Flagship Momma

MANILA, Philippines - Much has been said about the rise of the Korean car brands. In fact, in these very pages, we have time and again harked on their astounding improvements over the course of a mere couple of generations. The continuously growing number of Filipino car buyers who put their trust in the Korean brands only serves as proof of this assessment. In truth, given our experiences behind the wheels of many of the products that the Koreans peddle, we needed no convincing at all. They have indeed arrived.

Trust Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) president and CEO Felix Mabilog to be the most staunch believer in their products – and perhaps their products’ most up-front spokesperson. And trust the man to want to further stress the fact that they have very competitive products. CAC is the official importer and distributor of Kia products in the country, Mabilog the epitome of the brand’s refreshing new “can do” attitude. After a particularly enlightening interview with the man, the automotive industry’s most grizzled veteran insisted that this writer be given time behind the wheel of their most ambitious product to date – the Kia Mohave. As expected, the vehicle – and the man who actually owns it – did not disappoint.

The Kia Mohave, which debuted in 2008 at the North American International Auto Show, is rock star designer Peter Schreyer’s figurative middle finger up the old Kia’s image. Designed and marketed as a luxury sport utility vehicle, it pretty much sets the tone for all other Kia vehicles in the carmaker’s current stable. Up-front and brash, it commands respect on the road. Its 3.0-liter V6 DOHC 24-valve CRDi powerplant and its 6-speed automatic transmission with shiftronic makes sure it’s no slouch on the highways and it has a number of goodies you’d only expect from high-end luxury vehicles like an engine start/stop button with a Smart Key and telescopic steering.

Inside, plush leather on all three rows (the 3rd of which can fold flat in a 50-50 configuration) greets the Mohave’s occupants. As does a decent iPod compatible audio system that spreads music well throughout the cabin, despite having “only” six speakers. I was particularly taken by the deep red interior cabin lighting – a good touch to compliment the Mohave’s sleek black interior shade. The interior’s best feature, however, ought to be the ample leg- and headroom accorded by the vehicle’s rather generous wheelbase (2,895mm). We took the Mohave to a Subic gig – five band members, instruments and baggage to boot – and all felt very comfortable throughout.

As expected, driving dynamics are the kind typical of SUVs this size. Hulking and massive, the Mohave naturally tends to roll when given sudden inputs in steering. Nothing a gentle countersteer can’t handle, of course. Four-wheel discs (ventilated up front and solid in the rear) with ABS, and a Brake Assist System do an admirable job of taming this huge beast. The vehicle’s Electronic Stability Program also helps to drown out drama. All in all, driving and riding the Kia Mohave is a pleasant experience.

As is expected of vehicles that straddle the “luxury” tag, the Kia Mohave is equipped with creature comforts galore. There are steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls. There’s a dual full automatic climate control system with an aircon filter. There are cupholders galore. Short of a kitchen sink, that’s pretty much what one can realistically expect from a vehicle of this size (DVD video capability is strictly for the realm of full sized vans, at least in this writer’s mind).

So…is there anything not to like in this impressive flagship from Kia? The only complaint I’ve heard of, really, is its rather limiting asking price of P3.2 million (It’s my only one too…). But then again, that’s probably part of the Peter Schreyer figurative middle finger I’d already mentioned at the start of this article. Kia has every right to ask for the kind of money that the company feels is worth what customers get with the vehicle. And that, of course, is a matter of personal preference.

The Good

• Imposing stance

• Ample power delivery

• Creature comforts galore

The Bad

• Limiting asking price

The Verdict

• The Kia Mohave is as good a statement car as there is, especially for a brand that’s looking forward the way Kia is.