Kia Borrego takes on Pathfinder, 4-Runner

7-passenger comfort, reliability with Kia value

Kia is raising the bar.

Just last week, Manteca's Kia Country received their first shipment of the Borrego - the seven-passenger SUV expected to rival larger models like the Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota 4-Runner in the full-size import SUV market.

While value and reliability have always been associated with the Kia name, now rolling out a massive V8 model to to take on its biggest competitors seems like the next logical step - especially as the season where off-roading becomes a necessity to reach the highest elevations of the Sierra to take advantage of the snow pack.

"We just got this in, and we've already had customers coming up to us asking when they're going to be available," said Kia County Sales Manager Dan Espino. "People are looking for the seven-seaters so that they can pile their entire family in, and they know that they're getting the reliability that only Kia can offer them."

Ever since they first emerged on the American auto market, Kia has been famous for their 100,000-mile, 10-year limited warranty on all new cars that are sold through dealerships.

The addition of a 5-year, 60-000-mile roadside service package only aids in comforting drivers that they'd be taken care of if the unexpected happens.

And while Kia models are routinely thousands less than similarly equipped in-class models, the manufacturer doesn't cut any corners when it comes to preserving the safety of those inside.

The combination of electronic stability control (ESC) and a traction control system (TSC) helps keep the Borrego safe even during uneven conditions.

A special blend of braking assist mechanisms also help ensure adequate slowdown times without losing control, while an advanced airbag system projects almost every inch of the interior of the vehicle if it were to unfortunately be involved in an accident.

There aren't a whole lot of places where you're going to find safety with the price tag that you're going to find on the Borrego.

If it's performance that you're looking for to exacerbate the luxurious comfort - which includes optional in-dash navigation and stitched leather seats - then the Borrego will give you all you need with a 337-horsepower 4.6-liter V8.

"You throw all of that together in a package and you realize that it's a great buy for a family looking for everything," Espino said. "You can't beat that warranty, and when you look at that car, you can't beat that style."

Jason Campbell