At the time of release KIA Cerato 1- 2nd generation, the brand itself,—
KIA, did not differ in prestige. Then, in 2005, our people only began to perceive Korean cars as something normal, and not consumer goods. And it is worth saying that in the formation of the image of KIA, as a manufacturer of solid and high-quality cars, the very first Cerato played a rather significant role. 
220 million dollars were invested in the development and commissioning of the production of KIA Cerato 1. This car was also assembled in Ukrainian Lutsk, and what is even more interesting:— in terms of sales, at some point, she bypassed even such a beloved in Ukraine lanos, and became the best-selling foreign car in Ukraine.
Today, you can buy Kia cerate 1 for 6,000$. For its price, this car is comparable to the very first Focus, or the second Astra. True, the latter, for the same money, will be a couple of years older.
About the appearance of KIA Cerato 1
Take a look at the photo of KIA Cerato 1 - does this car look worse than the 9th Lancer? First cerate, 
Produced as a sedan, and as a hatchback. Moreover, the latter, with its appearance, looks more like a station wagon. This is similar to the first Mazda 3.
The base sedan, with a 1.6L engine and a manual transmission, has a curb weight of 1169kg. According to the reviews of the owners of KIA Cerato 1, rust spots often appear on the hood of their car, caused by rubble impacts.
In 2007, modernization was carried out over Cerato, such cars are easiest to recognize by the transparent strip at the bottom of the lights. Cerato , in a more expensive version EX , already from the factory, were equipped with foglights.
- About the salon:
Cerato of the first generation, showed itself rather weakly onEuroNcap. 
There, she scored only 3 stars, while in those years, for golf-class cars, 5 stars were already the norm. In execution LX , in the cerate base, included two, front air bag -a, heated front seats, and angle-adjustable steering wheel.
It is also worth noting that 345 liters of trunk volume, by the standards of a golf class, is really small.
Characteristics of Kia Cerato 1
Initially, the base engine of KIA Cerato 1 was 1.6 for 104hp. But, after restyling, its power increased to 122 horses. A more powerful, two-liter modification, has 143hp of power and 186N.M of thrust on the front wheels. Good performance, given the not so high compression ratio in 10.1: 1.
By the way, thanks to the timing chain drive, the KIA cerate 1.6 engine is significantly more reliable than its two-liter modification.
Of course, we can say that the same Honda, for its civilian models, shot 150hp from two liters already at the end of the 80s, but it should be understood that among KIA owners, most drivers are calm people who are not racers in their driving style.
In Europe, diesel engines of 1.5 and 2.0 liters are widely used. With a capacity of 102 and 113hp, respectively.
- Results:
KIA cerate 1, it is worth buying with a 1.6 liter engine. Yes, with the 2.0 engine, the jerk from a standstill, and even more so on the move, is a little stronger, but such a motor is no longer so reliable - when the timing belt breaks,— it will be a very big smut. A two-liter modification is worth buying only, at an initially more attractive cost.
But if you need 2 liters, it's better to find a Honda, albeit an older one, but it will be completely different emotions.
Today, Korean cars have already earned trust among our motorists, but South Korean cars have not always enjoyed such trust. A very significant role in the formation of the image of KIA as a manufacturer of quality cars was played by the Cerato model. Kia Cerato is the successor to the Spectra model, in the States the new car was even sold under the Spectra name, and in South Korea the car is known as the K3. 220 million euros were invested in the development of Kia Cerato, production of Cerato began in 2004, but the Korean model - K3 has been available to South Korean drivers since 2003. Ukrainian motorists often purchased cars assembled in 
Lutsk, because in 2005 the production of Korean cars was launched in the Ukrainian city. The first generation Kia cerate was discontinued in 2009, the first generation was replaced by the second, but today the third generation introduced in 2012 is already being produced. In this article, we will pay attention to the first generation of KIA Cerato 2004 - 2009, although the car is no longer new, but it is a very good option in the secondary car market.
External review of Kia Cerato 2004-2009
Kia cerate of the first generation was produced as a sedan and hatchback, the first body type among our drivers is much more popular than the second. The curb weight of the Kia Cerato sedan with a manual transmission and a 1.6l engine is 1169kg. According to experts, the anti-corrosion protection of Cerato can be assessed as satisfactory, although today it will not be possible to meet frankly rusty specimens, but the edge of the hood cannot withstand the impact of pebbles, it is not uncommon for the paint to crack and the hood begins to rust. Even in some of the older Golf Classes, corrosion resistance is higher, for example, it is higher in, or. "Fly swatter" on the hood of cerate will not be superfluous. Overall dimensions of the sedan 
KIA Cerato: 4480mm*1735mm*1470mm, Cerato wheelbase - 2610mm. It is worth noting that the wheelbase of Cerato cannot be called small, partly due to it, the good directional stability that this car possesses is ensured. In 2007, a restyling was carried out over Cerato, the updated KIA Cerato can be recognized by the new radiator grill, on top of the photo of Cerato before modernization. As well as modified rear lights and bumper. In the photo you can see that on the restyled Cerato, the transparent element on the rear foot dropped to the very bottom of the lamp, and red fog lights appeared in the bumper. A more expensive modification - EX is outwardly distinguishable by fog lights installed in the front bumper. KIA Cerato is put on tires 195/60 R15.
Salon and equipment
According to the results of EuroNCAP, Cerato received 3 stars, even in those years - this is not a very good result, the first Ford Focus produced before 2004 received 4 stars, and its second generation already 5 stars. 
In general, during the years of production of the first Cerato, 5 stars for Golf Class cars was already the norm. Kia cerate can be praised for its spacious interior. The basic package - LX includes electric front windows, hydraulic booster, heated front seats and air conditioning. The steering wheel in KIA Cerato 2004-2009 can be adjusted according to the angle of inclination. A more expensive modification - EX is equipped with all four electric windows, and at the driver's hand there are all four glass control buttons. In the expensive configuration -EX, the driver's seat in Cerato is height adjustable, in addition, the KIA in the EX version is equipped with an electric drive and heated mirrors. At the back, Cerato is quite spacious, it seems that the low seating position on the back sofa, as well as the tilt of the back of the sofa, adds space. The trunk of the Cerato sedan is not large by the standards of the class - 345 liters, but it has a full-size spare tire, which is quite important in our conditions. According to the reviews of the owners of KIA Cerato 2004 - 2009, the sound insulation is not bad, some note it as the best in comparison with the Nissan Almera Classic, or the Mitsubishi Lancer 9.
Technical equipment and Characteristics of KIA Cerato 2004-2009
KIA cerate 2004-2009 was equipped with one of three gasoline engines. This is a 1.6 with 104 horsepower, later this engine was replaced by a 1.6 16v 122hp. The unit is equipped with a CVVT system - this is a variable valve timing system from KIA. It is noteworthy that 1.6 engines are equipped with a timing chain drive, which has a positive effect on the reliability of the engine. According to experts, there are no typical weaknesses in the Cerato motor. Adjustment of thermal clearances on these motors is required every 300,000 km, work is carried out using shims. We note right away that on diesel versions, which we cannot find “by day with fire”, adjustment of thermal clearances is not required, since Cerato diesel engines are equipped with hydraulic compensators. It takes 11.7s for a driver with a 1.6 engine for 122 horses to accelerate to a hundred kilometers; on the highway, Cerato is capable of developing 186 kilometers per hour.
The most powerful is the modification with a 2.0l engine with a power of 143hp and a pulling force of 186N.M. The higher torque of the two-liter cerate provides a set of one hundred km in 9 seconds. The compression ratio in such an engine is 10.1: 1, due to the not too high compression ratio, many owners pour 92nd gasoline into the Cerato tank, but it is better to pour the 5th. The fuel tank of the Kia Cerato holds 55 liters. It is also worth mentioning that the cylinder diameter of the two-liter cerate is 82mm, and the piston stroke is 93.5mm, which indicates the torsion of the motor (the piston stroke is larger than the cylinder diameter). Gasoline consumption of a two-liter modification of Cerato is 7.5 liters in a combined cycle.
KIA diesel units are equipped with Common Rail fuel injection. Diesel cerates are equipped with 1.5 and 2.0 liter diesel engines, with a capacity of 102 and 113 horsepower, respectively.
Unlike many other foreign cars, KIA Cerato has a rather high ground clearance - 160mm, which is even comparable to some SUVs.
The vast majority of the first Cerato are equipped with mechanical five-speed gearboxes. According to experts, Cerato boxes are quite reliable, only with runs exceeding 50,000 km the backstage oil seal may leak, but this is not a serious breakdown. It is recommended to change the gear oil in the first generation Cerato gearbox every 90,000 km, in an automatic gearbox the same procedure should be performed every 60,000 km.
Chassis cerate is the advantage of this car. Firstly, the first generation of Cerato is equipped with a fully independent suspension, while the second generation of Cerato already has a rear beam. The rear multi-link contributes to stability at high speeds, comfort and safe cornering. The weakest point of the cerate chassis is the stabilizer bushings, which are enough for 30,000 runs, but they change separately from the stabilizers themselves. In general, in Cerate, such details as silent blocks and ball joints are changed separately from the levers, which greatly reduces the cost of repairs. Silent blocks of levers and ball bearings in cerate live 150,000 km, even tie rod ends are enough for 100,000 km. Rear wheel bearings are usually enough for 100,000 km, but here they are only supplied with the hub.
Unlike many other golf-class models, Kia cerate 1 is equipped with disc brakes on all wheels. Already in the base, Cerato is equipped with ABS and EBD (brake force distribution system).
Price
When viewing advertisements for the sale of KIA Cerato 2004 - 2009, the following conclusion can be drawn. You can buy a 2007 Kia Cerato for $10,000. Price Kia Cerato 2009 - $ 12,000 - $ 14,000. There are not many Cerats older than 2007 on the used car market, but they are cheaper, it is quite possible to buy a well-maintained car for $9,000.
KIA Cerato cannot be called an ideal car, but it has very significant advantages. The advantages of cerate include: overall reliability, relative cheapness of repairs and a spacious interior.
Bought a car in 2010. Prior to that, the whole year surfed the Internet and read reviews. In general, like many who want to buy a budget car within 400,000, the choice was the standard Cerato entered the list last, after evaluating it and viewing the ads on the site, I really liked the salon in the photo. And so, we find Cerato, 2007 onwards, 1.6l. 122 HP mileage 66 t.km. Manual transmission, PEP, cond. Appearance, always an amateur, I like it. Good ground clearance. Salon. Comfortable, spacious both in front and behind (height 180, I sit freely behind me), easily soiled (seats), but the materials are of high quality and are well cleaned. Good side mirrors. in short, GOOD. the only native rubber mats, which are not clear, all the dirt is around them, which is not even good with a light coating (not yet replaced). Now I can already hear some noises. The headrest at the passenger seat rattles a little under the ear, the front right door sometimes makes some kind of sound, something creaks at the front window, but at first everything seemed very quiet and nothing creaked. All buttons, heating, work, Air conditioning cools by 5. The stove heats by 5+! Engine. 1.6 l. 122 HP I really liked it, and not only me. Before buying, they rode as expected, not only me, but also comrades who have been selling cars for a living for more than one year, and everyone noted this, a very smart engine. Later it turned out to be even more economical, in winter in the city no more than 10.5 liters, now in summer with air conditioning no more than 9.5 liters, without air conditioning within 8-8.5 liters, 92 gasoline, and the weight of cerate is 1300 kg. Engine + air conditioning dynamics worse but not critical, with manual transmission. On the highway, the consumption is 6.5-6.8 liters up to 120 km / h over 120 km / h up to 7.4 liters. but after 130 the engine starts to make a little noise, I was not extreme but accelerated to 180 km / h and there was still a reserve. There are no complaints about the checkpoint, everything turns on clearly, although in winter at -20 and below it was not so clear, it is excellent for the city. 6th gear is missing on the highway. Suspension. moderately tough, but the rear multi-link independent, makes itself felt excellent management, enters into turns willingly and predictably. Noise isolation is worse than that of a Mercedes, the wheel arches are probably without soundproofing. And now about the main and most interesting - malfunctions: In fairness, I must say that I got not the most well-groomed copy, in technical condition (then it seemed) good, but the previous owner, of course, was not a big fan of cleanliness in the cabin, and a couple of scratches inside and out, but with the use of hands, all this can be brought into proper condition. So, after some time after the purchase, you start to listen, and some kind of creak-squeak bothered me, after visiting the forum, the thought arose that the problem of many had not passed me too - RELEASE, replaced the clutch in short, drove to the last (because finances ...) and as soon as the opportunity arose I ordered a salary, I found a master .... and the next day I left the garage and barely turned on the reverse gear to return to it, in short, the repair cost 4570 - clutch kit, work 4000 (at first, the master said 2000 by eye, but it turned out to be a very time-consuming process, the entire front suspension needs to be disassembled, but I read about it and was ready, well, + synthetic transmission 680). Now everything works, does not creak and turns on clearly. No more problems so far. The choice of spare parts is large and the cost of spare parts practically does not differ from spare parts for the domestic auto industry. There are both original and non-original Korean production. In short, in terms of the cost of maintenance, I think there will be no surprises. But my financial situation has worsened, and no matter how I had to sell it, but I really don’t want 2-3 years old, I would love to ride it. Well, another year has passed. What can I say, she still gave me a surprise and I must say unpleasant. In the fall of 2011, as it should be before winter, it conducts maintenance, oil, filters, front stabilizer struts (when replacing it, it turned out that the previous ones were mixed up in places left and right (there are such masters!), Gum stabilizers front and rear, at the same time, as expected, examined all anthers on grenades and on the steering wheel, everything is OK on the tips! Already in the winter, some kind of click bothered me, then another, I went to the garage to the pit, I examined everything, I didn’t find anything, but after leaving the garage it became clear - Grenade (outer right), and until that day there were no hints, everything happened in one day, from one click to a terrible rattle. I go to the master - he confirms. In the evening I go to the existential find the part, the grenade changes completely with the drive, there are no replacements, the original is from 10,000 to 20,000, 17 and 4 days, respectively, ordered for 10 tr done. In short, after the replacement, I ask the master - "Is the boot torn?" He is "No whole." I think what kind of crap is this, I looked myself, whole, and only in the garage, upon careful examination, a crack was found in the anther no more than 1 cm long. Right next to the collar, in such a place that it is simply impossible to see it if the grenade is not bent to the side to the limit. In the spring I examined the rest more carefully, they seem to be intact, until now I think just to change everything, and not think about them anymore. Like this. But, nevertheless, there are no complaints about the car. In winter, in cold weather, it started up calmly, warmed well. Another unpleasant moment was discovered, in the "hot" season rubber door seals creak, on a rough road. I haven’t decided what to come up with, it’s especially annoying, but not in order. BUT, once again, I note that this car has a spacious, comfortable interior for the driver with more space than in Focus 2 and Lancer, there is also enough space for passengers for a comfortable ride, a frisky engine, and ground clearance for our roads. Another weak point is that the metal is soft and the paint is weak, apparently like the Japanese are environmentally friendly, but these disadvantages are now common to all cars.
