As someone who works in this industry, one of the most common questions I get, aside from the usual "What is your favourite car?", is, "Which car is the best?"
Now, there are many answers to that question, and it obviously depends on who is asking. But the average person will generally ask about a standard 1.6-litre family sedan.
For the past couple of years, my answer to that question would be the Kia Cerato Forte. But I have a confession to make.
You see, I have never actually driven the Cerato Forte before (until this review that is), and I made that recommendation based on the way it has been lauded in the press ever since it was launched.
Personally, I myself was curious to find out how good the car is. So, when the opportunity came to drive the 2011 Cerato Forte, with its six-speed gearbox, I was, to use local parlance, "happy like bird." I couldn't wait to see what this car could do.
Exterior
Despite being a couple of years old, the Cerato Forte still looks as handsome as ever, with its chiselled looks and that aggressive looking front fascia.
Now, there are many answers to that question, and it obviously depends on who is asking. But the average person will generally ask about a standard 1.6-litre family sedan.
For the past couple of years, my answer to that question would be the Kia Cerato Forte. But I have a confession to make.
You see, I have never actually driven the Cerato Forte before (until this review that is), and I made that recommendation based on the way it has been lauded in the press ever since it was launched.
Personally, I myself was curious to find out how good the car is. So, when the opportunity came to drive the 2011 Cerato Forte, with its six-speed gearbox, I was, to use local parlance, "happy like bird." I couldn't wait to see what this car could do.
Exterior
Despite being a couple of years old, the Cerato Forte still looks as handsome as ever, with its chiselled looks and that aggressive looking front fascia.
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However, Kia has also taken the opportunity to spice things up a little, and so the 2011 Cerato Forte sports a few extra styling additions that help to differentiate it from the older models.
Little details such as the indicator strips on the wing mirrors, and the new honeycomb grille, gives the car a fresher look. The most distinctive styling enhancement though, has to be the body kit, which is now standard for 2011 Cerato Fortes.
The body kit consists of lowered front and rear bumpers with black inserts, new side skirts, and a discreet rear boot spoiler. Overall, the addition of the new bits helps give the Cerato Forte an even sportier stance, which may further broaden its appeal to the younger set.
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Interior
The sporty theme continues inside. The round instrument dials with their red backlighting adds a degree of 'fierceness' to the interior, while we also liked the red stitching that can be found on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and door panels.
The centre console is dominated by the built-in stereo system, with simple and intuitive buttons for the controls. There are also switches for the audio and Bluetooth functions situated on the steering wheel, which is pretty neat.
The steering wheel itself is adjustable for both reach and rake, and there is a good amount of equipment throughout, with features such as ESP, an engine start-stop button, paddle shifters for the automatic gearbox and a handy plug-in wire to connect your iPod to the stereo. Little details such as the lights on the sun visors are a cool novelty touch within the cabin.
The leather seats feel firm but not overly hard, further underlying its sporting pretensions. The seats themselves are easy to adjust and get comfortable with.
The sporty theme continues inside. The round instrument dials with their red backlighting adds a degree of 'fierceness' to the interior, while we also liked the red stitching that can be found on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and door panels.
The centre console is dominated by the built-in stereo system, with simple and intuitive buttons for the controls. There are also switches for the audio and Bluetooth functions situated on the steering wheel, which is pretty neat.
The steering wheel itself is adjustable for both reach and rake, and there is a good amount of equipment throughout, with features such as ESP, an engine start-stop button, paddle shifters for the automatic gearbox and a handy plug-in wire to connect your iPod to the stereo. Little details such as the lights on the sun visors are a cool novelty touch within the cabin.
The leather seats feel firm but not overly hard, further underlying its sporting pretensions. The seats themselves are easy to adjust and get comfortable with.
Rear passenger space is decent, with ample legroom for occupants, and the seatback folds down to provide even more luggage capacity.
Boot space is reasonably big, but there is a very visible shape of the spare wheel in the boot floor, which detracts from the quality feel of the car somewhat.
Speaking of quality, the Cerato Forte is generally well-built, with the exception of a few tiny bits that look a bit low-rent, like the boot release switch under the driver's seat, the seat adjusters, and some bits of trim around the door panels. Some of the panel gaps are also a bit uneven.
Another minor bugbear for me is the design of the wing mirrors, which are oddly-shaped and provides for a bit of a blind spot during overtaking manoeuvres.
But those are just small complaints from what is overall a good package.
Boot space is reasonably big, but there is a very visible shape of the spare wheel in the boot floor, which detracts from the quality feel of the car somewhat.
Speaking of quality, the Cerato Forte is generally well-built, with the exception of a few tiny bits that look a bit low-rent, like the boot release switch under the driver's seat, the seat adjusters, and some bits of trim around the door panels. Some of the panel gaps are also a bit uneven.
Another minor bugbear for me is the design of the wing mirrors, which are oddly-shaped and provides for a bit of a blind spot during overtaking manoeuvres.
But those are just small complaints from what is overall a good package.
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The Drive
Now, we come to the main reason for this article: The Cerato Forte's new six-speed gearbox.
It may seem like a minor thing to some, but it's surprising how a simple change of transmission makes all the difference. Six forward gears means that power is now more spread out across the rev range, and the car feels really eager and urgent.
The closely stacked ratios also mean that gearshifts are quick and smooth, which helps with acceleration. The Cerato Forte also comes with paddle shifters for aspiring racers, but I personally recommend just sticking the car in 'D' and enjoying the drive.
As for the actual drive, the Forte asserts itself competently with its lively and responsive steering giving the driver much confidence when cornering. There is also the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which is an uncommon feature in a car of this class.
Although the brake pedal feels a bit soft, the brakes themselves stop the car well with little worry, offering yet even more assurance to the driver.
The only real downside of the Cerato Forte driving experience is that the engine does sound a bit raucous when pushing on, which you would do quite often with the car's willing engine.
The ride too feels a bit jiggly and hard, especially at speed, but it's not completely unbearable to live with actually.
Now, we come to the main reason for this article: The Cerato Forte's new six-speed gearbox.
It may seem like a minor thing to some, but it's surprising how a simple change of transmission makes all the difference. Six forward gears means that power is now more spread out across the rev range, and the car feels really eager and urgent.
The closely stacked ratios also mean that gearshifts are quick and smooth, which helps with acceleration. The Cerato Forte also comes with paddle shifters for aspiring racers, but I personally recommend just sticking the car in 'D' and enjoying the drive.
As for the actual drive, the Forte asserts itself competently with its lively and responsive steering giving the driver much confidence when cornering. There is also the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which is an uncommon feature in a car of this class.
Although the brake pedal feels a bit soft, the brakes themselves stop the car well with little worry, offering yet even more assurance to the driver.
The only real downside of the Cerato Forte driving experience is that the engine does sound a bit raucous when pushing on, which you would do quite often with the car's willing engine.
The ride too feels a bit jiggly and hard, especially at speed, but it's not completely unbearable to live with actually.
Conclusion
Even before I wrote this review, a friend of mine told me that he had ordered a Cerato Forte based on my recommendation (and of course, his own experience test-driving the car).
Having had the chance to drive it myself, I certainly stand by my comments when I say that this would be the 1.6-litre family sedan that I would go for, if given the choice.
In many respects the Cerato Forte outperforms many of its rivals, most notably when it comes to the driving experience, equipment level, as well as value. Some might even say it trumps on looks as well, with its handsome and chiselled design.
The only area where it could be improved on would be general refinement, with engine noise in particular a minor drawback. But aside from that, the Cerato Forte proves hard to beat in the fiercely competitive family car segment.
The all-new six-speed gearbox improves an already formidable package, and puts the Cerato Forte right at the top of its class.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Even before I wrote this review, a friend of mine told me that he had ordered a Cerato Forte based on my recommendation (and of course, his own experience test-driving the car).
Having had the chance to drive it myself, I certainly stand by my comments when I say that this would be the 1.6-litre family sedan that I would go for, if given the choice.
In many respects the Cerato Forte outperforms many of its rivals, most notably when it comes to the driving experience, equipment level, as well as value. Some might even say it trumps on looks as well, with its handsome and chiselled design.
The only area where it could be improved on would be general refinement, with engine noise in particular a minor drawback. But aside from that, the Cerato Forte proves hard to beat in the fiercely competitive family car segment.
The all-new six-speed gearbox improves an already formidable package, and puts the Cerato Forte right at the top of its class.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
