Automotive

Starting the newly engaged life with the Kia EV9

Wedding planning doesn’t have to be impossible with the right (electric) support system.

Published

September 2, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Two months ago, I became the happiest man on the planet.

I proposed to my girlfriend of seven years. For two months, my life has been a dream, both because it all feels so surreal and so… unknown. No matter how much you say to yourself that you’re ready, nothing can truly prepare you for the next chapter. Or even just the transition period before the next chapter, a.k.a. the wedding.

Though we decided to hold our wedding in 2027, our days have already been filled with constant planning: hunting for creative ideas, finding compromises between our eclectic tastes, and stressing out over absurd prices.

When you’re busy planning for the next milestone in your life, the last thing you need is to stress out over everything else besides the wedding. So, when I got the Kia EV9 for a week, I learned to appreciate all the little things and focus on what’s really important.

Testing out new limits

A relationship comes with its fights. When you’re planning for your first major event as a couple, you find new limits and disagreements. Sometimes, you don’t agree on a design or the budget.

Likewise, when you drive a new car, you need to test its limits. The Kia EV9 taught me patience, because the car itself practically has no limits. This beast has 384 horses and 700Nm of torque.

Though I kept within the speed limit, I felt the raw power lurking underneath. Thank goodness I have a lighter foot because even a small tap revs this baby up. Driving it on SLEX was bliss on all four wheels.

But keeping safe within those limits

Easy driving is crucial when you’re starting to plan for a wedding. That’s because everything starts with a good venue. And hunting for a good venue comes with several oculars, often out of town. Besides its power, the Kia EV9 makes long road trips a breeze with its ADAS features.

Our first ocular was a quaint space in Laguna called Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted something like this: a spacious garden-type venue with picturesque views of a lake and a golf course. It felt perfect, based solely on how it looked in photos. But obviously, it was quite a drive from our homes in Quezon City, spanning both the Skyway and SLEX.

Of course, the car has cruise control and blind spot detection. The highlight, however, is its sensitive lane keeping and lane following assists. The EV9 will keep you from changing lanes when it detects another car coming fast from the next lane. It also has forward collision avoidance, which is perfect for those trips on the fast lane.

Both side “mirrors” are just rear-facing cameras with screens mounted inside the vehicle on either side. It takes some getting used to, but they offer great views of traffic beside and behind. Likewise, the rearview mirror is convertible into a screen. If you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, the camera system offers an unobstructed view of the back.

With all of these nifty features, I felt safe for long trips.

A new life in comfort

After our big day in Laguna, we went to a wedding of a mutual friend in the city.

Now, a plethora of safety features is also important for city driving. But what I really want for driving around Metro Manila is an even more impressive array of comfort and convenience features, especially when facing tough traffic conditions.

It’s not an exaggeration when I say that the Kia EV9 is the most luxurious car I’ve ever driven. There are so many creature comforts. The driver’s seat, for example, moves in eight directions, has lumbar support, massage functions, and cooling. Likewise, passenger seats have the same, if not a bit lesser, functionalities. Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, the EV9 makes you feel like you’re travelling in first class.

The entire cabin comes with tri-zone climate control. It doesn’t matter much if you’re travelling with someone who gets cold easily. Personally, I prefer keeping the driver’s area cool, while my fiancée likes it warmer. Of course, I still get too cold, especially when my fingers are dab smack in front of the vents. Thankfully, the steering wheel has heating, so I can keep driving comfortably.

Entertainment is no issue, either. The EV9 comes with fourteen Meridian speakers, a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It also has an abundance of USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad on the center console, and a plug at the back.

All of these were so useful while going through Manila traffic between the church and the reception venue. We also had a lot of time in between, so we decided to just chill in the car for a while. It was like staying in our own little hotel room.

In it for the long haul

Finally, we capped off our short Kia EV9 stint with a date at Café Giya in Angono. A trip to Rizal had us going up and down winding roads. It’s a different beast compared to open freeways and tight streets. Because it’s our third big trip, we started worrying about the range of the Kia EV9.

Actually, we had nothing to worry about. The car has a gargantuan 99.8kWh battery. A full charge can supposedly last over 500 kilometers. Even if this estimate is generous, getting mileage close to this number is already impressive for a full EV. Our short stint wasn’t enough to truly test the battery, but our long trip from Quezon City to Laguna knocked off only 20 percent of the battery.

By the time we went to Rizal, the car didn’t have full range anymore. In fact, we were hovering around 30 percent. At this time, we decided to give the regenerative braking a try. The EV9 has paddles for increasing the intensity of the braking. At full force, it also has i-PEDAL STOP.

The higher levels are usually what you’d expect from regenerative braking. However, at maximum, the i-PEDAL STOP makes it so that you don’t even need to brake anymore. It feels a bit jerky at first, but it’s oddly satisfying to rely purely on the car to brake for you.

Because the car is fully electric, I didn’t have a gas tank to rely on for a full recharge using the braking. Still, using Rizal’s many slopes to recharge helped me keep my dwindling battery alive until I got to a charging station. With 11kW AC charging, it takes almost 10 hours to charge, but only 83 minutes with 50kW DC or 24 minutes with 350kW DC charging.

Range anxiety, begone!

This is how you start a new chapter

This three-leg trip was our first major event as a newly engaged couple. We had disagreements. We had tough spots. But we had fun. We found new ways to love.

The engaged life is fraught with challenges, but it doesn’t have to be an unnavigable nightmare. With the right support and the right mindset, love will always find a way to rise to the top.

Like Pegasus to Hercules, the Kia EV9 was our loyal steed. We pushed the car (and ourselves) to the limit, but it delivered everything we needed.

Accessories

70mai launches the A900 series with 4K front, rear recording

Two new 4K dual-channel dash cams, both with 4G

Published

September 22, 2026

MJ Jucutan

70mai has launched the A900 Series, led by the flagship 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra, with the 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 joining it in the lineup.

Both models record in 4K from the front and rear cameras, and both support 4G, so your footage stays reachable from your phone even when you’re away from the car.

4K recording from both cameras

The A900 Ultra uses dual Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensors to capture clear 4K footage from both directions. As a result, details like license plates and road signs remain sharp.

Smart HDR balances bright and dark areas under shifting light. Users can also adjust color tones and contrast. To keep feeds synced, the rear camera uses LVDS digital transmission. This tech sends a lossless 4K feed with just 20ms of latency.

Handling changing light

Driving into a tunnel or under the shadow of a tall building changes the lighting quickly, and 70mai built three imaging technologies into the A900 Ultra to deal with it.

MaiColor Vivid+ Solution 2.0 is meant to give more natural colors and finer detail, along with smarter scene adaptation. Night Owl Vision 2.0 reduces noise and glare to help with nighttime clarity.

Lumi Vision is made for parking surveillance in near-total darkness, where it automatically adjusts exposure and gain and applies noise reduction. 70mai says this produces clear, full-color footage in extremely low light.

Parking mode and remote access

Smart Parking Guardian Mode 2.0 protects your vehicle while parked. It combines AI motion detection, dual-channel collision detection with pre-recording, and time-lapse options.

The system draws just 5mA on standby to prevent battery drain. For extended coverage, the optional 70mai Battery Pack Mini powers surveillance for up to 30 days.

In photo: A900

Pairing the camera with the 4G Hardwire Kit unlocks 70mai 4G Cloud+ 2.0 features on the app. Enhanced Buffered Emergency Recording saves up to 190 seconds before an incident and 30 seconds after.

It automatically uploads this footage to the cloud for immediate remote viewing.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900

In photo: A900

The A900 sits alongside the Ultra as the more accessible option. It records True 4K HDR at 30FPS from both the front and rear cameras, and Smart HDR can be scheduled to turn on at set times.

Its f/1.55 aperture is meant to help in low light, and 4G Cloud+ 2.0 keeps the dash cam connected to the 70mai App. It’s the model for drivers who want dual-channel recording and 4G connectivity at a lower price.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra retails for US$ 300, available for pre-order at US$ 240. Meanwhile, the A900 is priced at US$ 200, currently 20% off at US$ 170.

Automotive

The Kia EV3 brings gallery-worthy design in a compact electric form

The 2025 World Car of the Year turns daily driving into functional art.

Published

September 22, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The all-new Kia EV3 officially debuted against the architectural backdrop of the Ayala Museum.

Named the 2025 World Car of the Year, the compact electric SUV redefines daily driving as functional art. It also holds prestigious Red Dot “Best of the Best” and iF Design awards.

Sculpted like a modern piece of design

The EV3 shares the forward-thinking design philosophy of the acclaimed EV5 and EV9.

Its exterior features an evolved Digital Tiger Face paired with signature LED lighting. Sculpted geometric surfaces and flush door handles maintain a smooth silhouette.

A tailored rear spoiler, roof rails, and 17-inch alloy wheels complete the profile. The result looks composed and elegant, especially when parked outside a contemporary gallery.

Beneath its sculpted skin lies instant, whisper-quiet electric power. A front-mounted motor generates 204 PS and 283 Nm of torque.

A 58.3 kWh battery delivers up to 511 kilometers of range on a single charge (NEDC). Replenishing energy fits seamlessly into a busy lifestyle.

Standard 11 kW AC charging goes from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes. Meanwhile, 350 kW DC Fast Charging restores the same charge in just 29 minutes.

A digital sanctuary, literally

Inside, the cabin opens into a clean, modern sanctuary.

A striking 30-inch Triple Panoramic Display centers the dashboard. It unifies the instrument cluster, climate settings, and infotainment beneath one sweeping glass surface.

Leather upholstery and an eight-way power driver’s seat prioritize comfort, and the power lumbar support ensures relaxed driving on longer journeys.

There’s also a sliding central console tray that creates an adaptable workspace on the go. On another note, connectivity remains effortless throughout the interior space. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Additionally, dual wireless charging pads, five USB-C ports, and six speakers keep devices powered and entertained. For weekend getaways, 60:40 split-folding rear seats easily expand cargo capacity.

Intuitive safety

Intelligent peace of mind comes standard through the Kia DriveWise suite.

Active features include Advanced Smart Cruise Control and Forward Collision Avoidance with Autonomous Emergency Braking.

Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blindspot Safety Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Safety assist at every turn.

Seven airbags protect the front, side, and curtain areas. Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, parking sensors, and a rear-view camera complete the protective core.

Price, availability

The Kia EV3 starts at PhP 1,898,000, inclusive of a home wall charger. An introductory offer reduces the price to PhP 1,868,000, saving early buyers PhP 30,000. Reservations also include five years of free Preventive Maintenance Service.

Kia provides a five-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty. The high-voltage battery carries an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty.

The EV3 comes in seven curated exterior colors. Options include Aventurine Green, Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black, Terra Cotta, Frost Blue, Shale Grey, and Ivory Silver.

Automotive

Ford revs up Truck Month with extended 5-star care offers

Explore exclusive cash discounts, flexible downpayment plans, and showroom activations in the Philippines.

Published

September 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

Ford Philippines brings back its annual Truck Month this September, pairing special financing and cash savings with extended service coverage across the updated Ranger and Everest lineups.

The month-long program shifts the focus toward long-term ownership peace of mind. This ensures drivers feel supported well beyond the showroom floor.

Comprehensive coverage for every journey

For drivers who view their truck or SUV as an essential partner for travel and daily routines, maintenance clarity brings genuine confidence.

Select variants in the lineup now include Ford’s 5-Star Care Package, bundling a five-year warranty, five-year scheduled service plan, and five-year roadside assistance.

Flagship performance models built for challenging roads, including the Ranger Raptor 3.0L V6, Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0L V6, and Ranger Wildtrak 3.0L V6, pair this complete service coverage with PhP 20,000 in cash savings. On another note, the Raptor 3.0L V6 also offers a PhP 150,000 all-in downpayment option.

Versatile family vehicles receive identical long-term backing, with the Everest Platinum 3.0L V6, Everest Wildtrak 2.0L, Everest Sport+ 2.0L, and Everest Active 2.0L all bundling the five-year care plan. Meanwhile, the Everest Wildtrak 2.0L Turbo includes an additional PhP 20,000 cash discount.

Financing designed around daily routines

Flexibility plays a central role in fitting a vehicle into personal budgets and busy lifestyles.

For the first time, the practical Ranger XLS 4×2 introduces access to the 5-Star Care Package, allowing buyers to select between long-term maintenance coverage, a PhP 50,000 cash discount, or a PhP 49,000 all-in downpayment.

Drivers drawn to the Ranger Sport 4×2 can opt for a PhP 59,000 all-in downpayment or zero percent interest financing. By providing multiple ownership paths, Ford aligns purchase incentive options directly with driver priorities, prioritizing lasting value throughout the lifetime of the vehicle.

Bringing the experience to dealerships and malls

The Truck Month celebration extends further with the Super September event, taking place from September 16 to 20 across nationwide dealerships and key shopping centers.

Customers who reserve any Ford vehicle during this five-day showcase receive an extra PhP 20,000 in cash savings on top of ongoing Truck Month offers.

Display venues including Virra Mall Greenhills, SM Southmall, SM Seaside Cebu, Robinsons Dumaguete, and SM City Sta. Rosa feature interactive showroom activities and refreshments, offering drivers an accessible way to explore their next vehicle companion.