Columbian Autocar Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, released the latest generation of the Kia Sportage last year. While its sophisticated and dynamic style is what draws in the fans, the Sportage is also a capable SUV that enables you to live life to the fullest.
It’s easy to get started with an outdoor adventure with the Sportage. With the myriad of options in and around Manila, a quick getaway is now only a short drive away. Here are some options for potential day trips that will let you maximize the capabilities of the Kia Sportage.
Carry All to Caliraya Lake
The standard Multi Point Injection (MPI) 2.0L gas powered Sportage has plenty power of capacity to carry all the stuff that you will want to bring for a trip to the lake, including water sports equipment and camping gear.
Caliraya Lake in Laguna is a man-made lake three hours that is surrounded by the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti and Kalayaan. It serves as an ideal location for different outdoor activities like camping and water sports. Resorts around the lake offer kayaking, wind-surfing, jet skiing and sport fishing.
The compact SUV’s flexible cargo configuration enables the rear seats to fold down flat in a 60:40 split to give you almost 1,500 liters of space, making sure that you’re prepared for a night or two of outdoor fun.
Revving it to Rizal
The Sportage GT-Line’s turbocharged Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) 2.0L diesel engine surely shine on the uphill drive to Masungi Georeserve. The usual route takes a satisfying and scenic trip along the Marikina-Infanta highway, snaking through the Sierra Madre mountain range, gaining over a thousand meters of elevation along wide roads with sweeping corners.
The reserve offers several outdoor recreation options for visitors to enjoy. A trail that goes through the park features the region’s signature limestone formations, which have been made more accessible for casual outdoor enthusiasts thanks to their unique, web-like walkways.
The roads leading to the venue serve as the perfect showcase the power and excellent handling capabilities of the Sportage. Engaging Sport Mode and rifling through the gears of the six-speed transmission using the paddle-shifters on the twisting and winding roads to Rizal will certainly put a smile on your face.
Luxurious Ride to La Mesa
The La Mesa Watershed may be in nearby Quezon City but that also means dealing with the city traffic. No need to worry about that while you enjoy the cool A/C and the comfortable and spacious interior of the Kia Sportage.
La Mesa Eco Park and Nature Reserve is a little-known refuge in the heart of Quezon City. A bike path running through the park features light off-road sections that make it also open to trail-runners. With picnic areas for relaxing and archery or zipline facilities for the adrenaline junkie, the park has something a Sportage rider could ever want in a day trip.
On the way there, enjoy tunes with the top-notch infotainment system that is paired to steering wheel mounted controls, or let in more of the outdoors from the comfort of the Sportage thanks to its panoramic sunroof. Passengers could even manage to get in their pre-workout stretches thanks to the generous headroom (front/rear – 998.2mm/993.1mm) and legroom (front/rear – 1504.1mm/970.3mm) so they can arrive at the parked loose and ready to go.
It’s a good idea to give these locations a call to inquire about their facilities and reservations. With the abundance of outdoor activities that are popping up in the vicinity of the Metro, it’s easy to find something you’ll enjoy and the Kia Sportage is more than capable to take you there. With its combination of great looks and performance on a variety of terrain, the Sportage inspires confidence every time you get behind the wheel.
