The 150kW Kia Cerato GT in Sedan and Hatch form has arrived in Australia priced at $31,990 driveaway.

The Kia Cerato GT has arrived in Australia with a set-up the mimics its Hyundai sibling the Elantra SR. The Cerato GT can be had in Sedan and Hatch form and sees the thing run a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm of torque from 1500-4500rpm. The Cerato GT is standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In making the announcement, Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said, “Australian drivers are like few others in the world. They know what they like … and what they like is that rare combination of style, value and performance which doesn’t come along all that often.

“With the Cerato GT they have one additional opportunity to find what they are searching for – and this time it is wearing a badge which comes with proven value and reliability.”

The Cerato GT is well-specced with standard Autonomous Emergency Braking (Pedestrian and Cyclist), Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, reversing camera with dynamic lines, front and rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, Drive Mode Select, six airbags, tyre pressure monitor, speed limiter, eight-way driver seat adjustment with two memory positions, smart cruise control, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, Apple and Android connectivity with voice control, wireless phone charging, 8-speaker JBL Premium sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, climate control air-conditioning and ventilated front sport seats.

The GT stands out from the rest of the range with a body kit and dual exhausts, paddle shifts, alloy pedals and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Like all Kia cars sold in Australia, the Cerato GT copped local ride and handling tuning. “It was quite a balancing act to optimize the sporty possibilities of the GT’s platform and still make it a car the owner would be happy with in day-to-day activities,” explained KMAu’s General Manager for Product, Roland Rivero.

“In the end, I believe the team has reached a platform which provides confidence-inspiring grip and balance when the opportunity arises to push the GT along, yet doesn’t disappoint in its domestic duties.”

The colour palette for the GT is Clear White (standard) with an extensive range of premium colours ($520): Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Steel Grey, Platinum Graphite, Horizon Blue, Gravity Blue, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Red and the Sunset Orange (exclusive to GT).

Practical Motoring will have a full road test of the Cerato GT in the coming weeks.