KIA is on a roll this year with the arrival of its third new model, the Cerato Hatchback, to join the sedan and Koup with not only a new body style but also significant upgrades that will also appear on the rest of the range early in 2011.

These include new six-speed transmissions, local suspension tune and NVH refinements. Kia hopes the Hatchback will open the door to 50 per cent of small-car buyers who will not buy a sedan, and that the transmission and suspension refinements will help to remove the remnants of the cheap and cheerful tag still adhering to the Korean badge.