First car - Cerato MY19 or Impreza MY17

freakingtaco on 15/08/2021 - 12:13

Hi All

First time car buyer and looking for a reliable hatchback with good boot size (for a large dog and couple of luggages) around 25k.

After some research, we have narrowed it down to either the Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S G5 MY17 or Kia Cerato Sport Plus MY19.
These are some of the pros that I've gathered:

Cerato sport+ MY19
Pros

  • 2-3 years warranty and capped price servicing remaining
  • about $150/year cheaper in insurance
  • newer safety tech (not entirely sure)?

Impreza 2.0iS MY17
Pros

  • Better ride comfort/AWD
  • Sunroof though not sure how much we will use it
  • 18" wheels vs 17" (not sure if this makes much of a difference)

Notes

  • Impreza is slightly more fuel efficient but uses 95
  • Both have apple carplay
  • Both have heated leather front seats
  • Both have good enough boot space for us but bigger in the cerato

From my research the Cerato looks like a no brainer, but while my head says Cerato my heart says Impreza… it would be great if any resident car experts can weigh in between the two.

I also saw this thread where the Cerato GT was the more popular choice but OP ended up with a good deal on the Impreza

Poll Options expired

  • 55
    Cerato
  • 24
    Impreza
Automotive Car Kia Subaru

Comments

  • trongy on 15/08/2021 - 12:33

    I have an MY17 Impreza and it runs very well on ULP 91. The manual specifies RON 90 or higher for Australian models.

    Overall I'm very happy with it, but I can't comment on how it compares with the Kia.

    • freakingtaco on 15/08/2021 - 12:46

      I see, must be just a recommendation re fuel.
      I was a bit confused as this review says 95 to meet manufacturer's recommendation but at the top of the page it says 91.
      Good to know you are happy with it though!

      edit: link to review

      • nephilim on 15/08/2021 - 15:54
        -1

        Here is a example of the performance difference between cheaping out between 91 and 95 in a modern turbo car.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxDduCfB3Fk

        • brendanm on 15/08/2021 - 17:47
          +2

          Those are turbo vehicles tuned for higher octane fuel, not a gutless NA Subaru. They get more performance with the fuel they were designed for, as on lower octane fuel, ignition timing is retarded to prevent detonation.

          • pegaxs on 15/08/2021 - 22:50
            +2

            @brendanm: But but but… more octanes = more powahs…

  • Shleepy on 15/08/2021 - 12:34

    Are you sure the Impreza needs 95 octane? We have a MY21 version (same basic version as MY17 I think, but I'm not a car person) and the Australian version runs on 91. Might be worth a check if the added fuel cost is a determiner.

    As well, base MY21 are about $26k. How much cheaper is a 2017?

    • freakingtaco on 15/08/2021 - 12:53

      we did some calculation and the costs between impreza(95) and cerato(91) are very similar due to the impreza being slightly more fuel efficient.
      but i think you are right, the 95 fuel is more of a recommendation.

      For the exact same range (2.0i-s) the new model is about 10k more so unfortunately out of our budget.

      How do you like driving yours?

      • Shleepy on 15/08/2021 - 14:15

        I cannot compare to a Kia, but I've found the Impreza nice to drive. The engine feels zippy, the ride is comfortable, the AWD is fun to drive. I would buy again, put it that way.

        And yes, the i-s 2021 is likely much more expensive, but it might be worth a look and see what sort of features from 2017 have crept into the base 2021 models. You wont get the sunroof or the heated leather seats but it depends how important they are to you.

        As someone below said, get the one that puts a smile on your face.

  • pharkurnell on 15/08/2021 - 12:39
    +3

    they'll call anything a GT these days.. LOL

    • Muzeeb on 15/08/2021 - 12:45
      +2

      16" alloys + rear spoiler = GT Car

      • [Deactivated] on 15/08/2021 - 12:49
        +1

        No, spoiler makes it a GT-R

        • Nugs on 15/08/2021 - 17:44
          +2

          GT-S (-S = -Spolier)
          .

      • pharkurnell on 15/08/2021 - 12:49
        +1

        $5000 of accessories.

        Mudflaps and floor mats

  • Euphemistic on 15/08/2021 - 13:07
    +1

    Buy he one that puts a bigger smile on your face. That smile could be caused by handling, economy or the fact it’s for factory warranty. TBH that’s up to you to choose. Both have good reputation, both fairly new and will have plenty of life left.

  • pharkurnell on 15/08/2021 - 13:12
    +2

    Have you driven either? That regularly gives you answer that doesnt show up on paper

    • freakingtaco on 15/08/2021 - 13:54

      I’ve driven the Cerato, didn’t mind it. Perhaps a little stiff but not knowledgeable about car so can’t really pinpoint what’s the problem.
      Will try to test drive an Impreza when things get better (Sydneysider).

  • holdenmg on 15/08/2021 - 13:29
    +1

    Buy whatever your Dog likes best. Woof!

    • Pelicannn on 16/08/2021 - 11:53
      +1

      Buzz, your girlfriend… woof

  • WreckTangle on 15/08/2021 - 16:10
    +4

    I used to buy cars that were sensible, now i go for what i want…i’m not paying off a car every week that i don’t really want. Get the Imprezza.

  • scatman00 on 15/08/2021 - 16:32
    +2

    MY19 would still have up to 5 years warranty, 7 years from new.

    • SteveB00 on 16/08/2021 - 08:23

      Yes, this is a major difference. All Kias have a 7 year warranty. All Subarus purchased before 1/1/19 had a 3 year warranty (5 years if purchased after 1/1/19) so, in the current scenario, a Cerato with 5 years warranty vs. an Impreza with none.

      • Muzeeb on 16/08/2021 - 09:04
        +2

        But if the previous did not follow the service schedule then the warranties don't mean shit.

        Check the log books.

  • Ozbadge on 16/08/2021 - 00:55

    I sold my subaru impreza 2.0 i premium 2017.
    CVT is a mehh. So sluggish. Although the interior seems premium.
    Now own a cerato gt and never looked back. Fuel efficiency is much better than impreza.

  • Willco88 on 16/08/2021 - 01:17
    +1

    Impreza is the stock daily car not the WRX so no reason or need to run 95 in your stock 2L but of course you can run whatever you like. Personally I prefer the liberty over the Impreza

  • BobD on 16/08/2021 - 07:34

    I have an MY19 Cerato Sport +. Good car but shit cruise control operation compared with other cars I have owned. I have had no problems with it. Firm suspension.

    • freakingtaco on 16/08/2021 - 16:41

      haha the few reviews I read all complained about the cruise control. I think I can live with it.
      I've driven it a few times and the suspension is quite firm, main reason that I'm not considering the GT as apparently it's an even stiffer drive.

      • BobD on 17/08/2021 - 07:34

        Check out the service intervals for the GT.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2021 - 20:40

        All changed with a set of comfortable tyres such as the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 , which are classified as a summer sports tyre but in reality it should be luxury touring due to the overall construction. arguably the best road tyre for the street especially in the wet unless your ripping up and down the street in a v8 or anything jap over 300kw at the wheel then i would opt for something else.

        P.S just as an additional FYI try not to buy tyres with XL (extra load) on them unless absolutely required by your vehicle and model of a tyre you buy , it stiffens up the sidewall and is almost the equivalent of running runflats of the same model tyre.

  • Rev0lt on 16/08/2021 - 08:26

    15 year old Corolla.

  • voiletmay on 16/08/2021 - 08:44
    +2

    Choose the car that gives you joy and an excited feeling when you drive it!!

    Also those are epic choices for a first car!!

    • Euphemistic on 16/08/2021 - 08:55
      +1

      those are epic choices for a first car!

      Epic? Probably not. Decent? Certainly. Good? Probably.

  • Oz8argain on 16/08/2021 - 09:39

    they are both generic economy cars so shouldn't be too different. Also fuel economy mostly depends on how you drive it. If you go to the snow a lot, or have a lot of dirt roads get the subaru.

  • Mark1159 on 16/08/2021 - 11:48
    +1

    Grabbed a MY 18 Cerato hatch and drove from Darwin to Melbourne via Broome and Perth.

    4 years Warranty remaining
    Fixed price servicing
    Close to 40 mpg on trip, 30 mpg around town
    Air cond had to be turned down from max even in the 47 C Pilbara

    Rear washer pump failed in Broome, fixed under warranty.

    Note - it fits a mountain bike in the back WITHOUT removing front wheel. Not sure my mates Landcruiser can - brother’s Ranger can’t.

    Felt solid and reliable on the trip - standing costs are Comp insurance/Rego/annual service $2000 year or 40 week.
    Roadside assist paid by Kia and they were quick when I left the lights on.
    Tyres/pads/batteries can be paid for out of residual savings from $40 week allocation.

    Reliable, modern, safe motoring at $40 week plus fuel. Ok ok, I get the opportunity cost argument on my $15 k outlay.

    Rather attached to it now, trip memories etc. I’ll use it as my city car* until I can return to living SE Asia.

    • handy if I don’t wanna park my Mustang GT at Woolies
    • munecito on 16/08/2021 - 13:54
      +2

      What is this mpg thing?

    • freakingtaco on 16/08/2021 - 16:43

      Thanks for your insight mate, especially with the annual cost. It does sound like a keeper!
      Where in SEA you used to live? I'm from SEA myself and can't wait to be able to visit again, last time I went back was end of 2019.

      • Mark1159 on 16/08/2021 - 20:33

        Vung Tau, Vietnam

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