Kia Cerato Koup 1.6 T-GDi (A) Review
16 Jul 2014|31,245 views
Coupes are often highly regarded as the icon of appeal in the motoring world. But being less practical yet costing an arm or a leg at the same time has caused many average Joes to turn away.
But the Koreans arrived at the scene and starting churning out a variety of two-door cars. Relatively more attainable than their European rivals, many of them soon found homes in Singapore.
The new Koup puts on a more rounded overall, which gives it a sleeker and sexier look
Now in its second generation, Kia's funky coupe has evolved. It may look tamer than before but with a turbocharger underneath its hood, it's all but a mere disguise.
Exterior
Sharp, straight-cut edges from its forebearer have been ironed out, with the new car looking more curvaceous than its predecessor.
But the Koreans arrived at the scene and starting churning out a variety of two-door cars. Relatively more attainable than their European rivals, many of them soon found homes in Singapore.
Now in its second generation, Kia's funky coupe has evolved. It may look tamer than before but with a turbocharger underneath its hood, it's all but a mere disguise.
Exterior
Sharp, straight-cut edges from its forebearer have been ironed out, with the new car looking more curvaceous than its predecessor.
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Unsurprisingly, the Koup bears a close resemblance to the Kia Forte K3 - which means it is as good-looking, if not more stylish than its four-door counterpart.
The sweeping front facet carries a sporting finesse, which is augmented by the wide air inlet with flanking, round fog lamps. At the rear are new lamps, which lend the Koup a distinctive signature - especially at night.
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Interior
The Koup shares an identical wheelbase with the K3 sedan, which means it makes do with two less doors without sacrificing cabin space. Space, in fact, is surprisingly one of the Koup's best traits.
Rear seats are comparable to compact hatchbacks like the Toyota Yaris and the Suzuki Swift, adding a healthy dose of practicality to the Koup
Entrance to the rear are manageable, thanks to doors which have been elongated to fit the coupe's proportions. The rear quarters are also spacious enough to fit up to three average-sized adults.
The Koup shares an identical wheelbase with the K3 sedan, which means it makes do with two less doors without sacrificing cabin space. Space, in fact, is surprisingly one of the Koup's best traits.
Entrance to the rear are manageable, thanks to doors which have been elongated to fit the coupe's proportions. The rear quarters are also spacious enough to fit up to three average-sized adults.
Ranging from a ventilated, electric-adjustable driver seat and keyless entry to reverse camera and rear air-con vents like the K3, the Koup sports a comprehensive list of goodies. Impressive to say the least, even more expensive and premium models lack some of these amenities.
While quality of materials used has been upped a notch from the previous Koup, there are still bits and pieces which feel flimsy, such as the selt belt extension guide and wiper stalks. Otherwise, the soft leather sport seats are decent to the touch.
Boot space is a very useful 433 litres - toppling the sedan's 421 litres
While quality of materials used has been upped a notch from the previous Koup, there are still bits and pieces which feel flimsy, such as the selt belt extension guide and wiper stalks. Otherwise, the soft leather sport seats are decent to the touch.
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The Drive
Compared to many other turbocharged engines, which hand you the bulk of the power in a swoosh, the Koup's 1.6-litre force-fed unit feels relatively linear.
1.6-litre four-cylinder unit is turbocharged to provide 201bhp and 265Nm of driving fun
The turbocharger does wonders for the Koup. Compared to its predecessor, the new car feels more energetic and closer to being a real sports car. That said, the Koup is still very much the everyday car, and nothing close to a hardcore screamer by any standard.
It is also apparent that the Koup is more tuned for comfort than a dynamic drive, which makes it less tiring to drive in city traffic and pocketed roads.
Compared to many other turbocharged engines, which hand you the bulk of the power in a swoosh, the Koup's 1.6-litre force-fed unit feels relatively linear.
The turbocharger does wonders for the Koup. Compared to its predecessor, the new car feels more energetic and closer to being a real sports car. That said, the Koup is still very much the everyday car, and nothing close to a hardcore screamer by any standard.
It is also apparent that the Koup is more tuned for comfort than a dynamic drive, which makes it less tiring to drive in city traffic and pocketed roads.
On the downside, cornering hard in the Koup will be a less rewarding experience. The brakes, too, feel mushy and less instinctive at shedding speed and will require some learning to work smoothly.
The Koup has a rather cushy ride, even when fitted with 18-inch wheels that are wrapped in thin rubber
Conclusion
Kia's latest coupe is no less a commendable effort. And now, with added punch, it feels more sports car-ish than before.
At $130,999 (as of 11th July 2014), it offers more style and horsepower-for-buck than its closest rival - the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. And we reckon that for those looking for a cheap-to-run mass market coupe, the Koup is worthy to be on your To-Buy list.
Conclusion
Kia's latest coupe is no less a commendable effort. And now, with added punch, it feels more sports car-ish than before.
At $130,999 (as of 11th July 2014), it offers more style and horsepower-for-buck than its closest rival - the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. And we reckon that for those looking for a cheap-to-run mass market coupe, the Koup is worthy to be on your To-Buy list.
Coupes are often highly regarded as the icon of appeal in the motoring world. But being less practical yet costing an arm or a leg at the same time has caused many average Joes to turn away.
But the Koreans arrived at the scene and starting churning out a variety of two-door cars. Relatively more attainable than their European rivals, many of them soon found homes in Singapore.
Now in its second generation, Kia's funky coupe has evolved. It may look tamer than before but with a turbocharger underneath its hood, it's all but a mere disguise.
Exterior
Sharp, straight-cut edges from its forebearer have been ironed out, with the new car looking more curvaceous than its predecessor.
But the Koreans arrived at the scene and starting churning out a variety of two-door cars. Relatively more attainable than their European rivals, many of them soon found homes in Singapore.
Now in its second generation, Kia's funky coupe has evolved. It may look tamer than before but with a turbocharger underneath its hood, it's all but a mere disguise.
Exterior
Sharp, straight-cut edges from its forebearer have been ironed out, with the new car looking more curvaceous than its predecessor.
Unsurprisingly, the Koup bears a close resemblance to the Kia Forte K3 - which means it is as good-looking, if not more stylish than its four-door counterpart.
The sweeping front facet carries a sporting finesse, which is augmented by the wide air inlet with flanking, round fog lamps. At the rear are new lamps, which lend the Koup a distinctive signature - especially at night.
The sweeping front facet carries a sporting finesse, which is augmented by the wide air inlet with flanking, round fog lamps. At the rear are new lamps, which lend the Koup a distinctive signature - especially at night.
Interior
The Koup shares an identical wheelbase with the K3 sedan, which means it makes do with two less doors without sacrificing cabin space. Space, in fact, is surprisingly one of the Koup's best traits.
Entrance to the rear are manageable, thanks to doors which have been elongated to fit the coupe's proportions. The rear quarters are also spacious enough to fit up to three average-sized adults.
The Koup shares an identical wheelbase with the K3 sedan, which means it makes do with two less doors without sacrificing cabin space. Space, in fact, is surprisingly one of the Koup's best traits.
Entrance to the rear are manageable, thanks to doors which have been elongated to fit the coupe's proportions. The rear quarters are also spacious enough to fit up to three average-sized adults.
Ranging from a ventilated, electric-adjustable driver seat and keyless entry to reverse camera and rear air-con vents like the K3, the Koup sports a comprehensive list of goodies. Impressive to say the least, even more expensive and premium models lack some of these amenities.
While quality of materials used has been upped a notch from the previous Koup, there are still bits and pieces which feel flimsy, such as the selt belt extension guide and wiper stalks. Otherwise, the soft leather sport seats are decent to the touch.
While quality of materials used has been upped a notch from the previous Koup, there are still bits and pieces which feel flimsy, such as the selt belt extension guide and wiper stalks. Otherwise, the soft leather sport seats are decent to the touch.
The Drive
Compared to many other turbocharged engines, which hand you the bulk of the power in a swoosh, the Koup's 1.6-litre force-fed unit feels relatively linear.
The turbocharger does wonders for the Koup. Compared to its predecessor, the new car feels more energetic and closer to being a real sports car. That said, the Koup is still very much the everyday car, and nothing close to a hardcore screamer by any standard.
It is also apparent that the Koup is more tuned for comfort than a dynamic drive, which makes it less tiring to drive in city traffic and pocketed roads.
On the downside, cornering hard in the Koup will be a less rewarding experience. The brakes, too, feel mushy and less instinctive at shedding speed and will require some learning to work smoothly.
Conclusion
Kia's latest coupe is no less a commendable effort. And now, with added punch, it feels more sports car-ish than before.
At $130,999 (as of 11th July 2014), it offers more style and horsepower-for-buck than its closest rival - the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. And we reckon that for those looking for a cheap-to-run mass market coupe, the Koup is worthy to be on your To-Buy list.
Conclusion
Kia's latest coupe is no less a commendable effort. And now, with added punch, it feels more sports car-ish than before.
At $130,999 (as of 11th July 2014), it offers more style and horsepower-for-buck than its closest rival - the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. And we reckon that for those looking for a cheap-to-run mass market coupe, the Koup is worthy to be on your To-Buy list.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Kia Cerato Koup 1.6 T-GDi (A)
CAT B|Petrol|12.7km/L
Horsepower
150kW (201 bhp)
Torque
265 Nm
Acceleration
7.4sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Kia Cerato Koup
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