Kia Cerato Saloon (04-06) - Review Review by David Ross on 13 February 2009 The Cerato saloon replaced the old Mentor in the Kia line up and it's a big improvement, however that's not a difficult achievement. It was designed for 'European' tastes but unfortunately the dour and ungainly looks, along with a low rent and cheap-feeling interior meant few people bought one. It's a good value used buy - as long as the price is low enough - and is an ideal choice if you want a reliable runabout. The saloon version is even more scarce than the hatchback and lacks the five-door models practicality. It's best avoided as there are far better alternatives out there. 2 out of 5 Other Kia reviews Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Gallery 2 out of 5 Performance The hatchback is available with a 1.6 petrol engine which generates a respectable 103bhp. This is the base unit, with a 0-62mph time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 115mph. It's a bit rough around the edges and needs to be worked very hard, but can still deliver 43mpg. A newer 1.5 CRDi diesel - Kia's first - with 101bhp joined the line up in November 2004. It's better than the petrol with decent in-gear pace, but it's not particularly refined and becomes coarse when revved hard. View full gallery 2 out of 5 Handling Kia has put a lot of effort into trying to make the Cerato more refined than its previous models and they have succeeded in giving it a reasonable ride and keeping the bumps and vibrations largely at bay. Insulation against noise could be better and the handling is predictable but unexciting. The steering is light and the gearchanges can be slow too. View full gallery Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. Find out more Kia Cerato cars for sale We have 2 models like this for sale. Find Kia Cerato cars for sale Previous: Equipment Next: Comfort