AGAINST a beautiful backdrop in El Nido, the Carens, the Sportage, the Soul, the Sorento and the Rio take part in a “beauty contest.”
The road to paradise is, unlike the road to that other place, paved with more than just good intentions. That’s the impression we got when we joined Kia’s En Route to Paradise ride and drive event. Paradise is in this case defined as the decidedly heavenly waters and dramatic islands of El Nido. The drive is a 235-kilometer journey along twisty, steeply sloping roads that afford a good view of Palawan’s mountainous terrain that plunge into crystal clear seas.
Our rides were five Kia vehicles, each with a different personality suited to specific sections of the route. Common to this new generation of Kias are: attractive styling, generous features and adequate powertrains. The attractive styling is the calling card of Kia president Peter Schreyer, a German designer famous for doing the iconic Volkswagen-group cars including the Audi TT. For Kia, Schreyer developed the trademark “tiger grille” for the brand. The sleek designs go well beyond the grille, as the new generation cars have a modern, well-planted stance.
Our journey began in the Sorento, Kia’s midsize SUV. With three rows of seats, the Sorento comfortably fits seven. As we were only three in the vehicle, that left 515 liters with the third
A LOBSTER feast at Ipil island
row folded. The Sorento is powered by a 2.2-liter common-rail turbodiesel with 195 horsepower and 436 Newton-meters of torque. That torque made quick work of the sharp slopes along the route.
Sole passenger car
The Rio is the sole passenger car in the group. Although it understandably had to take the unpaved portions at a slower pace, the hatchback in return provided good handling in the switchbacks. The cockpit wouldn’t look out of place in a mid-level German car, with a clear, logical layout. Red lighting on the instrument panel and multi-information display reinforces the Teutonic feel. The Rio comes with automatic headlamps and rain sensors, which proved useful when the Palawan squalls dumped torrential rains on our route. The 1.4-liter gasoline engine outputs 106 HP and 137 Nm, paired with a four-speed automatic. High levels of grip were provided by the 45-series 17-inch tires.
Looking more like a passenger hatchback but with the space of a multipurpose van, the compact Carens seats seven. Carens is powered by a 1.7-liter turbodiesel mated to a six-speed automatic. The minivan’s available features include panoramic sunroof and self-steering parallel parking.
Our personal favorite was the Sportage. With its chunky-looking D-pillar and angular body panels, the compact SUV looks distinctive. It’s powered by a 2-liter diesel mated to a six-speed automatic. With a meaty 175 HP and 392 Nm on tap, the Sportage lives up to its name.
THE ENTOURAGE takes a rest at the Taytay ruins.
The newest vehicle in the lineup, the boxy Soul is billed as an urban vehicle but acquitted itself well on the unpaved sections. The second generation of this vehicle boasts more refined styling and larger interior. This time, the Soul uses a 1.6-liter diesel engine with 127 HP and 260 Nm.
The five Kia vehicles were welcome companions on the tight, challenging drive up to the north of Palawan, and an excellent showcase for the company’s new vehicle technology and styling prowess.
Photos by Walter Villa
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