Kia Cerato

Kia Cerato
Overview
Manufacturer	Kia
Also called	Kia Forte/K3 (2009–2024)
Production	2003–2024
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car (C-segment)
Body style	5-door hatchback 4-door sedan/saloon
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Kia Sephia
Successor	Kia K4

The Kia Cerato (also known as the Kia Forte in North America, K3 in South Korea or the Forte K3 or Shuma in China) is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 2003. In 2008, the Cerato nameplate was replaced by the Forte nameplate in the North American market and the K3 nameplate in South Korea. However, the "Cerato" name remains in use in markets such as Australasia, Middle East and Latin America. It is available in five-door hatchback, two-door coupe and four-door sedan variants. It is not available in Europe, where the similar sized Kia Ceed is offered (except for Russia and Ukraine, where the Ceed and the Cerato are both available).

In some markets, such as North America, the Cerato is marketed as the Kia Forte replacing the Spectra nameplate of previous generations. In Colombia and Singapore, the name Cerato Forte was used for the second generation,^[1] while Naza Automotive Manufacturing of Malaysia has assembled the vehicle since 2009, selling it there under the name Naza Forte.^[2]

First generation (LD)
Kia Cerato sedan (China)
Overview
Also called	Kia Sephia (Latin America) Kia Spectra (North and Latin America, Malaysia) Horki 300EV (China)
Production	2003–2008 2004–2020 (China)[3]
Model years	2004–2009
Assembly	South Korea: Hwaseong (Hwaseong Plant) China: Yancheng (Yancheng Plant) (DYK) Malaysia: Gurun (NAM)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door hatchback
Platform	Hyundai-Kia J3 platform
Related	Kia Carens
Powertrain
Engine	gasoline: 1.6 L Alpha II I4 1.8 L Beta II I4 (China) 2.0 L Beta II I4 diesel: 1.5 L U I4 1.6 L U I4 2.0 L D I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (102.8 in)
Length	2003–06 sedan: 4,480 mm (176.4 in) 2006–08 sedans: 4,500 mm (177.2 in) 2003–06 hatchback: 4,341 mm (170.9 in) 2006–09 hatchback: 4,350 mm (171.3 in)
Width	1,735 mm (68.3 in)
Height	1,470 mm (57.9 in)
Chronology
Successor	Kia Ceed (hatchback)

The Kia Cerato was introduced in South Korea in 2003, sharing a platform with the Hyundai Elantra (XD) and using Hyundai's Beta II (G4GC) (CVVT-enabled) four-cylinder engine. It replaced the Sephia/Mentor sedan and Shuma hatchback.

In North America, the "Spectra" name was used when introduced for the 2004 model year, with "Spectra5" designating the hatchback. For Latin American markets, the Cerato was still named Sephia until 2005, when it was discontinued in favor of the name Spectra. In Europe, the Cerato was replaced by the Kia Cee'd.

For the Malaysian market, the first generation Spectra was launched in Malaysia on August 15, 2007 as the "Spectra5" available only with one trim level and with the hatchback bodystyle powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC CVVT engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.^[4]

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  2005 Kia Cerato SE saloon (UK)
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  2004–2006 Kia Spectra5 hatchback (US)
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  2004–2006 Kia Spectra5 SX hatchback (US)

In 2006, a facelift version was introduced, including revised Gamma engines. Stylistically, the bumper and headlamps lost their pronounced crease near the grille area, the trunk lid became more rounded, and the tail lights were reshaped.

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  2007-09 Kia Spectra EX sedan (US)
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  2007-09 Kia Spectra EX sedan (US)
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  2008 Kia Cerato sedan (China)
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  2008 Kia Cerato hatchback (Europe)
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  2008 Kia Cerato hatchback (Europe)
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  2007 Kia Spectra5 hatchback (US)

At the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Cerato Green Concept was presented, featuring Kia's new 2.0-liter CRDi diesel engine and showcasing the first Kia passenger car to be diesel-powered.^[5][6]

The Kia Cerato R is the extensive facelift of the Kia Cerato to extend sales within the Chinese market, while the second generation Kia Cerato was sold as the Kia Forte in China at the same time. The design was significantly updated to be in line with other newer Kia products. The Horki 300EV is a compact electric sedan with the design being essentially a rebadged version of the Kia Cerato R from the Chinese market, it was unveiled on the 2016 Auto Guangzhou. The platform is the same as the first generation Kia Cerato, which is still in production in China as the Cerato R.^[7][8]

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  Kia Cerato R taxi (CN)
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  Kia Cerato R taxi (CN)
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  Horki 300E (CN)

The second generation Kia Cerato was launched in South Korea in late 2008 under the Kia Forte name – a name that was used in most international markets. The "Cerato" name has been retained in some markets, such as Australia, Middle East, South Africa and Brazil. In Singapore, the second generation model is badged "Kia Cerato Forte".^[9]

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  2012 Kia Cerato SX
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  Kia Cerato TD hatchback (Australia)

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  Kia Cerato Sedan (Europe)
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  Kia Cerato Sedan (Europe)

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  2011 Kia Cerato "Koup" (Chile)
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  Kia Cerato "Koup" rear

Kia released images of the third generation Cerato for the 2014 model year in late July 2012, when the company revealed its Korean-market counterpart, Kia K3.^[10] The car is completely redesigned with a lower, wider, and longer stance.

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  2014 Kia Cerato (Australia)
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  Kia Cerato Si hatchback
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  2014 Kia Cerato SX with upgraded trim and lights

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  2015 Kia Cerato SX sedan (Malaysia)
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  Kia Cerato S
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  2015 Kia Cerato SLi sedan with upgraded trim and lights

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  Kia Cerato Koup SX
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  Kia Cerato Koup SX (rear)

The fourth generation Cerato was unveiled as the Forte on January 15, 2018 at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Entering its third generation, the new car takes styling cues from the Stinger, and adopts a cab rearward exterior, resulting in a fastback profile and a short trunklid. The car is constructed with 54% advanced high-strength steel that is stronger than the outgoing model.

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  Kia Cerato EX sedan
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  Kia Cerato EX hatchback
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  Kia Cerato EX sedan

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