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

Rumormill: Aluminum and carbon fiber, KERS-equipped BMW M5 cometh?

What does the future have in store for BMW's high-performance M division? For starters, lots and lots of power, along with a smattering of light weight and plenty of cutting-edge technology. This all sounds familiar, but the rumored details coming out of Bimmerfile suggest that the 2011 BMW M5 would be nothing short of revolutionary.Not surprisingly, we're told to expect a version of the twin-turbo V8 that currently powers the M division's hi-po X5 and X6 tallboys with somewhere around 570 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. On top of those prodigious figures may very well be a Kenetic Energy Recovery hybrid setup to recapture wasted energy from braking. The stored power would be used to send an extra shot of power via an electric motor contained in the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The KERS power boost reportedly would be controlled by the driver with a Formula 1-style button on the steering wheel.Further performance would be found by putting the next-gen 5 Series on a diet consisting of a chassis wrought completely in aluminum with carbon fiber used in various body panels and optionally on the roof. We look forward to finding out just how much of this rumormill material turns out to be accurate, and we'll know for sure in early 2011 when the next M5 is slated for introduction. -Autoblog

F30 BMW 3 Series caught winter testing

The next BMW 3 Series, codenamed F30, was filmed at a gas station enduring some cold weather testing. Even in its psychedelic-swirl coating, the mule shows that the 5 Series' growth was no aberration -- the next 3 will be large.
Not long ago he wouldn't have even fit in a 3'er. That's not all der neue 3 takes from its larger sibling: the elevated hoodline and what appears to be a return to unfussy lines down the side are also noted. We've yet to see much in the way of tech details, but the car will share its chassis with the next 1 Series, and this could be the 3 to receive the full weight of BMW's ActiveHybrid and EfficientDynamics goodies. Whatever engine they've got in this prototype, though, sounds good. - Autoblog

Detroit Preview: 2011 BMW 740 brings six-cylinder power back to the 7

When the latest generation of BMW's big 7 Series went on sale in the U.S. early this year, buyers had a choice of either the marvelous twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 400-hp 4.4-liter V8 or the supremely impressive twin-turbo, 535-hp V12. A hybrid version of the 7 also goes on sale here in a few months, still mated to the V8. Since day one, European drivers have also had a pair of six-cylinder options fueled by either gasoline or diesel. BMW still hasn't committed to a 7 Series diesel for the U.S., but today has confirmed will be getting the sweet gas-powered I-6. The 740i and 740LI both come to the U.S. market in spring 2010 powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six. In 740 trim, the six cranks out 315 hp and 330 pound-feet, up a bit from the 300/300 ratings in the smaller 335i. The 740 engine does retain the direct injection and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust. This new model also marks the U.S. debut of brake energy regeneration on a non-hybrid BMW. Interestingly, BMW has opted to retain the 7's 6-speed automatic transmission rather than upgrading to the new 8-speed found in the hybrid and the new 5 Series. - Autoblog

2011 Kia Sorento pricing pops up, starts under $20k*

Pricing for the 2011 Kia Sorento has popped up unannounced on the automaker's consumer website, and as it turns out, you can drive a base model off the lot with money to spare for a Subway footlong – minus taxes and all that. At $19,995 for the starter model (*plus $795 in destination charges), you'll get a five-seat unibody crossover with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a manual transmission standard. That engine puts out 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque and is also standard fitment for the uplevel LX and EX models, but the latter two get automatic transmissions.The top tier model is the EX V6, with a 3.5-liter V6 proffering 276 hp and 248 ft-lb. All of the variants except the base also come in either front-drive or all-wheel drive variants, and there is also a seven-seat version. By the time you get to the grips-at-all-fours EX V6, you're looking at $28,895. The Sorento is meant to "significantly increase [Kia's] share of the utility vehicle market," and with pricing like that, a good ride and healthy tech specs, it's got a good shot.

Kia Soul gets fired up with limited-edition Ignition

Kia wants you to consider its 2010 Soul a template ripe for customization, and if you can't think of funky things to do with it, Kia will be glad to help you. This is the Kia Ignition Soul – the second special edition after the 1,200 Denim Souls released earlier this year – in "scorching" Ignition Orange, with offset black striping and blacked-out 18-inch rims, an alloy gas cap, and a rear spoiler.It starts at $17,500 for the manual, making it $200 more than the Denim. But you won't complain about equipment: upgraded stereo, moon roof, keyless remote entry, tinted windows, cruise control, Bluetooth, and then some. - Autoblog

Detroit Preview: BMW to unveil faster Z4 sDrive35is, almost an M

When BMW launched the new Z4 early this year, they made it clear that, unlike the last Z4 and the Z3 before it, there were no plans to create an M version this time around. Of course, forgoing the M nomenclature doesn't mean that BMW won't create a faster Z4 than what's currently in showrooms. In fact, the first of those faster roadsters will debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show. The Z4 sDrive35is is based on the existing 35i, with its delicious twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six. Compared to the existing turbo Z4, the new model gets a higher-flow intake and the turbos are allowed to spin up to higher boost pressures, resulting in an 11 percent bump in both power and torque output. The '35is now makes 335 hp and 332 pound-feet. In fact, for brief bursts, the 35is can crank up the boost even higher resulting in short periods of up to 369 pound-feet of torque. BMW claims the Z4 sDrive35is will get to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Other features of the 35is include revised electric electric power steering programming, a standard dual-clutch gearbox, and brake energy regeneration. Visually, the 35is wears some M Sport aero and suspension bits and sees its ride height dropped 0.4 inches lower than the standard 35i. They may not be calling this a full M Roadster, but in most respects, that's exactly what this new model is. - Autoblog.com

Kia designers reportedly still want Soul'ster built - is there a market for it?

Will they build it or won't they? That's the question we've all been asking since Kia showed off its funky Soul'ster concept earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show. We've been hearing rumblings that there's a solid push from inside the Korean automaker's own ranks to put the little trucklet into production, and it appears that's still the case.Speaking to our friends at PickupTrucks.com at the LA Auto Show, Tom Kearns, Kia North America's Chief Designer, said, "Kia's internal design community is firmly behind building the Soul'ster. We'd like to see it happen. There's no official decision to build it but it's still possible."The base Kia Soul starts at $13,995, and though we have no idea what Kia might charge the Soul'ster if it were to make it to U.S. dealerships, the open-bed unibody would likely have its own little niche to itself as it figures to be significantly smaller and cheaper than vehicles like the Honda Ridgeline. - Autoblog.com

Car of the Year for 2009

With a brief press release and a trophy handoff at the LA Auto Show, car pricing authority NADAguides.com has heaped the first of what we could be many accolades upon the stylish and affordable 2010 Kia Forte and Kia Forte Koup by naming the duo their Car of the Year for 2009. Citing the pair's "best in class" features and stylish interior and exterior design, the group said these Kia compacts were standout vehicles in a pretty impressive field. Other contenders for the crown included such significant and praiseworthy vehicles as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz E350 and Nissan 370Z Roadster. In our own review of the Kia Forte, we praised its styling, build, layout and performance, and especially its budget-minded pricing, so we see where NADA is coming from. Sometimes, we have to scratch our heads a bit when one of these sorts of awards are announced, but in this case, we certainly think the cars are deserving.

Spy Shots: 2011 VW Jetta Sedan

After spending time with the Jetta sedan last year, we came away mostly impressed by its performance and looks. V-Dub's bread-and-butter model is handsome enough to keep buyers interested, but every design gets stale and after wearing the same duds since 2004, VW is working on all-new sheetmetal for the 2011 model year.KPG caught the new Jetta Sedan undergoing hot-weather testing in Arizona, and while most of the shots show little more than swaths of black camo, the heat and wind worked away at the adhesive to reveal crisper lines, a swoopier roof, a more angled rear side window and some snazzy looking taillights. VW is calling the revised Jetta its "New Compact Sedan" and the Jetta name is in no danger of being changed. Expect the 2011 Jetta to take aim at the Civic and Corolla with a significant drop in its base price when it goes on sale late next year. - autoblog.com

Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report

DuPont has released its annual Color Popularity Report, and for the first time has converged data from across the globe to create a worldwide report on how we, as a species, prefer our cars to be colored. OK, maybe that's a bit hyperbolic, but the new worldwide report confirms that Black, Silver and White reign supreme regardless of borders. The three colors are tightly packed in North America, where White is most popular at 17.8 percent with Black (17 percent) and Silver (16.8 percent) not far behind. Europeans, however, like the sleek look of Black at 27 percent compared to Silver at 19.9 percent and White falling pretty far behind at 10.2 percent. Different regions like different colors, but these three remain at or near the top across the board. Who knows why car buyers the world over seem averse to all the colors of the rainbow. Not us. While we dig a nice metallic Silver, other colors like Red, Blue and even shades of Green have a way of teasing out a car's personality better than the grayscale stuff. If you were shopping for a new car (or are), what colors are at the top of your list?