down

Used Kia Cerato Hatchback 2004 - 2007

Cost-wise, it doesn't matter if you go saloon or hatchback, petrol or diesel, SE or LX, insurance is going to be the same - group 7. The 1.5-litre diesel comes with an impressive claimed 57.6mpg, while the 1.5-litre petrol still manages an acceptable 40.4mpg. The driving range is good on all models, thanks to a 12-gallon fuel tank.

On average, the Cerato works out a little less expensive to service than rivals such as the Chevrolet Kalos and the Hyundai Matrix, and like these two, it only needs servicing every 10,000 miles.

It's safe, well equipped and practical, but driving it is a let-down

Obviously, the five-door hatchback is more practical than the booted saloon, but if you want the most powerful engine, you have no choice but to go for the saloon.

The 141bhp 2.0-litre petrol is only available in the four-door body. With variable valve timing, it's a flexible performer, but not terribly economical. The remaining choices are a 109bhp diesel and a 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol, which is the one we recommend.

There's no need to worry about lousy equipment levels. Even if you plump for the entry-level GS, you still get air-con, remote central locking, electric front windows and a CD player, which is pretty good. Don't worry too much about the LX trim, though, because the biggest gain there is alloy wheels.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

Great things are expected from Kia in the future, but don't be fooled into thinking that the manufacturer is there quite yet. The JD Power survey repeatedly demonstrates that there is still work to be done.

Few specific faults have been highlighted on the Cerato yet, but do check for clutch problems. If the pedal feels anything less than smooth and fluid in its action, then step away. Ensure that you give the five-speed manual a thorough trial. If the gearbox refuses to engage first or reverse gears smoothly when cold, there could be an underlying - and potentially costly - reason.

Engines that sound unduly noisy on start-up are best avoided, too, and even if all sounds well, make sure the cooling system is working properly before you buy.

The Cerato replaced the Shuma in May 2004. Inside the contemporary cabin, the layout is neat and tidy and build quality is reasonable, but the materials are far from the most expensive around.

Finding a decent driving position shouldn't be too difficult because the steering column and driver's seat are height adjustable. You can fit four adults in reasonable comfort, and they'll have more headroom in the back of this hatch than the saloon. Both models get 60/40 split folding rear seats and decent boot space.

Three engines are available - two petrols, a 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre, along with a 1.5-litre diesel. None is outstanding, and the handling is nothing special, either. Vague steering and large amounts of body roll mean the Cerato is a long way off the class leaders. As long as the road surface is smooth, the ride should be comfortable enough, though.

Used Kia Cerato Hatchback 2004 - 2007 review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

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Used Kia Cerato Hatchback 2004 - 2007 review

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