The new 2009 Kia Borrego is a classic American-style mid-size sport-utility. Think Ford Explorer/Chevy Trailblazer. And also think, "My, what lousy timing. Just when gas prices have been going up..."
Not, of course, that Kia had much of a choice for its first mid-size SUV.. When the Borrego project was started-from original design to engineering the factory assembly lines and initial roll-out can easily span four or five years-the SUV market was still booming. The old phrase it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time comes to mind. But like the cowboy said when his horse had jumped ninety percent of the ravine and it looks doubtful about the rest, it's too late to turn back now.
Kia also took the curious route of designing an old-school SUV. While most of its competitors have changed to unit-body construction--meaning the vehicle's body is also its frame-the Borrego has a separate frame on which the body is mounted. This traditional method of vehicle design goes back to the Model T and beyond but for cars has mostly died off, with a few exceptions (cough, cough, Ford Crown Victoria, cough, cough). Generally speaking, unit-body allows a smoother, quieter ride.
Body-on-frame, however, is typically stronger for tasks like hauling and towing, which explains why "real" pickup trucks are made that way. It also explains why when the Borrego is equipped with the optional 337-hp V-8--Kia's first: The SUV has a tow rating of 7,500 pounds. Which is a bunch, more than any other in the mid-size sport-ute class. Even with the standard V-6, the Borrego can pull 5,000 pounds.
A typical trade-off, however, with the body-on-frame construction is a rougher ride, though Kia equipped the Borrego with coil rear springs rather than traditional leaf springs, and also insulated the body from the frame with thick rubber cushions. Based on our driving the vehicle at a vehicle launch around Cle Elum, Washington, Kia succeeded in matching the competition. In other words, it rides like an SUV, though at the top rung, and--no surprise--don't expect sports car handling from what's still a tall truck.
Kia went all out with the interior, however. Cheap and chintzy Korean? Not here. Touch surfaces are soft and the seats are heavenly. The Borrego can also be equipped to carry seven passengers, which is the new obligatory.
But back to fuel mileage: Depending on how it's equipped, the Borrego gets from 15 to 17 mpg city and 20 to 22 mpg highway. That's competitive-to-slightly-better. The 2wd V-8 gets a best-in-class 15/22 mpg rating.
Prices: Base V-6 2WD, including delivery: $26,995. With all the bells and whistles on a V8 4WD model the list price is $37,795.
Despite Kia's whistling past the graveyard expectations of success for the Borrego and their largest promotional blitz ever, the Borrego is going to have it tough in a shrinking market, sort of like showing up at the party with really great dip but finding that the excitement has moved on to someone else's house. We suspect that there will be great deals on the Kia Borrego for those who need its impressive capabilities, but it also bodes well for so many other coming attractions from Kia in the next year and a half.
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