JUST two weeks ago, I was with Kia’s test drive for the KC2500 in a Batangas farm converted into an off-road track by George Ramirez’s team. Back there was a soggy field, half-baked, caking mud with enough moisture underneath to break the grip and ditches designed to keep vehicles stuck in place.
Today, I am at the wheel of the same KC2500 Dropside I was pushing and punishing at the Batangas Farm, a sprawling flatland on the east side of Mount Makiling called General’s Farm. This same truck is now going to into duty as Santa’s sleigh, as I volunteered it to get four balikbayan-sized boxes of food, goodies, old but good clothes (picking the best and discarding the rest, including gowns and barong tagalogs) art materials and other donations, including 4 laptops care of high school buddies packed it in separate boxes.
In the years past the cargo is carried in the back of my wagon (3 boxes) last year a borrowed Isuzu D-Max, 4 boxes but this time with the Kia 4×4, 6 boxes in one go. That not only saves the fuel and toll bills for what was previously two trips or two separate cars. Luckily, the traffic levels aren’t yet back to horrendous as the pandemic has still cut down road traffic to a manageable level. Even when entering Manila though the hurried Skyway construction has made entering Manila from the Taft Ave side a little tedious. Luckily, the exit going to Intramuros via the Skyway Airport Exit is a God-send.
This was to go in the back of the KC2500 Dual Cab Dropside and give credence to the simplicity of the cargo bed in this form–a dropside, as it is described can open on three sides to make loading easier–this is where the K2500 shines. Apart from loading is with ease, the cargo area’s low slung panels made it easier to strap the boxes in place with proper tie-downs and a canvas cover.
The KC2500 is price well starting at P970,000 for a 4×4 cab-and-chassis. The Dropside is just at the P1M mark but there is selection of the passenger type full-box, this one, the dual cab dropside pick up. I remember a time when the cargo beds were classified by these acronymns. DSPU for dropside pick-up and a variant that is not in the Kia line-up but can easily be made, the DSPUWR for dropside pick-up with roof. An aluminum van version is also available but one can imagine that this set up can be made into anything. Reefer van, water carrier, fire truck, light cargo transporter, light vehicle tow truck, motorcycle carrier and emergency rescue vehicle or ambulance.
In the previous article I wrote, it was proven that the K2500 4×4 Dropside pick up can do as much more expensively and trimmed for luxury 4×4 pick-up. It was also proven that despite the highway tires and relatively lower grunt of the 2.5 normally aspirated diesel engine this truck can deliver well on its promises.
A promise for this Christmas, still in the midst of the pandemic, with a year of closures since 2020 is a lot of hope for the kids supported by Caritas in Manila. The collection of good and clothes comes from many places, and many people too humble to be wanted to be mentioned here. But a shout out to the Diner’s Alumni of Canossa College San Pablo City, repacking gifts and goodies for over 100 children, the Sol Hermanos of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong Batch ’81 of which I am part of and countless other patrons from Pitogo in Makati, Parañaque and Lipa City. These donations were put together over a year–not just for this Christmas. And the Kia KC2500 Dropside is here to help bring it to its destination.
There is nothing like the KC2500 Dropside 4×4 in the market not now, and maybe not in the next year or so. This is because Kia, under AC Industrials, and led by its president Manny Aligada chose the road of finding unique niches for its vehicle line-up. One would think that in the commercial vehicle segment, it would be easy to fill with simple vehicles that require no thinking. But clearly, for Kia, a lot of consideration was done to get the 4×4 into a market that may not need it.
“Not so,” says Manny. “We studied the market and there is a need for such a vehicle especially in the provinces. Pick-ups have become the norm but these are also substantially more expensive when purchased and when operated. So we think we found market with a need for this vehicle. We’ve identified the agricultural and utilities sectors as big markets for it.”
How about Santa’s delivery service? I should ask Mr. Aligada that.
The Kia President said that he wants the brand to be there, as the economy is reopening in the cargo and delivery business and more so in the agri-business markets that will start to re-expand. The whole Kia commercial vehicle line-up will be suitable for such operations. Fleets will start replacing vehicles and the realization of the need for a more durable, multi-terrain vehicle like a 4×4 will be known.
Like I mentioned in my December 7 article, the 4×4 reminds me of the Kia Ceres of my youth. Except that this one is more refined with an independent axle upfront instead of a solid differential with leaf springs. The really high 200 mm ground clearance will keep anyone safe and dry from the normal Manila floods. That height is even made more pronounced by the wide doors and the nicely placed foot lifts on the front end. Getting into the rear side require heftier pulls into the vehicle.
Now, as the whole cab sits on top of the engine, the visuals outside the truck are very high. The middle rear legroom in the rear seats is restricted by the engine cover. However, the space right behind the front seats is enough for utility workers with safety boots, and farmers with implements and rubber boots. Besides the low height of the rear cargo area means they can jam their equipment there with no trouble.
Same for loading in the boxes and strapping them down.
The trip to Manila from Laguna with the boxes in the dropside area was easy–and a bit bouncy. But one can’t avoid that. There are Japanese pick-ups bouncier than this and claim to be luxury vehicles. The KC2500 4×4 claims nothing of the sort. As reported earlier it doesn’t even have a proper radio–but does have as standard, proper airconditioner with top vents that can cool the rear of the large and spacious cabin with ease.
At the General’s Farm test track the KC2500 is rated as excellent. In this week-long test drive over just before the Christmas vacation, I rate it as impressive with the performance level of a pick-up but the awesomeness of a tall truck. The verdict is that yes, the KC2500 can replace Santa’s sleigh for today much to the delight of the children at Caritas in Intramuros.
December 12 is my 31st wedding anniversary–a fitting day to deliver to our favorite charity without much fanfare. Thank you to Kia Philippines big man Manny Aligada, and PR lead Catsy Manahan for the Kia Dropside 4×4 test unit for this Christmas weekend. Next year let’s do the passenger van and get the kids caroling too (pandemic restrictions apply).
