Kia Mohave test drive since 2009 SUV
Through thorns ...
Ten years ago, it was difficult to even assume that the little -known Korean brand Kia, which collected cheap cars on the Mazda platform, would take such a quick step forward and begin to release expensive SUVs with a claim to capture the market. Presentation of Kia Mohave in the space city of Baikonur. At the presentation of Kia Mohave in the space city of Baikonur, among the main competitors of the new SUV, such well -known authorities as Nissan Pathfinder, Mitsubishi Pajero IV, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai IX55 are planned to cut off 1/10 of this part, and it is planned to cut off 1/10 part. One blow! Did the Koreans take too high, did they overestimate their strength at starting to the stars? The answers to many questions were given by a three -day journey along the Baikonurzhezkazgankaragandaastan route, because Kazakh roads have always been famous for the ability to identify weaknesses in the design of any cars. By the way, the fact of holding a journalistic presentation in such strict conditions is very brave.
Considering Kia Mohave through a lupid of a picky skeptic, the eye clings to a number of controversial moments. It is very strange to recognize the decision to combine the incompatible to create a new car according to outdated recipes. Judge for yourself.
Stylistically, Mohave is by no means an SUV, but a crossover, blinded from quotes gleaned from Subaru Trebeca, Chrysler Pacific and Ford Escape, with the addition of seasoning Korean cuisine. It turned out sharply? I would not say the other way around, freshly and faceless. But God with Him, they do not argue about tastes, the main thing came out pretty and without Asian excesses. Yes, but with the appearance of the crossover, Mohave has a frame structure, an independent suspension and a low row in the transmission. It turns out that this is still an SUV! Although on geometry and road clearance you can not say this
The interior makes a similar impression, as a photographer I immediately realized: somewhere I already shot all the top of the central console spilled Volkswagen Touareg, and the non-fixed climate control trigger and completely swing on Porsche Cayenne! Although, given the well -selected materials and a thorough fit of details, such a comparison sounds more like a merit than a cry of a shame on the jungle!.
There are questions to the suspension settings. If the front copes with the potholes not bad, only occasionally allowing the closure to the chips, then the rear is openly lacking energy intensity, the stern is mercilessly swinging, and the breakdown should not be envied for passengers! On expensive versions with the rear pneumatic suspension (!) The situation is better, but this does not change the overall picture. But what exactly is on the teeth of Kia Mohave even highways and rolled primers. Here, the Korean is revealed in all its glory and demonstrates magnificent sound insulation and smoothness. The bets are increasing right away! But in Kazakhstan with a similar chassis not a foot! And even more so at night: the headlights are completely insufficient to scan with a look of the roads of the southern neighbor beaten by life.
Of the obvious advantages of Mohave, a dynamic, painful and at the same time economical three -liter turbodiesel, paired with a friendly automatic machine, good ergonomics, rich equipment, and literally royal spaces for passengers of the second row. Star? Not yet, but star disease is already obvious.
Source: Cars
