Seattle to L.A. in Kia's Big Tow
"You're driving?" queried Kia's PR man Chaz Abbott, shocked that I didn't answer his question with, "I'm flying out around noon tomorrow." You see, I attended the launch of the Borrego-Kia's all-new seven-passenger SUV-in Cle Elum, Washington, (about 80 miles east of Seattle) and, following the event, decided to drive one back to L.A., rather than take the 2.5-hour easy way on a 737.
"Dude, that's crazy," he said, subsequently asking, "How far is that?" "About 1200 miles," I told him. I proceeded to inform him that I was going to visit my parents in Portland, Oregon, just 250 miles south, and then take two additional days to make my way down to the City of Angels. Three drive days in all. One brand-new V-8-powered SUV. With satellite radio and an iPod jack, no sweat.
As a matter of fact, it was no sweat. Back in L.A. I felt fresh, fatigue-free, and ready to go another 1200. (Okay, maybe just another 12.) Nevertheless, I realized I had grown quite fond of the Borrego. What I liked (and didn't like) over my 1200-plus miles:
1. It's got guts: Utilizing Hyundai/Kia's new 4.6L Tau V-8, the same engine as in the Genesis, the Borrego had no problems effortlessly climbing steep mountain grades around Mt. Shasta and the Grapevine, or passing lines of big rigs on I-5. Power is down compared with the Genesis-337 hp vs. 375-but up in light of the V-8s in the Nissan Pathfinder (310) and the Toyota 4Runner (260). Zero-to-60 shouldn't take any more than 7.0 sec, which is impressive for a rig weighing 4600 lb. Speaking of pounds, the Borrego will tow nearly twice its weight, able to haul 7500 lb worth of Bayliner or Airstream. Again, that's more than Pathfinder (7000) and 4Runner (7000).
2. It's quiet: The new Toyota Land Cruiser may be quieter than the Borrego, but I can't think of another body-on-frame V-8 sport/ute that's this serene on the road. Even with strong crosswinds dancing around the Kia on Highway 14 in Washington, nudging it closer and closer to the Columbia River, I could barely hear all the commotion outside. And through those boring and beige stretches near Bakersfield, the Borrego made 90 mph sound and feel more like 60.
3. It's relaxing and roomy: Great seats with excellent lateral support, along with a comfortable driving position, make long hauls short. The second and third rows, both of which fold flat (the second row also slides forward for easier ingress and egress) offer more head- and legroom than in the Pathfinder or 4Runner. Cargo volume behind the third row (12.4 cu ft) is more than that in the 4Runner (12.1) but a few down compared with the Pathfinder's (16.4), although the Borrego does boast a larger interior volume (156.8 cu ft) than the Nissan (149.1) and the Toyota (145.3).
4. It's handsome: Inside and out, this Borrego looks sharp. Kia did a commendable job keeping the production vehicle true to its inspiration, the Mesa Concept that made its debut at the 2005 Detroit auto show. The design is bold and somewhat square, but not nearly as boxy as the shell on the new Honda Pilot. I found the interior adequately posh-as nice as the cabins in the Pathfinder and 4Runner, for instance-and the ergonomics excellent. All the controls are easy to find and use; the new nav system (a Kia first) is intuitive; and the 10-speaker Infinity sound system provides plenty of punch (and the standard USB/aux inputs are welcome touches).
5. It's a value: The Borrego starts at $26,995. For that dough, you get rear-drive, a 276-hp V-6, a five-speed automatic, three rows, curtain airbags (for all three rows), a backup warning system (a rearview camera will be available this fall), 17-in. wheels, and two new features that are especially useful when going off-road -- Downhill Brake Control (keeps the vehicle going straight and steady down steep grades) and Hill Start Assist Control (prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when pulling away from an uphill gradient). And if you do plan to go off-road, automatic Torque-on-Demand four-wheel drive costs an extra $2000. My tester, an EX V-8 4x4 ($33,745) with $750 18-in. chrome wheels, an $1800 premium package (sunroof, Infinity audio, rear A/C, runningboards), a $1500 luxury package (leather for first and second rows, heated front seats, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel), and a $1500 nav system, totaled $39,395, less than many comparably equipped V-6 crossovers.
6. It's a rough-rider: It is a truck, after all, so expecting it to ride like a Genesis isn't going to happen. I will say it offers a ride on par with those of other ladder-frame SUVs such as the Pathfinder, 4Runner, and Explorer. But the problem for Kia is that prospective buyers of the Borrego will be cross-shopping it with the full lot of today's seven-seat sport/utes, most of them the softer-riding car-based crossovers. These include the Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse, Ford Flex, Toyota Highlander, and Mazda CX-9. Each offers a strong V-6, legitimate seating for seven (even eight for the Pilot), and, as I mentioned, comfortable road manners that are more immune to bump steer, crashing over expansion joints, and prompting coffee spills.
7. It's a gas lover: What SUV isn't, right? Truth is, for what it is, the Borrego gets excellent fuel economy -- anywhere from 17 city/21 hwy for a 2WD V-6 to 15/20 for a 4WD V-8, making it miserly among other truck-based SUVs, especially those with V-8s -- but many car-based crossovers do better. A 2WD Ford Flex gets 17/24 while a 4WD Toyota Highlander achieves 17/23.
Bottom line: The Borrego is a first-rate truck-based SUV that, among its body-on-frame peers, delivers class-leading power and fuel economy. Further, it offers commendable handling and a spacious, nicely finished interior, all wrapped in handsome sheetmetal that's competitively priced and stamped with a stellar warranty. But unless a plethora of Americans need to tow nearly four tons or must venture off a beaten path that a crossover can't overcome, it's hard to see the Borrego, a no-name in the segment, outselling the established car-based SUVs or being a big draw for Kia. Of course, another way to look at it (and this is my personal point of view) is that it's a Land Cruiser for cheap; in that case, sign me up!
2009 Kia Borrego
Base Price $26,995-$33,745
Vehicle layout Front engine, RWD or 4WD, 7-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine 3.8L/276-hp/267-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6; 4.6L/337-hp/323-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8
Transmission 5-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic
Curb weight (dist f/r) 4250-4600 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase 114
Length x width x height 192.1 x 75.4 x 71.3 in
0-60 mph 7.0-8.0 sec (est)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 15-17 / 21-22 mpg
CO2 emissions 1.02-1.13 lb/mi
On sale in U.S. Currently
Motor Trend
By Ron Kiino
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