The Cerato currently tops the brands sales list and, while the Sportage is closing in, the South Korean car-maker has its sights set on passing the Holden Cruze for a spot in the top five small car title fight.

A free-auto and drive-away price strategy remains part of the Cerato's marketing strategy, as does a price still just sliding in under $19,990 - the S in manual guise is joined for now by the S with a free auto transmission, which makes up nearly two thirds of Cerato sales.

Pricing keeps the Kia competitive against the segment-leading Toyota Corolla Ascent for $19,790 and below the second-placed Mazda3, which sits just the other side of $20,000.

The brand's target is beating the sales of the Cruze but Kia management is conservative when talk turns to the fourth-placed Volkswagen Golf - it benefits from the GTI halo, something that's unlikely to assist the Cerato until the next-generation model arrives with independent rear suspension.

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