Kia Philippines recently held a series of drives that were quite out of the ordinary. The only requirement they had aside from a negative COVID test was that participants needed to be proficient in driving a manual transmission and that was because we were going to be truckers for a day.
The day’s agenda had us experience driving the K2500 in the city, on the Expressways in the South, and going up the steep and curvy mountain roads of Barangay Sungay to Tagaytay. As expected, this was easy-peasy for the K2500’s 2.5L CRDi engine with turbo. What was unexpected, though, was what they made us do at the farm.
The venue was an idyllic farm in Tanauan, Batangas, with a fancy setup befitting, well, why not the brand’s light commercial vehicle – the Kia K2500?
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Beside the rows of corn and citrus plants was a dirt course they set out for us to have a go at. Yes, in a truck. While the course for the 2x4s was more of a grassy path, not different from the unpaved roads on the farm, the route for the 4x4s – yes, the K2500 also comes in a 4×4 flavor – was a bit more challenging. The course was a mix of rough terrain, lock-to-lock turns, and tough situations, that were quite extreme for the vehicle type, but also plausible for farm-to-market roads. The product walk-throughs highlighted the features and capabilities that make the K2500 perfect for business, but more importantly, pointed out the thoughtful details of the different body configurations. It’s the details like the rubber stoppers and tie anchors around the bed and the guides on the bars of the dropsides, as well as the less-imposing wheel wells in the enclosed variants, that sets the K2500 apart from its competition.
The K2500 is powered by a 2,497cc intercooled turbocharged engine that produces 130ps of power at 3,800rpm and 255Nm of torque at 1,500-3,500rpm. The diesel power plant is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission that offers improved fuel efficiency and durability as well as smoother great shifts.
The author in a 4×4 Kia K2500 Karga
Driving the K2500
Driving the K2500 isn’t that difficult, even for a middle-aged female. (OUCH!) Of course, there is the obvious extended length of the vehicle and the different angle of the steering wheel, but otherwise, it really didn’t require additional skills. This is partly due to the responsive steering and smooth shifting. Gearing is well spaced and the highest gear is mighty useful. Oh, and the engine was surprisingly quiet for a diesel, so Kia’s reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) claim is well backed.
Due to its design where the cab sits on top of the engine and the front wheels, the driver and front passengers ride pretty high from the ground. While this is good for visibility, it makes for a bumpy ride, especially when void of cargo. Thankfully, the ride stabilizes once it is weighted down with up to 1,635 kg for the Cab & Chassis variant.
The K2500’s driver’s seat is surprisingly comfortable and can be adjusted fore and aft. The units we drove didn’t have radios installed, but thankfully, the AC was more than ample. There were USB ports for charging and lighter plugs for other gadgets. The 4×4 variants come with a center armrest with cupholders for the driver’s convenience.
Among the variants we drove, the 4×4 Double Cab Dropside was the crowd favorite because of the slightly better ride and extra seating. It is easy to imagine it as the gentleman farmer’s ride when the space at the back of a pickup just isn’t enough.
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The Customizable Business Partner
The K2500 is available in the following body configurations to match every need:
- 4×4 Double Cab Dropside – seats a maximum of 6 people while hauling substantial cargo in its rear bed. The body configuration is unique to the K2500. Php 1,080,000
- 4×4 Single Cab Dropside – ideal for those in the farming business, the construction industry, and the like. Easily load cargo at any side to save time and effort when transporting a load. Php 1,010,000
- 4×2 and 4×4 Kargo – a competent cargo mover like the closed van but with the size of a Karga. This allows you to pass through low ceiling clearances, normally in urban areas, that typically closed vans cannot access. Available in 4×2 and 4×4 variants. Php 1,025,000 and Php 1,135,000, respectively
- 4×2 and 4×4 Karga – the ideal people hauler. It is very spacious with its 19-seat capacity and it comes with rear air conditioning to give passengers maximum comfort. Available in 4×2 and 4×4 variants. Php 1,165,000 and Php 1,280,000, respectively
- 4×2 Closed Van – perfect for businesses that regularly need to transport big items or high-volume deliveries like the FMCG industry. Maximize trips and fuel expenses with the K2500’s biggest configuration. Php 920,000
- 4×4 Cab & Chassis – Ideal for businesses that require a specific body configuration. An ambulance or a small dump truck? Whatever it might be, the K2500 Cab & Chassis is built to accommodate your needs. Php 973,000 – Php 978,000
Backed by Reliable After-Sales Services
Kia K2500 comes with a 3-Year/110,000 kms Warranty and a 3-Year free 24/7 Roadside Assistance. It also has a low cost of maintenance to help businesses further minimize spending and maximize profits. And in case of unexpected breakdowns, Kia has a large stock of readily-available parts and a nationwide network of service centers to service its vehicles.
Kia’s capable Light Commercial Vehicle offering should definitely be included when choosing your next business vehicle. With after-sales perks that offer peace of mind plus its other features, it promises to be an ideal business partner.
Read more about Kia Philippines here:
- https://ignition.ph/news/kia-philippines-adopts-new-global-brand-identity-announces-2-new-vehicles
- https://ignition.ph/news/kia-dealer-network-resumes-operations-in-select-locations
- https://ignition.ph/features/to-baler-and-back-with-the-kia-seltos
- https://ignition.ph/news/launched-the-new-kia-stonic-crossover-with-photos-and-brochure