HOW exactly does a hungry brand such as Kia stand out in Australia’s bustling small-car crowd, one of the most competitive and crowded of all?

More people buy cars from the small-car segment than any other - approximately 25 per cent of all vehicles sold sit within this bracket, led by the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla - and almost three-quarters of these are hatchbacks.

Good thing Kia now has a new-generation small-hatch competitor of its own, then, and better that it’s one as attractive and well-specified as the Cerato.

It may not have quite the dynamic polish of a Golf or Focus, but as far as well-priced, well-made and well-equipped family second-car runabouts go, it makes an excellent case for itself.

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