The 2009 Kia Borrego is the one of several large-vehicle launches that are on the horizon for 2009. Also on the agenda, we have vehicles like the Hummer H3T, the Dodge Ram and the Ford F-150. I don't know what you're thinking, but the question on my mind is: What are they thinking?
Easier asked than answered, I suppose. But part of the answer is the planning. Five years ago when these vehicles were just ink blots on a sketchpad, the national average for gasoline was in the $1.75 per gallon range. Who could have imaged that prices at the pump would more than double by the time these gas-hungry vehicles became a reality?
So, given the current economic climate, it was with a fair share of skepticism that I attended the Kia Borrego press preview. Luckily, this seven-passenger, midsize SUV has a great story to tell.
So, we'll jump right in with the most pressing issue: Fuel economy.
The Borrego isn't a miracle SUV that will get city and highway economy topping 30 mpg. But, it pretty much beats Kia's key competitors in the midsize SUV segment, namely the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Pilot and Toyota 4Runner.
The Borrego offers two engine options and two drivetrains. So, on one end of the scale, we have the two-wheel drive V-6 model that gets 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. On the other end of the scale, there's the four-wheel drive V-8 model that gets 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.
While V-6 mileage numbers show overlap with its competitors, the V-8 Borrego blows the competition out of the water. The 2WD Borrego with the V-8 gets city/highway mileage of 15/22 mpg. Compare that to the Grand Cherokee (13/19 mpg), the 4Runner (15/19 mpg), the Explorer (13/20 mpg) and the Pathfinder (13/18 mpg). The Pilot doesn't currently offer a V-8 model.
In this rough climate, higher mileage estimates are a huge selling point in a segment that has plummeting sales numbers.
As Tom Loveless, vice president of sales, pointed out, Kia doesn't currently have a vehicle in the midsize SUV segment, so there's a lot of opportunity for the brand to expand their offerings and attract new customers. It doesn't hurt that their product will beat out many of their competitors in terms of not only fuel economy but also luxury amenities.
"It helps to be the best or among the best in the segment," Loveless said.
The best value, the best fuel economy, the best equipment, the best overall package. That's the argument Kia makes for the Borrego.
In fact, throughout the press conference, we were bombarded with a message brimming with optimism. And, I suppose, if any automaker is in a position to be optimistic, it would be Kia. They are, after all, breaking sales records in an automotive market that's struggling.
Tim Chaney, director of marketing, said that he thinks the content and quality of the Borrego will offset the SUV concerns.
I do still have to insert that healthy dose of skepticism here, but after spending some quality time in the vehicle, I have to say that Chaney just might be right.
I was actually stunned by the number of "luxury" amenities that are standard on the base Kia Borrego. You'll find that their new ad campaigns really capitalize on this, coining a new tagline for Kia: A new kind of luxury SUV.
While the LED turn signals on the side mirrors, integrated towing hitch, third row and three-row side-curtain airbags are a nice additions to the standard list, there are three other standard items that are particularly surprising: rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control.
The Borrego, in addition to being a value proposition, is a proving ground of Kia firsts. In an effort to move its way up the food chain, Kia is now offering features like navigation, a rear backup camera, smart key access and Bluetooth connectivity. This is also the first time Kia is offering a V-8 engine in one of their vehicles.
The up-level 4.6-liter V-8 is the same Tau engine offered in the new Hyundai Genesis, and it delivers 337 horsepower and 323 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. With this engine, the towing capacity is a class-leading 7,500 pounds. Yet another "best" for the Borrego.
The base engine is a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that delivers 276 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This model can tow up to 5,000 pounds and comes equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. The V-8 is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which happens to be the same six-speed in the BMW X5.
I had the opportunity to drive both the V-6 and the V-8 models during the preview. My first time in the driver's seat was a brief stint on the highway behind the wheel of the V-6. The vehicle was comfortable and quiet. Road noise was minimal, and cruising speeds were easily achieved. I did notice a little sluggishness during hard acceleration, but it was nothing out of the ordinary for a V-6 engine, and it wasn't off-putting.
The V-8 model, however, was more responsive during aggressive acceleration, and it was easier to pass and merge with highway traffic.
I spent an equal amount of time in the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, and I found both positions to be comfortable. For a larger vehicle, the Borrego's controls and gauges were easy to see and reach. I particularly appreciated the fact that the mirror adjustments were located on the driver's door. I didn't have to lean forward or stretch to adjust my side mirrors, which means I got the position correct the first time.
I like the looks and layout of the interior. The brushed silver trim is an elegant touch, and the leather seats included with the Convenience Package ($1,200) were firm yet supportive. The interior is certainly upscale for Kia, but Lexus, Jaguar and BMW it is not. I'm not trying to say the interior materials are cheap, but they're not going to be as plush as a luxury automaker's.
The standard third-row seat is surprisingly roomy if not entirely comfortable. Entry into the third-row is relatively easy with a quick slide of the second-row seat. However, settling into the seat was a little like sitting on the floor. With my feet planted flat on the floor, my backs of my knees were raised off the seat. And I'm only 4-foot, 11-inches. The upside: I didn't feel squashed because there's plenty of knee room.
During the preview, I also spent time fiddling with flattening the second- and third-row seats. The third-row seat goes down easily, and even with my petite height, I could bring the seat upright while standing at the back of the vehicle. That may not seem like much, but there are several vehicles with third-row seats that require me to climb into the vehicle to bring them back up. The second row also went down easily, but bringing it back upright was a little more of a struggle, and I really had to get my weight under the seat to push it back in place.
The exterior of the Borrego has a familiar shape, but the bold blocky headlights and angular lines help set it apart. While the exterior isn't stunningly original, it is attractive in its own right. I'm not a particular fan of the gray cladding, which creates a two-tone color effect when combined with a lighter paint color. But, if you choose a dark color (my favorite was the Midnite Blue), the cladding blends with the paint, and the overall effect is classic.
Inside and out, I think the Borrego is a nice vehicle that has the potential to beat the pants off its competitors in terms of amenities and fuel economy.
The one thing that's going to hurt the Borrego is the pricing. It's pretty well stocked at $26,995, but Kia is still building brand equity in the U.S. So, even with all the extra standard features, I think a base price of $27K going to be a hard sell. Especially since the all-new Pilot is only priced slightly higher at $27,595, and the Explorer is actually priced lower at $26,195.
The Borrego is just now hitting dealers and is currently available as base a LX ($26,995) and up-level EX ($28,745) models. Later this fall, top-of-the-line Limited model will be available.
If you are in the market for a midsize SUV, the new Kia Borrego should top your list of vehicles to test drive. It handles well and offers standard features that cost extra on other vehicles in this segment.
2009 Kia Borrego
Engine: 3.8-liter, V-6; 4.6-liter, V-8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic (V-6); 6-speed automatic (V-8)
Horsepower: 276 (V-6), 337 (V-8)
Torque: 267 lb-ft (V-6); 323 lb-ft (V-8)
Drivetrain: 2WD, 4WD
Wheelbase: 114 inches
Height: 71.3 inches
Length: 192.3 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
MPG (city/hwy): 17/21 (V-6, 2WD); 16/21 (V-6, 4WD); 15/22 (V-8, 2WD); 15/20 (V-8, 4WD)
Base price: $26,995 (V-6, 2WD); $29,045 (V-6, 4WD); $31,745 (V-8, 2WD); $31,745 (V-8, 4WD)
July 24, 2008
BY JILL CIMINILLO SearchChicago -- Autos Editor
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