Kia navigates the highways of sustainable mobility with an electric-powered line-up  

Kia's boundless and innovative journey has paved the way in the auto industry since 1944 and has redefined movement in more ways than one. At the heart of Kia lies the power and passion for mobility that caters to diverse audiences that continue to find not just comfort and quality; it has values that align with theirs.

With its innovative zeal and continued evolution to keep up with the dynamic demands of the times, Kia transcends its standing as a conventional car manufacturer and catapults itself to a mobility brand of cutting-edge products, amenities, and solutions that connect and grow with the user. 

A grid of success: Strengthening Kia’s foundations

In 2020, Kia unfurled its Plan S strategy—a road map to an electrifying ecstasy running on three significant guideposts: shifting to Electric Vehicles (EVs), reinforcing the EV enterprise, and broadening the horizon of future mobility services. Kia's vision to unveil 15 electric vehicle variants by 2027 and target an annual EV sale of 1.6 million units by 2030 echoes its far-reaching aspirations that transcend transportation. 

Kia also rebranded in 2021 with a fresh tagline, “Movement that Inspires." This phrase captures Kia's ambition as an innovator in Sustainable Mobility Solutions—breathing life beyond traditional vehicle production and inspiring people to unravel optimum modes of movement, with innovation and inspiration as fuels.

Charging Asia Pacific’s electrified revolution

A significant milestone in Kia Asia Pacific's calendar was the establishment of Kia Sales (Thailand) last January, intensifying its “Movement that Inspires" story across the Asia Pacific milieu. This daring venture has placed Kia Sales (Thailand) on a high pedestal, continually impressing with its bar-raising performances. 

Its staggering debut at the Bangkok International Motorshow 2024, under the theme “Windows of Inspiration," fascinated Kia’s audiences. It solidified Kia's footing as a pioneer in Asia Pacific, spearheading a path of electric revolution and excitement. 

The highly-anticipated Kia EV5 at the motor show became a defining moment for Kia, propelling it towards its “EVs for Everyone" mission. This bold move aims at championing the electric revolution in the Asia Pacific, making sustainable mobility even more accessible. 

With the iconic compact SUV already creating ripples, the curiosity amplifies what electrifying surprises Kia has tucked up its sleeve. Given that the Asia Pacific is one of the most promising regions for EV expansion, Kia is now in the spotlight for what lies beyond the auto industry.

Meet Kia EV5: Electric mobility speaks a new language

Kia breaks new ground with its first-ever all-electric compact SUV, the Kia EV5, designed with young couples and families in mind. This electrifying marvel merges popular SUV attributes, especially versatility and comfort.

The Kia EV5 is steeped in Kia’s “Bold for Nature” pillar within its “Opposites United” design philosophy, creating a potent combination of a robust body coupled with a soft and emotionally resonant surface. 

 At a glance 

• Variations: Standard, Long-Range, and Long-Range All-Wheel Drive 
• Range: Up to 665km per charge for 88.1kWH battery pack. 
• Battery: 64kWh battery pack and 160kW motor (Standard), 88kWh battery pack and 160kW motor (Long-Range), 88kWh battery pack, 160kW motor on front axle, and 70kW motor on rear axle (Long-Range All-Wheel Drive)  

Technology

Propelling the Kia EV5 is Kia's exclusive Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), drawn from a skateboard chassis incorporating an underfloor battery layout. This forward-thinking framework awards the EV5 enhanced handling and supple maneuverability courtesy of a lower center of gravity. Additionally, it fuses in Kia's quick charging technology, allowing it to power up to 80% in just 38 minutes. This technology guarantees fluid and uninterrupted journeys. 

Interior 

To make family getaways memorable, the Kia EV5 offers smart and practical interior designs for the perfect long drives. A distinctive feature is its full-flat folding second-row seat, coupled with a versatile multi-table luggage board that doubles as a table – an ideal companion for picnic or camping ventures.

Its central console also integrates a dual-function cooler and warmer, extending a temperature spectrum from 5 to 55°C, and a four-liter capacity. This is perfect for chilling beverages or keeping meals warm so that each family outing remains comfortable and enjoyable. 

Infotainment and connectivity

The Kia EV5's Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (CCNC) provides complete assistance for Kia's Over-The-Air (OTA) services, enabling effortless round-the-clock access to the Kia Connect Store. This grants you uninterrupted access to digital upgrades and services, eliminating the need for dealership visits and ensuring you remain connected and always updated with the latest enhancements. 

Safety and convenience 

Equipped with the Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA2), the Kia EV5 goes beyond mere parking line recognition. It autonomously performs an extensive array of parking maneuvers, encompassing parallel, perpendicular, and even slanted parking spaces for your convenience. Adding to its allure, the car can be controlled remotely from outside using buttons on the smart key, delivering an extra layer of ease.

The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) comes with an array of active safety features to safeguard your journey, while the Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) ensures a secure and confident driving experience by maintaining distance from other vehicles and obstructions, centering in lanes, executing lane changes, and optimizing lateral positioning. 

Kia EV9: Solidifying the EV gold standard 

The Kia EV9 is the brand’s first three-row electric SUV. As a game-changer, it emphasizes Kia’s standing in the EV revolution as a pioneer in electrified engineering and sustainability solutions. 

The Kia EV9 is also the first model to be equipped with the three-step Design Sustainability Strategy, Kia’s visionary approach aimed at phasing out leather usage, integrating ten essential sustainable elements in all new Kia models, leveraging bio-based materials like corn, sugar cane, and natural oils, and elevating the usage of recycled plastics by 20% by 2030.

This unwavering dedication to sustainability has garnered immense recognition, as demonstrated by the esteemed accolades of World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle at the 2024 World Car Awards during the New York Auto Show. 

The Kia EV9 continues to amass acclaim, with accolades including the Family Cars category at the Golden Steering Wheel Awards, the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, and the Best Premium SUV at the 2023 Newsweek Autos Awards.

Undoubtedly, these new models serve as solid proof of Kia's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability. As it charges towards the future, we can sit back and relax assured that the future of the auto industry is in good, capable hands—Kia has got it covered. 

For more information on Kia and its EV line-up in the Philippines, head over to Kia’s official website. Keep in mind that specifications may vary in different markets. 

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Editor's note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by The Philippine STAR in collaboration with brands like Kia.