Kia's timing is off. It's hit the market with a traditional, truck-based SUV -- available with Kia's first V-8 engine -- just as Americans decided such fuel-thirsty SUVs are as appealing as poison ivy.
Its marketing pitch also might be off. Kia -- long the brand you bought for price -- is promoting the new Borrego SUV as a luxury model.
Of course, Kia might wind up with the midsize, truck-based market to itself as other makers flee to more popular, car-based crossover SUVs that are lighter, nimbler and potentially more fuel-efficient.
Kia is not dumb, just unlucky. Product plans are locked in several years before a vehicle hits showrooms. The automaker says that nobody could have forecast the sudden run-up in fuel prices and implosion of sales for this type of body-on-frame SUV.
In Borrego's favor is that it feels tauter and crisper than most truck products. Both the V-8 and V-6 early-production test trucks were sporty and satisfying to drive. Not as refined as a well-done crossover, but commendable nonetheless. Don't turn up your nose at Borrego based on its underpinnings.
Mileage wasn't great, but no worse than rivals, whether crossovers or truck-based SUVs. Expect 15 mpg, plus or minus, in the suburbs; better with a light foot. The V-6 was a little better than the V-8.
On paper, the optional V-8 powertrain is a hottie: 4.6-liter, 337 horsepower, 323 pounds-feet of torque, six-speed automatic. Behind the wheel, though, it had to be revved a bit to get that hoo-boy feeling you want.
The surprise was the base V-6, a 3.8-liter unit rated 276 hp and 267 lbs.-ft. of torque, mated to a five-speed auto. It was lively from the get-go through speeds that'll put you at odds with people in cars with flashing lights. Perhaps because of its be-happy persona, the V-6 drank fuel nearly as fast as the V-8. Conservative drivers would do better.
Both transmissions shifted up and down crisply -- not always true even in pure luxury vehicles. And both provided a manual-shift mode that was easy and inviting to use.
Despite some flaws, Borrego had a barbed appeal -- it got under your skin and was hard to get out. There was a bit of anticipation heading out each day to fire up the Borrego. Accounting for that:
-Sportiness. Agility made the Borregos seem less like clumsy trucks. Steering was especially nice, neither twitchy nor numb. The body didn't lean much in tight corners.
-Comfort. The leather bucket seats in the testers were a nice blend of cosseting and corseting. Second-row seats slid fore and aft and reclined.
-Ambience. Befitting a premium machine, controls felt good to operate, surfaces were appealing to eye and hand, and the design and layout inside were attractive.
-4x4. Borrego's the good kind. You can leave it in automatic four-wheel-drive mode or lock into 4x4 high for challenging roads or 4x4 low for true off-roading. Kia says the system sends up to 35% of power to the front wheels and anticipates the right power split based on acceleration and other factors.
It was flawless in heavy rain with barely a peep from the rears before the fronts clawed for grip.
-Features. Thoughtful touches include a little extra cargo space under the rear floor, standard skid plates underneath, a 115-volt power outlet on some models, easily deciphered three-zone climate control on deluxe versions and optional heated seats in the second row instead of only in front.
-Noise. Not much.
But, no, the Borrego's not a home run, because:
-Ride. Too much pitch and toss; too stiff even for truck-lovers, and jarring on sharp bumps.
-Price. The V-8 test truck was $39,295; the V-6, $36,295. Yet, both lacked rear-seat DVD, backup cameras, power tailgates and one-touch windows. Back-up camera and rear DVD are options. Kia expects to have one-touch up/down windows in the 2010, and plans a power gate in a few years.
A Limited model with most features standard is planned this fall. Kia has not set that price yet.
On the other end, Borrego starts at about $27,000, similar to the Ford Explorer, a truck-based SUV that is its closest rival. Compared with Explorer, Borrego has a stiffer ride, but a classier interior, better drivetrain and better mileage.
Borrego starts about $1,300 less than the new-design 2009 Honda Pilot midsize crossover SUV (Test Drive, May 8). Borrego rides and handles worse than the Honda and uses more fuel.
If you like truck-based, midsize SUVs, Borrego is a very good example of a vanishing breed.
2009 Kia Borrego What? Madness: A truck-based SUV at a time nobody's buying them. Midsize. Four doors. Three rows of seats. Choice of V-6 or Kia's first V-8 engine. Rear-wheel or four-wheel drive (4x4). When? On sale since mid-July.
Where? Made in South Korea.
Why? Kia didn't anticipate Americans fleeing truck-based SUVs for mpg's.
How much? Starts at $26,995 including shipping for rear-drive V-6. Top-of-the-line V-8 4x4 starts at $31,745.
How powerful? V-6 is 3.8-liter rated 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 267 pounds-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. Optional V-8 is 4.6-liter rated 337 hp at 6,000 rpm, 323 lbs.-ft. at 3,500 rpm.
V-6 with five-speed automatic, V-8 has six-speed. Both have manual mode.
How lavish? Standard features include stability control; side-impact and head-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes with brake-force distribution and assist; back-up warning system; air conditioning; power steering, brakes, windows, locks, mirrors; AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sirius-ready audio; cruise control; slide/recline second-row seat; remote locks.
Four-wheel-drive option has full-time automatic setting, 4x4 high/low ranges.
How big? Near a Ford Explorer but about 200 pounds lighter: 192.1 inches long, 75.4 in. wide, 71.3 in. tall on a 114-in. wheelbase; 4,248 lbs. to 4,5621 lbs. Tows 5,000 lbs. (V-6) or 7,500 lbs. (V-8).
Cargo space in cubic feet listed as 12.4 behind third row, 43.1 with third row down, 97.6 with second, third down.
Turning circle is listed as 36.5 ft.
How thirsty? V-6 is rated 17 miles per gallon in town, 21 highway, 18 combined with rear-wheel drive; 16/21/18 with 4x4. V-8 is 15/22/18 with rear-wheel, 15/20/17 with 4x4.
In combined suburban, freeway driving, trip computer showed 15.3 mpg in V-6 4x4 test truck, 14.6 in V-8 4x4.
Regular (87-octane) gasoline is specified. Tank holds 20.6 gallons.
Overall: Stiff-riding and some versions pricey, but a generally nice truck.
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