KIA Cerato KOUP: Affordable 2-door car in Vietnam

In Vietnam, there are few 2-door cars priced at 840 million VND like the KIA Cerato KOUP. The new car is imported by THACO KIA in complete form.

KIA Cerato KOUP is the 2-door version of the compact sedan K3, which is a "bestseller" in Vietnam. KIA's success in targeting the popular car segment has led the THACO KIA joint venture to decide to expand its product portfolio by bringing in the KIA Cerato KOUP 2014.

Exterior design and equipment

Cerato and K3 (formerly Forte) are the common names of the C-segment sedan line, competitors of Toyota Altis or Honda Civic in the Vietnamese market. While Forte is a version manufactured in Vietnam, Cerato is imported into the country.

Cerato KOUPDeveloped from the sedan version, 4-seat coupe style, targeting young customers who love sporty design with mid-range financial limit. Like K3, Cerato Koup's lines are less neutral, smoother than the previous generation.

With this second generation, the appearance of Cerato KOUP has many distinguishing features from K3, unlike the first generation, both Cerato KOUP and KOUP are similar in appearance.

The front with a large radiator grille divided into two parts, the upper part resembles a small, flat tiger nose while the lower part occupies the entire front bumper space. Two LED daytime running lights create an identifying feature and are also a highlight on the car.

The A-pillar corner removes the small blind spot observation window, the rear lights are redesigned and the rear has an additional rear diffuser to make the car look sportier. The chrome-plated exhaust pipe and the aggressive rear bumper are also among the details emphasized at the rear of the car, the 18-inch wheels further complete the attractive and impressive appearance of the KIA Cerato KOUP.

Interior and amenities

The overall interior is not much different from the previous version, however, it is more refined with a driver-centric design.

KIA has refined the design of some details such as the air conditioning control buttons, air conditioning vents, hazard lights... The small central screen displays multiple information. Unfortunately, the 2 manually adjustable front seats somewhat reduce the comfort of the car.

The rear seats are comfortable with separate air vents and can be accessed with a lever conveniently located in the front seats. In addition, with a larger wheelbase, height, and overall width than the previous generation, the KIA Cerato KOUP has a larger interior space, creating comfort for users.

Engine, transmission system

Under the hood is a 2-liter inline 4-cylinder Nu engine with a maximum capacity of 159 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, maximum torque of 194 Nm at 4,900 rpm. 6-speed automatic transmission, paddle shifters integrated on the steering wheel. Maximum speed according to the manufacturer is about 210 km/h.

Safety equipment

KIA Cerato KOUP is equipped with a number of standard options on the car such as leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated driver's seat ventilation, and electric sunroof.

Safety features include ABS, electronic brake force distribution EBD, electronic balance, hill start assist, vehicle stability control...

The Cerato KOUP 2014 has just been imported by THACO KIA and introduced to the Vietnamese market. The car is in the coupe segment - a segment where its owner always wants to be different. Therefore, the car targets young, dynamic customers.

The appearance of Cerato KOUP 2014 contributes to enriching KIA product line in Vietnam, while positioning an affordable price (840 million VND) for a 2-door car full of personality.

According to VnEconomy