‘Overlooked’ would be how we’d describe Kia Motors in South Africa up until a few years ago. To remedy this perception, or rather lack thereof, the company has made bold moves, including offering an industry leading 5-year/150 000 km warranty on all their vehicles and more recently by offering a fresh range of stylish new models, which began with the Soul, followed by Cerato and a just few weeks ago, the Sorento SUV.

The Cerato was launched towards the end of last year, around the same time that Chevrolet launched their new Cruze. The two new comers go head-to-head in the compact-sedan market and although our purpose here is not to compare the two, you can judge or yourself by taking a look at our test of the 1.6 Chevrolet Cruze.

Interior
Inside, the Cerato’s cabin offers enough space in both the front and the rear. The black cloth covered seats are comfortable, a big improvement over those of the Soul, which lacked lumbar support. It’s easy enough to find a commanding driving position, thanks to a height and reach adjustable steering-wheel. Instrumentation is clearly legible, although we would like a traditional analogue temperature gauge instead of the blue/red lights used. The indicator stalks and other switch gear have a positive feel about them and all work in a logical manner.

The centre stack in the dashboard houses controls for the air conditioning, radio/cd/mp3 player and flows down towards the transmission console, where you’ll find a useful storage tray in front of the gear lever, as well as two cup holders between the handbrake and armrest. A small but valuable accessory offered by Kia is that of a connector to charge and link your iPod to the radio – something other manufacturers should take note of. While we’re on that point, the sound quality of the radio is nothing fantastic and suffers from over eager bass reproduction.

The Cerato’s interior plastics are well screwed together and equally well finished off. The various textures used in the dashboard help to achieve a smart and tasteful look, while a soft metal finish has been applied to the interior door handles, steering wheel centre, door trims, transmission console and the centre stack.

For a small family of four, ample storage space is available and includes two cup holders (front and rear), a dashboard glove box that is 20% larger than before, a sunglasses holder, as well as storage bins in each door. The rear seat backrest is split in a 60/40 configuration and when folded down, increases carrying capacity over the already ample 415-litres. A nice touch is the rubberised floor mat in the boot, which helps to prevent luggage from rolling around, as well as the anti-dazzle rearview mirror – an expensive option on some more expensive cars.

From a safety aspect, the new Cerato features a comprehensive list of features as standard. Passengers can travel safely knowing they have the benefit of ABS, EBD, driver and front passenger airbags, side and full-length curtain airbags, active head restraints and an auto impact door unlock mechanism.

Exterior
By now you would have noticed the Kia Cerato on the road, even if you weren’t sure what it was at first glance. There’s a very good reason for this. In 2006, Kia appointed Peter Schreyer as their head of design. Peter who? Peter Schreyer joined Kia after 25 years with Audi, during which time he penned the classic lines of the Audi TT. But enough with the history lessons, one look at the Cerato and you’re instantly drawn to a family sedan with bold lines and stylish face – something quite uncharacteristic of most passenger cars in our local C-segment.

Front fog lamps, colour coded side mirrors with integrated indicators, chromed door handles to match the front grille, black accents in the rear bumper and 16-inch alloy wheels, round off the 1.6′s suave look. Our test vehicle wore a coat of Kia’s ‘Dark Cherry’ paint and turned more than a few heads during our test period – we were even waved down in a parking lot only to be told “what a nice colour”.

The Drive
According to Kia, the experience you should have behind the wheel of the new Cerato is one of “precise vehicle control and good ‘feel’”, thanks to the car’s speed-sensitive, motor driven, power-assisted steering. However, we feel the manufacturer still has some way to go to achieving this.

The inherent straight line stability of the new Cerato is fine – only the blustery Cape Doctor warranted steering corrections. Despite the all-new coupled torsion beam axle, the Cerato can get a little ‘squirelly’ over a series of bumps, which is not an endearing trait. The rear suspension also seems to be a little too softly sprung, with a full boot of luggage, or heavy compliment of rear passengers resulting in a more wallowy feel. The new rear suspension setup does have its benefits though – a 12 kg weight saving over the previous multi-link setup, as well as a more compact layout resulting in more interior cabin and cargo space.

As you might well have guessed, cornering in the Cerato is a somewhat benign experience, thanks to an artificial and over assisted steering setup. The car always goes where you point it, but with a definite disconnect between the driver and the road. Around town these attributes are not as pronounced, in fact the light steering is welcomed, but on the open road the steering is more functional than sensational.

Performance
The 1.6 Kia Cerato, is powered by, yes you guessed it, a 1,6-litre 16-valve engine, which produces a useful 91 kW at 6 300 rpm. This makes it one of the most powerful engines in its class, on par with Toyota’s 1.6 Auris and Corolla models and second only to the snappy little Renault Twingo RS. The 5-speed gearbox is easy to operate but could do with an extra cog to further improve fuel consumption and reduce noise at cruising speeds. And cruise the Cerato does, with just over 1.2 tonnes to haul around, the gutsy engine pulls well and maintains a comfortable pace with relative ease. Despite not having a 6th gear to lower engine speed (the Cerato maintains close to 3 500 rpm at 120 km/h), the engine returned an admirable fuel consumption of 7.6 l/100km.

What we like…

• New face of Kia breathes a bit of life into the traditionally bland styling of the C-segment.
• Gutsy and economical 1,6-litre engine.
• iPod & Aux-In connections and anti-dazzle rearview mirror as standard.

What we would like…

• Steering feel.
• A more composed rear suspension setup when carting heavier rear passengers and loads.

The fifth generation Subaru Legacy arrived late last year and although touted as a ‘mid-sized sports-sedan’, this base model certainly won’t light any fires. But there is more to the Subaru brand than just WRC (World Rally Championship) thoroughbred race cars, as the new Legacy proves.

Interior
Beginning with the interior, the new Legacy offers a smart and comfortable cabin. Standard equipment includes features such as cruise control and sound system satellite controls on the leather-rimmed steering wheel; electrically operated windows; electrically-adjusted driver’s seat (including electric lumbar adjustment); electrically-adjustable/folding exterior mirrors; synthetic leather upholstery; electrically operated sunroof; electric parking brake and hill-hold assistance; dual-zone climate control with rear vents, and multi-function onboard computer.

Apart from these luxuries, passengers also enjoy an impressive amount of head, shoulder and legroom throughout. Rear legroom has increased by 99 mm, allowing the Legacy to seat three (average-sized) adults in the back without fuss. Incidentally, the seatbelt safety system fitted to the rear seats, which detects whether a passenger is seated or not, did not like it when we simply dropped our passengers off without turning off the engine. Oddly, the system still thought the passengers were in the car without their belts fastened and so beeped profusely as we headed for our next destination. Another function, which we found a bit temperamental, was the volume control located on the steering wheel, which didn’t always respond to our input.

Although much plastic has been used in and around the dashboard, the construction is of a good quality with no creaks or rattles to speak of. A metal look finish (or carbon fibre in the case of Sport models) across the fascia and doors – extending to the rear – adds a stylish touch. Behind the rear seats lies a large 476-litre boot, which can accommodate an extra 47-litres by opening the load-through hatch of the centre arm-rest. Overall, Subaru can be commended on the effort they’ve put into the interior of their new Legacy, which still has some way to go in matching the levels of tactility provided by some of its competitors, but nevertheless offers a pleasing level of refinement.

Exterior
Gone are the rounded edges of the previous generation Legacy, replaced by a far more edgy and chiseled design. The new styling garners mixed opinions from onlookers. The front is characterised by projector-type headlights that reach back toward the A-pillar and bonnet lines that add a muscular demeanour. A deep front air intake, flanked on either side by fog lights, rounds off the face of the Legacy, which could be akin to that of an astute business person – smart and on the money.

The rear three-quarter angle appeals most to us and there’s a hint of Lexus in the tail lights, but the 16-inch wheels of the 2.0i Premium seem a little lost inside the pronounced wheel arches. The Legacy’s overall length and height have both grown by 80 mm, while the car is now 50 mm wider than before. Despite its larger body with harder design angles, the Legacy benefits from improved aerodynamics over those of its forebears, as well as reduced overall weight, thanks to the use of simplified construction in key areas and a bonnet now made from aluminium versus steel.

The Drive
Getting to grips with the new Legacy is easy, thanks to a 3-spoke leather covered steering wheel that adds class to the interior and a positive feel of the new car. What is immediately apparent when setting off in the Legacy 2.0i Premium, is that this car is made for cruising in comfort and not cornering in anger, as many Subaru’s are known for. Having said that, the new Legacy is equipped with larger diameter anti-roll bars and of course, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system that offers sure footed cornering ability in cases where competitors may stumble.

Attention has been given to the refinement of the new Legacy and efforts to reduce mechanical noise include filling the A, B and C pillars with a special foam that expands from the heat generated during the painting process and increased density for the bonnet insulator. Extra sound deadening has also been applied to the transmission tunnel, which masks the sound for models equipped with the new Lineartronic CVT transmission. Subaru claim their new compact double-wishbone rear suspension also results in reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), while McPherson strut-type front suspension is mounted to the engine cradle, improving steering response, handling and overall rigidity. Whereas the steering does not offer any feel per se, it does allow one to accurately point the car in the chosen direction.

The brakes do a good job of bringing the 1 447 kg sedan to a halt, but the electronically operated ‘Hill Holder’ proved a bit quirky. Although Subaru say the hill holder system activates “if the vehicle stops on a gradient with an angle of more than five percent”, it wasn’t consistent and we felt more confident manually activating the electronic parking brake to ensure the car didn’t roll backwards.

On the open road the Legacy offers a comfortable ride quality matched to the cruising speed, but be prepared to flick between 4th or 5th gears if you want to maintain your speed over the hills. In terms of safety, the Legacy offers all the features one would expect from an executive saloon. Boasting a 5-Star Euro NCAP rating the Legacy includes safety equipment such as 8 airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, 3-point seatbelts for all three rear occupants, as well as ISOFIX child seat preparation and traction control.

Performance
As we mentioned, the 2,0-litre, 16-valve boxer engine is no firecracker and offers an adequate 110 kW and 196 N.m of torque. The 6-speed gearbox has longish ratios between 1st and 3rd, and combined with maximum torque being available at 3 000 rpm, means the Legacy can feel lethargic at times. However, once up to speed the engine and gearbox work well together, providing a quiet and comfortable drive. The 6th gear is not one for work, but was instrumental in delivering admirable fuel consumption of 10.0 L/100km in our real-world test conditions. The 9.5 seconds it takes the Legacy 2.0i Premium to reach 100 km/h from standstill, or its 210 km/h top speed, won’t blow anyone’s hair back. However, at the everyday speeds in between, the Legacy does well to carry its passengers in genuine comfort and safety.

What we like…

• A solid premium offering from Subaru.
• Comfortable ride with the safety of Subaru’s AWD make this a great option for the family/executive.

What we would like…

• A hill-hold function that activates when you stop, regardless of incline gradients.
• A more intuitive rear seatbelt warning system.

The all-new Chevrolet Cruze sedan has been launched in South Africa. The car made its first SA appearance at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October last year and we had a sneak peak of the pre-production version in August. Now, finally, we’ve been able to get behind the wheel of the new Chevrolet Cruze to form our first impressions.

In a land of typically drab family four-door sedan’s, the new Cruze offers and edgy alternative. Bold looks defined by semi-flared wheel arches, 17-inch wheels on the range topping LT, large front grille, strong shoulder line and uniquely styled head and tail-lights provide the Cruze with enough design elements to distinguish it from those of its competitors – think Corolla, Focus, Mazda3 and most recently Cerato.

The distinct design of the outside is continued on the inside with a comfortable and well appointed interior. The centre console divides the cockpit in two and flows from the dashboard into the transmission tunnel, incorporating the handbrake and arm rest. The ‘dual cockpit’ experience is also echoed by the door trim, which extends from the dashboard along the driver and passenger doors.

The centre console, with its brushed aluminum look surrounds, houses the controls for the radio/6-disc CD-Changer, climate control and information display – all lit up in an attractive ‘ice white’ blue. The drivers instrumentation cluster is lit up in the same manner and provides all the necessary information one would expect to find, including trip computer and fuel consumption. Good insulation means wind and road noise do not intrude and the quality finish of the interior adds to the refinement.

Interior space is adequate with the cloth seats in the ‘L’ and ‘LS’ models providing good support. The driving position is adjustable both in terms of seat height and position, as well as steering wheel height and reach. Rear passengers receive a shared centre armrest with integrated cup holders, as well as a 12-volt power socket for keeping that Sony PSP, or other essential gadget, charged during long trips. The Cruze is a family oriented sedan and offers a large 530-litres of boot space, enough to comfortably swallow luggage for those school holiday trips.

The Cruze has been launched with the choice of either a 1,6 or 1,8-litre petrol engine producing 83 kW with 153 N.m of torque and 104 kW with 176 N.m respectively. A 2,0-litre turbocharged diesel engine is set to join the current model line-up towards the middle of 2010. Driving the cars through the hills of KwaZulu-Natal, we found ourselves swapping cogs to maintain our pace, however both engines performed as expected for their capacities. Interestingly, both the 1.6 and 1.8-litre models we drove averaged 9.6 l/100km on our 180 km route, although Chevrolet claim 6.7 l/100km for the 1,6-litre and 6.8l/100km for the 1,8-litre petrol engine on the combined cycle.

The ride is comfortable and we never found ourselves having to ‘shuffle’ in our seat during our time with the Cruze. Handling from the new Chev is adequate and carried us through KZN’s twists and turns like a bowl of vanilla ice-cream and hot chocolate sauce through dessert – it’s okay, but it wouldn’t crack a status update on Facebook. Steering input is responsive although somewhat ‘over assisted’ by the power-steering, meaning we occasionally found ourselves turning into a corner tighter than expected.

Overall, our initial impressions of the new Chevrolet Cruze are that of a well put together, well appointed, stylish and value for money addition to the family-sedan market. If you’re looking to cruise in relative style and comfort without breaking the bank, then the Cruze should be on your shortlist.