Auto Review: 2009 Kia Borrego

By CHRIS REED, UPP Contributor—
The all-new Kia Borrego midsize SUV is worthy of serious consideration for those seeking a capable family hauler. Introduced for 2009, the Borrego came as a surprise to the automotive market. Kia is known to offer a high-value line of cars, vans, and small SUVs. Few foresaw a larger, truck-like, midsize SUV coming from the Korean automaker.
In a nutshell the Borrego offers size, safety, style, seating for seven, and truck-like capability. Some may yawn at the idea of another midsize SUV, but take note; the Borrego’s body-on-frame platform makes it unique to much of its competition.
The Borrego differs from crossover SUVs, such as the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander, in several ways. Crossover SUVs only offer four and six-cylinder motors, but the Borrego offers a V8 for those who desire the additional power. Crossover SUVs are primarily front-wheel-drive with power optionally routed to the rear for all-wheel-drive. The Borrego is primarily rear-wheel-drive, with power routed to the front wheels in the traditional four-wheel-drive setup. This configuration tends to be sturdier when doing truck-ish stuff like serious off-roading or towing. That’s why the Borrego comes standard with underbody skid plates.
Doug Smith Kia in American Fork was kind enough to provide a silver Borrego EX V6 4WD for the purpose of evaluation.
Seating
The front buckets are comfortable with a wide range of movement. The second row is particularly comfortable because it’s wide, it adjusts forward and backward, and the seat backs recline. The second row folds almost flat if desired. Buckled into the second row with the seat back reclined and warm air blowing on me through the vents in the center console, I felt I could take a long trip quite comfortably. My five-foot-seven frame also fit nicely in the third row, although the seat cushions back there are low to the floor – more comfortable for younger passengers with shorter legs. Third row access is easy enough with the common fold-and-slide-forward second row configuration. The third row folds flat into the floor. There are two cup holders for each row of seats – front, middle, and back.
Cargo
Cargo space behind the third row of seats is limited – as is the case with all midsize SUVs that offer third-row seating. However, if only one rear seat is in use, the other can be folded flat for additional volume. Roof rails are standard.
The Borrego is capable of serious towing – 5000 lbs with the V6 and 7500 lbs with the V8. Don’t worry about paying extra for the tow package, it comes standard.
Comfort
In true Kia fashion, the Borrego comes standard with a host of amenities including but not limited to: air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, tinted windows, power-adjustable mirrors, and an AM/FM/CD/MP3/SIRIUS audio system with USB/auxiliary input jacks. The base stereo provided satisfying sound at low and high volume.
A few nice touches by Kia make even the least-expensive Borrego look good, such as standard 17” alloy wheels, body color mirrors and exterior door handles, chrome front grill, and the two tone color scheme.
Safety
As with most new vehicles, the Borrego is loaded with airbags and safety technology that earns it top safety ratings for frontal and side impacts.
Powertrain
The Borrego offers competitive V6 and V8 engine/transmission combinations. The standard 3.8-liter V6 is good for 276 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, and it is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the crossover SUV competition, the Borrego offers an impressive 4.6-liter V8 mated to a six-speed transmission. The 4.6-liter is good for 337 hp and 323 lb.-ft of torque.
Interestingly, fuel economy is not a compelling reason to pick one motor over the other because their EPA ratings are within one mile per gallon of each other. The V6 4WD Borrego is rated for 16 mpg city/21 mph highway.
Driving Impressions:
Driving the four-wheel-drive Borrego EX with the V6 was a pleasant experience. This engine/transmission combination is powerful and smooth. The transmission always seemed to know the right gear to be in. The manual shift feature was also fun to use, and provided quick responses. It also turned a surprisingly tight circle for its size.
I was honestly surprised by the 3.8-liter V6. It felt and sounded like a V8 to the point that I questioned the salesman if he was positive that this particular Borrego was not equipped with the V8 – I had not personally popped the hood to check. This motor provides plenty of power for practical purposes. Chad Walkenhorst, a sales consultant at Doug Smith Kia, said that sales of the V8 Borregos have been slower than those of the V6 version. This very well may have to do with how capable and likeable the V6 is in view of the price disparity between the two motors.
I was impressed by the ride quality, and the total absence of squeaks and rattles. Cruising at 60 mph, 70 mph, and 80 mph was effortless and comfortable, although a little wind noise from the A-pillars became apparent at higher speeds.
The car-like interior is attractive, and soft-touch materials abound. It both looks and feels high quality.
Final Evaluation
If you are in the market for a comfortable, capable midsize SUV as your people hauler, the Borrego is certainly worth consideration. Although crossover SUVs might offer slightly better on-road driving dynamics, the Borrego offers confident off-road and towing capability. What do you value the most? Don’t forget the incentives that are often available from Kia, as well as the standard 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on all Kia vehicles.
Note from the Author
I don’t work for Kia, but as a journalist and automotive enthusiast I feel responsible to express the following:
Autonews.com reported that Kia spent more money on the introduction of the Borrego than any other automotive introduction they’ve ever done. Kia is still striving to emerge from their past – a reputation for producing vehicles that were cheap in both price and quality. For example, I recently told my friend Tommy about the Kia Borrego. Tommy loves the Honda Pilot, and as soon as I said the word “Kia” he acted genuinely disgusted. How dare I even mention the Borrego and the Pilot in the same sentence? Tommy then proceeded to remind me that will never drive a Kia because they are “ugly, cheap little cars.” This response is all too common. Both Tommy and much of America still see Kia vehicles as what they remember them to be: “ugly, cheap little cars.” That was yesterday folks. My driving impressions, consumer reviews, and expert reviews say that Kia is now a force to be reckoned with. Consumer Reports rated the Borrego EX V6 higher than the Ford Explorer and the Nissan Pathfinder. Maybe you should get a Kia before demand and prices go up. - UPP.COM