When you get an email asking if you would like to test drive a car for two months you say yes. When the said car is the Kia Cerato Koup, you jump up and down. Oh, and don’t forget to respond with a big YES!!!!!
Kia have been manufacturing cars for a while now and while they have some really awesome cars such as the Rio or Sportage, there hasn’t been a car for those wanting something seriously sporty with performance. Luckily Kia decided to use a 1.6l engine in the 2015 Kia Cerato Koup which means the new Koup will certainly turn heads.
Looking at the brand new Cerato Koup, the Koup borrows the design language used in its siblings. One of my favourite parts of the latest Kia range is the front grille. Its narrow grille really gives off the impression that this is one fast car and I must say, it is not just an impression..
At the rear, you get a double exhaust that sits in a carbon fiber body and a set of mean looking rear lights that really grabs your attention.
Sharp lines run from the front to the back adding to the sleek and sporty look of the vehicle. The silver and black flower mags keep the Cerato Koup looking good when parked or when driving!
I drove the 1.6 Turbo GDi Auto which comes with a 6 speed trip-tonic gear box with paddle shift. The 1.6 engine gives out 152 kw of power with 265Nm of torque. Needless to say the 1.6 TGDi engine gives enough power to keep up with cars even in a higher class! I really enjoy cars that have shift paddles and found shifting gears manually helps when you want to take control and get oomph at certain times. The Cerato Koup handles well in the city for commuting, but this is the kind of car that you want to take on the highway and really put your foot on the pedal.
Inside, the Cerato Koup is really spacious with enough space for three adults at the back as well as ample luggage space in the boot. Kia have really made sure that you will have a great time not only driving the vehicle but also driving in it. The dashboard is sporty with carbon fiber finishes and an easy to use media system. The display is used for the radio and is also linked to the rear parking camera, which really helps when you need to squeeze into a tight parking place. There is also parking sensors which gives off beeps to warn when you are getting close to another vehicle or any object. You can sync your phone to receive calls while on the go or even plug in a USB device to play music! This is a feature I expect in all cars. The speakers provide rich tones and deep bass so you are bound to have a great audio experience. But, it is nice to turn the music off and listen to the roar of the engine as well 😉
The leather seats are really comfortable and the front buckets seats ensure that you stay in place. There is ample storage space as well as space for drinks!
Overall I really enjoyed driving the Cerato Koup. This is the first time I am driving a KIA and I am happy to say that the car lived up to my expectations of what a car manufacture like Kia should manufacture. From the sleek front grille, to the comfortable and spacious cabin and the mean looking rear, this is a car that I will definitely keep in mind when I decide to get a new Cape Town Guy vehicle
