2016 Kia Mohave


Kia recently released the all new Mohave completely redesigned and made to explore. At the heart of the car lies the latest 6 cylinder diesel motor to provide both power and economy.

The 6 cylinder motor deemed is 3.0L in displacement, making it a balanced motor in both power and fuel economy. Designed to handle the daily rigors of life and exploration, Kia updated the motor by making it more environmentally friendly in emissions while retaining the often sought high performance characteristics that diesel motors have.

The details of the motor include 260 horsepower with an estimated 256 ft-lbs of torque. That is an impressive number offering an almost perfect balance between horsepower and torque. Furthermore, this design ranks in the world’s top energy performance and composite fuel economy based on their 2WD model’s district fuel economy standards. Part of this performance may be due to Kia’s gas emission reduction devices. Named SCR, (Selective Catalytic Reduction) the device allows the motor to deliver dynamic performance while meeting the emission standard Euro6. Furthermore, the Mohave has an 8 speed automatic transmission that allows the vehicle to sip fuel during long travels giving it better mileage.


Other side the Mohave can easily transition to off-road conditions and be responsive in areas that require power and torque. Thanks for the 8-speed transmission and low-end torque capabilities of the motor kicking in at 1500 rpms, the Mohave will be ready for any uphill climb making the Kia’s SUV practical for the adventurer in all of us.

The new Mohave is rear independent suspension allowing for better suspension travel during off road excursions as well as better handling in both road and dirt conditions. In addition, Kia tuned their shock absorber suspension for high speed stability and cornering performance. Furthermore, the front suspension has a hydraulic rebound spring that allows city driving experience to be greatly improved. Other comfort improvements come in the form of managing Noise, Vibration, and Harshness, by managing that transmission, wheel stiffness, and road noise to ensure quality and comfort for the high-end SUV.


The Mohave carries with it a modern styling which is both appropriate in urban and rural areas. Fitted with a front and rear skip plate the premium SUV is ready to face the natural obstacles the come with exploring. The SUV is fitted with LED fog lights for better visibility under heavy weather conditions. The front grill gives the SUV sporty look and depth along with a unique logo that we have not seen in the U.S.. Stylish accents surround the car with wheels and side mirrors with a chrome finish reflecting just the right amount of luxury without it being overbearing. Other luxuries include an exclusive Mohave steering wheel, 2 color wood grain trim, and NAPA leather interior.

The Mohave is fitted with an abundance of safety technology with the goal of preventing an accident from ever happening. For example, the Mohave is fitted blind spot assistance which becomes more of a necessity when driving bigger vehicles. Other tech includes forward collision awareness systems that detects other vehicle changes in speed or proximity, and a high beam assist when driving in night time conditions. Kia also brought the fun tech comforts that are to expected in a high-end SUV like the Mohave. The most notable one are camera parking assists which are very helpful when parallel parking, especially in a large vehicle. Smartphone interface systems along with Kia’s UVO system, 8 inch navigation system, dual control A/C system and more.


With all the added amenities, performance upgrades, and safety feature it was safe to assume Kia’s luxury SUV would be relatively expensive. However, Kia offers 3 different options to the Mohave that separate themselves based on the drivetrain. For instance, their most expensive model trim would be full-time 4-wheel drive (all-wheel drive) and would cost 4680 Yuan which is an estimated to be around US$ 71,000 USD. Their middle trim model has 4-wheel drive available and costs around US$ 65,000, while their lower trim model would be only 2-wheel drive at an estimated cost of US$ 61,000. Other trim changes include the choice of natural to Napa leather, and luxury packages but the majority of the cost is in the choice of drivetrain.