Under its new distributor AC Industrials, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, Kia unboxed the first of three all-new vehicles slated to hit the Philippine market in 2019. The Kia Soluto—a sub-compact sedan exported from Kia’s joint-venture with Dongfeng will see battle in the sub-B-segment category with a starting price of just P 625,000.
Known as the Pegas in China, the Philippines is the first export market for Kia’s manufacturing operations in Mainland China. Thanks to favorable import duties and taxes, the Soluto offers an array of value-for-money features that ultimately lives up to Kia’s tagline of “The Power to Surprise.”
Based off the previous Rio (Kia PB platform), the Soluto offers a surprisingly large footprint with a wheelbase stretched to 2,570 millimeters. This makes it roomier, more comfortable, and better handling than all others in the sub-B segment category. It should also offer zippy performance thanks to a 1.4-liter Dual CVVT gasoline engine making 95 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. This is mated to either a 5-speed MT or 4-speed AT.
Aside from power and comfort, safety doesn’t take a backseat. It features dual SRS airbags and ABS with EBD as standard equipment across the line-up. Plus, techies will appreciate features that include a 7-inch touchscreen audio system with Android Auto and CarPlay, a 6-speaker sound system, rear parking camera, and steering wheel mounted controls. The top-of-the-line EX variant adds rear parking sensors and leatherette seats.
The 2019 Soluto is available in 5 colors: Clear White, Titanium Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Blue Stream, and Marcato Red (EX only) and in two trim levels: LX and EX. The 1.4 LX M/T is pegged at P 625,000; 1.4 LX A/T at P 675,000; 1.4 EX M/T at 685,000; and 1.4 EX A/T at 735,000. The Soluto also comes with Kia’s outstanding 5-year, 160,000-kilometer warranty as standard.
The public can get to see the Soluto for the first time up close from January 31, 2019 to February 3, 2019 during mall displays at the following venues: Activity Center of Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; Level 4 Cinema Lobby of Trinoma in Quezon City, and; Activity Center of Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City. Other models in Kia Philippines’s product roster will also be on display.
The Soluto is the first of three all-new models that Kia Philippines will showcase this year. The second “unboxing” will happen at the Manila International Auto Show from April 4-7, 2019 while the last one is slated in the fourth quarter of the year.
2019 Kia Soluto Specifications (EX in parenthesis)
- Overall Length: 4,300 mm
- Overall Width: 1,700 mm
- Overall Height: 1,460 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,570 mm
- Minimum Ground Clearance: 150 mm
- Minimum Turning Radius: 5.2 meters
- Fuel Tank: 43 liters
- Curb Weight: 1,036 (LX M/T), 1,066 (LX A/T), 1,036 (EX M/T), 1,066 (EX A/T)
- Co-efficient of Drag: 0.29
- Engine: 1.4-liter 4-cylinder Dual CVVT
- Maximum Output: 95 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
- Maximum Torque: 132 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed MT / 4-speed AT
- Steering: Motor Driven Power Steering
- Front Brakes: 14-inch Vented Disc
- Rear Brakes: 8-inch Drum
- Front Suspension: Independent MacPherson Strut, H-type sub-frame
- Rear Suspension: V-Beam Coupled Torsion Beam Axle
- Wheel Type: 14-inch Steel with Cap (14-inch Alloy)
- Tire Size: 170/70 R 14
- Headlamps: Halogen
- Front Fog Lamps: None (Front)
- Front and Rear Bumpers: Body-Color
- Exterior Rear View Mirrors: Body-Color with Power Adjust
- Turn Signal Indicators: Fender-Mounted (Outside Mirror-Mounted)
- Antenna: Short Pole
- Radiator Grille: Body Color (Chrome)
- Rear Window Defogger: Standard
- High-Mount Stop Lamp: Standard
- Rear Fog Lamp: Standard
2019 Kia Soluto Interior Features:
- Instrument Panel: Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel Gauge, Trip Meter
- Driver/Passenger Sun Visors: with Passenger Side Vanity Mirror
- Interior Rear View Mirror: Day & Night
- Overhead Console Lamp: Standard
- Dashboard Trim: Chrome
- Interior Door Handles: Silver
- Steering Wheel: 3-spoke Urethane (3-spoke Leather)
- Steering Adjust: Manual Tilt
- Steering Wheel Controls: Standard
- Gear Shift Knob: Urethane (EX A/T: Leather)
- Power Windows: Standard
- Power Door Locks: Standard
- Keyless Entry Standard
- Power Outlet: At Console
- Cupholders: 2 at Center Console
- Bottle Holders: 4 at Doors
- Seats: Cloth (Leatherette)
- Front Seat Adjust: 4-Way Driver, 4-Way Passenger (6-Way Driver, 4-Way Driver)
- Front Seat Armrest: Standard
- Rear Seats: Fixed Bench for 3 Passengers
- Luggage Compartment Lamp: Standard
- Luggage Capacity: 475 Liters
- Infotainment System: 7-inch Touchscreen with AM/FM, MP3 with USB and Aux-In
- Apple CarPlay: Standard
- Android Auto: Standard
- Speakers: 6
- Rear Parking Camera: with Static Guidelines
- Parking Sensors: None (Rear)
- Front Airbags: Dual SRS
- ABS with EBD: Standard
- Anti-Theft System: None (Immobilizer)
- Front Seatbelt: 3-pt ELR with Pretensioner and Load Limiter x 2
- Rear Seatbelt: 3-pt ELR x 2, 2-pt x 1
- Child Anchor: Upper and Lower
- Child Locks: Rear Doors
Rio's sales will be cannibalized since it is 300k cheaper than the Korean-made Rio. Equipment seems to be an upgrade compared to the Rio.
ReplyDeleteNot bad at all. For 625k you'll get Apple car play, 2 air bags, ABS/EBD, keyless entry, halogen lamps and a rear parking camera. You get a bigger luggage capacity than Vios too. Great year to buy a new car regardless of the brand.
ReplyDeleteButi pa to may rear cam, 1.7m Fortuner wala.
ReplyDeleteStandard ba ang seat height adjustment or sa higher variants lang?
ReplyDeleteSeat height adjustment is only standard on the EX variant. The LX doesn't have seat height adjustment.
DeleteBetter specced than the Rio. More choices for consumers.
ReplyDeleteNICE CAR!!!!!!!!!! NICE MOVE FROM KIA...FEATURE LOADED CAR!!!!!! GOOD JOB!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood news is that there will be another choice for a more affordable subcompact car aside from the dominant ugly looking Vios.
ReplyDeleteWOW 14" brakes!
ReplyDeleteGood car
ReplyDelete