Back in the mid-2000s, Kia was quickly climbing through the ranks as one of the most promising auto brands in the world – especially in the western hemisphere. One of the primary factors behind this shift was the Korean automaker taking the quality of its cars to the next, more purposeful level. And one of the new entrants in this new world was the compact and affordable Kia Cerato (also known as the Forte in some markets).
Three generations and several facelifts later, Kia launched the third iteration of the Cerato in 2018. Even in the Middle East, the Kia Cerato garnered a solid reputation for itself over the years. Today, we have the all-new 2022 Kia Cerato in the UAE – featuring a few discernible updates and some that are less visible. As earlier, the latest Cerato is also available in both hatchback and sedan forms – the latter has always been more popular, though. However, there’s no denying that the Kia Cerato has been one of the most popular cars in its segment in the UAE.
How different does the all-new Kia Cerato look on the outside when compared to its predecessor?
If I were to keep it really short… Not much. In fact, if you were to view the 2022 and 2021 cars from the side, you’ll not exactly find any crucial differences between the two. However, being honest, the pre-facelift Cerato was already a pretty decent-looking car, so Kia didn’t really have its work cutout for itself with this one. Still, the company has made some changes to keep the all-new model looking “all-new”.
For starters, the 2022 Kia Cerato now comes with a completely new set of LED headlights and taillights – both of which look sharp and up-to-date. Kia has updated the front and rear bumpers so as to make them more sculpted than before, whilst also tweaking the sporty quotient of the front grille. One of the other obvious exterior changes comes from the implementation of the brand’s new logo, which now looks minimalistic yet more impactful than before.
Compared to the previous model, the all-new 2022 Kia Cerato hasn’t changed much when it comes to its external dimensions. It still clocks in 4.64 meters in length, 1.8 meters in overall width, and 1.45 meters in height. At the same time, the wheelbase remains identical as well at 2.7 meters. And with a boot capacity of 502 liters, the 2022 Cerato has one of the most generous cargo bays in its segment. Finally, the all-new model comes with 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels, both of which are finished in Dark Metal Gray.
Is the interior of the all-new 2022 Kia Cerato a decent place to be in?
When you look at where this compact car first came from, the interior of the all-new Cerato will certainly leave you impressed. Kia has done a whole lot to make buyers feel that they’re getting their money’s worth with this one. In fact, that philosophy applies to all of its cars these days. In the case of the 2022 Cerato, its interior looks well-designed, well-built, and suitably well-equipped as well.
Kia has utilized a dual-tone theme for this interior, while also applying some shiny plastic bits to make the design seem even more interesting. The design of the front air-con vents looks pretty cool as well. Meanwhile, everything that you’ll end up using on a daily basis has been positioned within reach – this cabin is also a practical place, with multiple small & large stowage places. The overall build quality and fit-and-finish of the 2022 Cerato is certainly good, with Kia only getting better as time goes by.
On the features front, the all-new Kia Cerato comes with remote engine start, a smart trunk, a power-operated driver’s seat, electrically-controlled & auto-folding door mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, cruise control, a wireless charging pad, an 8-inch touchscreen-infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, paddle shifters, and leather upholstery. In short, the Kia Cerato isn’t lacking in modern features.
Safety and performance
The all-new 2022 Kia Cerato fares decently when it comes to its safety equipment as well. While basics include rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control and dual front airbags, higher trim levels of the Cerato get 6 airbags, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, front & rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, and all-around disc brakes.
In other news, the all-new Kia Cerato comes powered with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine in the UAE. Equipped with multi-point injection and dual overhead cams, this four-popper produces 126hp and 155Nm of maximum torque. The only transmission option with the Cerato is a 6-speed automatic, though there’s a ‘drive mode select’ button in case you want to feel like you’re taking charge of the drivetrain. The run from 0-100 kmph takes around 10.5 seconds, while the top speed is about 190 kmph.
Price of the all-new 2022 Kia Cerato in the UAE
There are multiple trim levels of the all-new Kia Cerato on sale in the UAE, with prices ranging between AED 67,000 and AED 82,000. Of course, Al Majid Motors remains the go-to dealership if you want to buy any brand-new Kia in the UAE. The improvement made to the 2022 Cerato has made it an incrementally better car than its predecessor, while keeping its price at levels that continue to make a lot of sense.
