Which Kia Cerato Version Should You Buy?
The Kia Cerato catalogue covers seven generation entries, including restylings, from March 2004 onward. The choice is broader than the repeated version names suggest: depending on generation, Cerato buyers can compare Sedan and Hatchback 5-door bodies, Gasoline and Diesel engines, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, and outputs from 102 to 204 hp.
The Kia Cerato catalogue covers seven generation entries, including restylings, from March 2004 onward. The choice is broader than the repeated version names suggest: depending on generation, Cerato buyers can compare Sedan and Hatchback 5-door bodies, Gasoline and Diesel engines, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, and outputs from 102 to 204 hp. For outright performance, the third-generation turbocharged 1.6 MT with 204 hp is the leading measured option, reaching 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. For the lowest measured combined consumption, the first-generation-restyling 1.6 MT Diesel records 5.2 l/100 km. Buyers seeking the newest listed specification can choose among the restyled fourth-generation 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, and 2.0 AT.
Kia Cerato generations: what changed?
First generation and restyling
The first-generation Cerato ran from March 2004 to September 2008 as a Hatchback 5-door, with 14 listed modifications. Its version range included 1.5 and 2.0 Diesel engines and 1.6 and 2.0 Gasoline engines. All listed versions used FWD, while gearboxes were 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic.
The restyled first generation ran from September 2005 to September 2008 as a Sedan and contained five modifications: 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, and a Diesel 1.6 MT. Compared with the original hatchback range, this phase offers a shorter and easier-to-compare selection. It retains independent spring suspension at both ends, 160 mm ground clearance, and a 55-litre tank.
Second generation
The second-generation Sedan ran from 2008 through 2013 and contains 23 modifications, of which 12 are shown in the supplied catalogue. The displayed range uses Gasoline engines of 1591 or 1998 cc, with outputs from 126 to 156 hp. Depending on the specific entry, transmissions have 4, 5, or 6 gears. Ground clearance is listed as either 140 or 150 mm, and every shown version has a 52-litre tank.
Third generation and restyling
The third-generation Sedan ran from 2013 through 2016 and contains 13 modifications, with 12 shown. It has the widest performance spread in the data: naturally aspirated 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 versions sit alongside turbocharged 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT versions producing 204 hp and 265 Nm. Every listed third-generation transmission has 6 gears, every version uses FWD, and ground clearance is 150 mm.
The restyling ran from November 2016 through December 2017 and reduced the catalogue to three versions: 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, and 2.0 AT. All are naturally aspirated Gasoline Sedans with 6-speed transmissions, FWD, a 50-litre tank, and 150 mm ground clearance.
Fourth generation and restyling
The fourth-generation Sedan ran from January 2018 through August 2021 with three modifications: 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, and 2.0 AT. The same three names continue in the restyled fourth generation from September 2021 onward. Output remains 128 hp for both 1.6 versions and 150 hp for the 2.0 AT.
The suspension listing changes at the restyling: the 2018–2021 cars have independent spring front and semi-independent spring rear suspension, while the later entries specify independent spring suspension at both ends. Wheel sizes, weights, clearance, tank capacity, performance, and consumption remain the same for corresponding versions in the supplied figures.
Kia Cerato engine and transmission comparison
Repeated version names must be read together with their generation and power output. In particular, third-generation 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT entries exist with both 130 hp naturally aspirated engines and 204 hp Turbo engines.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.5 MT | 102 hp | 235 Nm | 1493 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 2.0 MT Diesel | 112 hp | 245 Nm | 1991 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 MT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 143 Nm | 1599 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 AT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 143 Nm | 1599 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 MT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 154 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 1.6 AT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 154 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 2.0 MT Gasoline | 143 hp | 186 Nm | 1975 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 2.0 AT | 143 hp | 186 Nm | 1975 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling 1.6 MT Gasoline | 122 hp | 154 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling 1.6 AT | 122 hp | 154 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling 1.6 MT Diesel | 115 hp | 255 Nm | 1582 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling 2.0 MT | 143 hp | 186 Nm | 1975 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First-generation restyling 2.0 AT | 143 hp | 186 Nm | 1975 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 MT, 5-speed | 126 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 MT, 6-speed/156 Nm | 126 hp | 156 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 MT, 6-speed/157 Nm | 126 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 AT, 4-speed | 126 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 AT, 6-speed/156 Nm | 126 hp | 156 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.6 AT, 6-speed/157 Nm | 126 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 194 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 194 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MT, 156 hp/5-speed | 156 hp | 195 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 MT, 156 hp/6-speed | 156 hp | 194 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 156 hp/4-speed | 156 hp | 196 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 2.0 AT, 156 hp/6-speed | 156 hp | 194 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 1.6 MT, 130 hp | 130 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 1.6 AT, 130 hp | 130 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 1.6 MT, 204 hp | 204 hp | 265 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 1.6 AT, 204 hp | 204 hp | 265 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 1.8 MT, 148 hp/1241 kg | 148 hp | 178 Nm | 1797 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 1.8 AT, 148 hp/1259 kg | 148 hp | 178 Nm | 1797 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 1.8 MT, 148 hp/1278 kg | 148 hp | 178 Nm | 1797 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 1.8 AT, 148 hp/1295 kg | 148 hp | 178 Nm | 1797 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 194 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 2.0 AT, 150 hp/1265 kg | 150 hp | 194 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.0 AT, 150 hp/1321 kg | 150 hp | 194 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 2.0 MT, 175 hp | 175 hp | 209 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third-generation restyling 1.6 MT | 130 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third-generation restyling 1.6 AT | 130 hp | 157 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third-generation restyling 2.0 AT | 150 hp | 194 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth generation 1.6 MT | 128 hp | 155 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth generation 1.6 AT | 128 hp | 155 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth generation 2.0 AT | 150 hp | 192 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth-generation restyling 1.6 MT | 128 hp | 155 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth-generation restyling 1.6 AT | 128 hp | 155 Nm | 1591 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth-generation restyling 2.0 AT | 150 hp | 192 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
The 204 hp third-generation 1.6 engines produce approximately 128.2 hp per litre. That compares with about 87.5 hp per litre for the 175 hp 2.0 MT and roughly 75.0 hp per litre for the later 150 hp 2.0 AT. Among these performance-oriented choices, the turbo 1.6 therefore extracts substantially more power from each litre of displacement.
Kia Cerato performance and mpg
The quickest measured Cerato is the third-generation 1.6 MT with 204 hp: 0–100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds. The corresponding 1.6 AT with 204 hp takes 7.7 seconds, a difference of 0.3 seconds. Both record 11.2 l/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined; top speed is not measured.
A less thirsty performance choice is the third-generation 2.0 MT with 150 hp. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, has a 210 km/h top speed, and consumes 9.3/5.5/6.9 l/100 km city/highway/combined. The corresponding 2.0 AT with a 1265 kg kerb weight takes 9.0 seconds and records 10.2/5.4/7.2 l/100 km. Choosing the Manual saves 0.3 l/100 km combined and cuts the measured acceleration time by 0.5 seconds.
For the restyled third generation, the 2.0 AT reaches 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds and 205 km/h, while the 1.6 MT needs 10.1 seconds and reaches 200 km/h. The 1.6 MT uses 6.7 l/100 km combined, compared with 7.4 for the 2.0 AT. The extra 20 hp therefore costs 0.7 l/100 km in combined consumption but cuts 0–100 km/h by 0.8 seconds.
In both fourth-generation phases, the 1.6 MT takes 10.6 seconds, reaches 200 km/h, and consumes 7.1 l/100 km combined. The 1.6 AT takes 11.6 seconds, reaches 195 km/h, and uses 7.2 l/100 km combined. The 2.0 AT takes 9.8 seconds, reaches 203 km/h, and consumes 7.4 l/100 km combined. Against the 1.6 AT, it adds 22 hp, cuts 1.8 seconds from the acceleration time, and adds 0.2 l/100 km to combined consumption.
The lowest measured combined consumption is 5.2 l/100 km from the first-generation-restyling 1.6 MT Diesel. Its 0–100 km/h time is 11.5 seconds and top speed is 186 km/h. Several other early versions have fuel-consumption, acceleration, or top-speed fields listed as not measured; those missing figures should not be treated as zero.
Kia Cerato dimensions, weight, clearance, and wheels
Exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. Weight and chassis-related measurements are available and give a useful comparison.
The original first-generation entries have 160 mm ground clearance and a 55-litre tank. Listed kerb weights run from 1155 kg for the 1.6 MT with 105 hp to 1300 kg for the 2.0 MT Diesel; some 122 hp 1.6 versions have kerb weight not measured. Gross weights range from 1720 to 1855 kg. The first-generation-restyling Sedan also has 160 mm clearance and a 55-litre tank, with kerb weights from 1220 to 1255 kg and gross weights from 1720 to 1840 kg. Listed wheel choices for its 1.6 Gasoline versions are 185/65 R15, 195/60 R15, and 205/50 R16; wheel sizes for the other versions are not measured.
Displayed second-generation versions have kerb weights from 1236 to 1380 kg and gross weights from 1680 to 1740 kg. Clearance is either 140 or 150 mm, and the tank holds 52 litres. Listed wheels include 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, and 215/45 R17, depending on version.
Third-generation kerb weights span 1178 to 1380 kg, while available gross weights span 1720 to 1790 kg. Every entry has 150 mm clearance and a 50-litre tank. Listed wheel sizes are 205/55 R16 and 215/45 R17. On the restyling, kerb weights are 1178 kg for 1.6 MT, 1295 kg for 1.6 AT, and 1239 kg for 2.0 AT; gross weight is not measured. Its wheels are 205/55 R16 or 215/40 R17.
Both fourth-generation phases list the same weights: 1195 kg kerb and 1660 kg gross for 1.6 MT, 1220 and 1680 kg for 1.6 AT, and 1255 and 1720 kg for 2.0 AT. All have 150 mm clearance, a 50-litre tank, and 195/65 R15 or 205/55 R16 wheels.
Weight per horsepower sharpens the comparison. The fourth-generation 1.6 MT carries about 9.3 kg per hp, the 1.6 AT about 9.5 kg per hp, and the 2.0 AT about 8.4 kg per hp. The third-generation 204 hp 1.6 MT carries about 6.5 kg per hp, explaining its much stronger measured acceleration without relying on displacement alone.
Which Kia Cerato version to choose
For the fastest measured acceleration, choose the third-generation 1.6 MT with 204 hp. Its 7.4-second result beats the 204 hp 1.6 AT by 0.3 seconds, and its 1321 kg kerb weight is 59 kg lower than the Automatic’s 1380 kg. Both share 265 Nm and 9.8 l/100 km combined consumption.
For a balance of speed and consumption, the third-generation 2.0 MT with 150 hp is the stronger numerical compromise. It delivers an 8.5-second 0–100 km/h time and 6.9 l/100 km combined, versus 7.4 seconds and 9.8 l/100 km for the turbocharged 1.6 MT. Giving up 1.1 seconds saves 2.9 l/100 km on the combined figure.
For minimum measured fuel use, choose the first-generation-restyling 1.6 MT Diesel. Its 5.2 l/100 km combined result is 1.6 l/100 km lower than the contemporary 122 hp Gasoline 1.6 MT, while its 255 Nm exceeds that Gasoline version’s 154 Nm by 101 Nm. It is slower to 100 km/h by 1.3 seconds.
For the latest listed Cerato with the best acceleration, choose the fourth-generation-restyling 2.0 AT. It is the quickest of that phase’s three versions at 9.8 seconds and the fastest at 203 km/h. The 1.6 MT is the economy choice at 7.1 l/100 km combined, while the 1.6 AT adds Automatic convenience in the specification but is the slowest of the three at 11.6 seconds.
There is no supplied Kia Cerato price data, so no price premium or purchase cost can be calculated. Reliability, problems, engine-oil capacity, and engine dimensions are also not measured. The defensible buying decision therefore rests on the recorded trade-offs: 1.6 MT for lower consumption and lower weight, 2.0 AT for stronger performance in the newest phase, the 204 hp Turbo 1.6 MT for outright acceleration, or the early Diesel 1.6 MT for the lowest measured combined fuel consumption.