The K2500 is a commercial vehicle from Korean car brand Kia Motors Philippines. It is built to cater to business requirements such as transporting passengers and moving cargo. In the Philippines, the K2500 is offered with a wide range of variants to choose from. It includes the K2500 4x4 Single Cab and Chassis, K2500 4x4 Single Cab dropside, K2500 Kargo Plus 4x2, K2500 Karga Plus 4x2, K2500 4x4 doube-cab dropside, K2500 Kargo 4x4, and K2500 Karga 4x4.
Launch
The Kia K series has been catering to businesses worldwide since its successful introduction in 1980. In other parts of the world, it is known as the Kia Bongo, Kia Big-Up, the Kia Travello, the Kia Kaon, Forland K1, and Kia Frontier.
The first generation, the Kia Ceres, one of its first models, was made available in the Philippines. This agricultural workhorse was used extensively to carry big loads in urban and rural highways.
The Kia Bongo III was launched locally as the company’s fourth-generation vehicle, renamed the K2700. The model was sold in our market from May 2005 to August 2018. In the same year, Kia Motors Philippines launched the K2500 Karga series.
More recently in 2021, Kia updated the K2500, with its Karga and Kargo variants having a cargo capacity of 1,235 kg.
Exterior
The all-new Kia K2500 was built with performance and utility in mind. It measures 4,825mm long, 1,740mm wide, and 2,105mm tall on a 2,415mm wheelbase.
Its front bears a wide windshield that provides a clear view of the road. The large halogen headlights illuminate the road ahead in low-light conditions, flanking Kia's trademark tiger-nose grille.
The K2500 is offered in either single cab or double cab configurations, with cab and chassis models able to be outfitted according to the customer's requirements. A sturdy dropside bed and closed van options are available for hauling cargo. Meanwhile,the single cab Kargo variant with sliding windows is fitted with padded benches for passenger use, featuring a folding function when cargo storage space is needed.
Supporting the gross weight of 2,980kg for the Single Cab Karga, 2,112kg for the Single Cab 4x4 dropside, and 2,156kg for the Double Cab 4x4 dropside is a set of 15-inch steel wheels.
Interior
The Kia 2500's cockpit area features basic yet necessary features, with an analog instrument panel behind the steering wheel. Power windows are standard on the front, as well as manual air-conditioning vents accompanied by additional ones at the rear for the Karga variant.
Default capacity for the Kia K2500's cab is three passengers, with the Karga variant able to accommodate between 10 and 16 passengers.
Technology & Safety Features
The Kia K2500's dashboard features a blank space where customers can install a 2-DIN audio head unit or even a touchscreen monitor. These can be patched to two speakers which come standard, accompanied by a USB port and AUX IN jack that also come by default. The light commercial vehicle comes with basic safety features, namely a pair of 3-pt. ELR seatbelts for the front. Stopping power comes in the form of front disc and rear drum brakes.
Platform & Chassis
To ensure its durability durting operation, the Kia 2500 uses torsion bar springs in front and multi-leaf springs at the back.
Engine & Drivetrain
The Kia 2500 runs on a 2.5-liter common-rail directinjection diesel engine that produces 128 horsepower and 255 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Single-cab variants are offered with either a rear-wheel or four-wheel drivetrain, while double cab variants come exclusively with four-wheel-drive.