The 2009 Kia Borrego is a new midsize SUV that brings power, luxury and sophistication to ever-expanding Kia lineup. It is available with a strong V8 engine and six-speed transmission for the first time in a Kia vehicle.
The Borrego made global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Kia says Borrego is one of the first production offerings based off of the new design direction Kia continues to unveil through concept vehicles including the Kue, KND-4, Kee and KOUP. It presents a straightforward and clean look intended for those who enjoy an active yet uncomplicated lifestyle.

Power and performance

The new Borrego is powered by a DOHC, all-aluminum 3.8-liter V6 as well as Kia’s first-ever DOHC 4.6-liter V8 engine, also all-aluminum engine which are more powerful than any in Kia car to date. The V6 pumps out a competitive 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, the all-new V8 is rated at a class-leading 337 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 323 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. By the merit of its power, the Borrego is more powerful than the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Acadia. The 2WD or 4WD Borrego runs on regular unleaded fuel compared to the Pathfinder, which requires premium unleaded.

With class-leading towing of 7,500 pounds when partnered to the V8, and 5,000 pounds with the V6, the new midsize SUV offers unmatched capabilities for a weekend of camping or outdoor lifestyle activities. A new six-speed automatic transmission mated to the V8 engine and with this it achieve best-in-class fuel economy for an engine of its kind with an EPA rating of 15/22 city/highway for the V8 with 2WD and 15/20 city/highway for the 4WD – perfect for families on the go as well as for long road trips. When the V6 is under the hood, Borrego is able to achieve competitive fuel economy of 17/21 city/highway (2WD) and 16/21 city/highway (4WD).

Exterior and interior

The Borrego features an aggressive, wide stance indicating stability and strength with flared back headlamps, an upright grille and chiseled hood exude a strong presence. The contemporary front and rear fascias reveal a new face of luxury and the swift rolling on optional 18-inch alloy wheels let the enjoyment of an energetic life both in city cruise and highway travel.

The space in the Kia Borrego is quite large enough to accommodate as many as seven passengers. It also offers decent headroom, driver’s knee airbag and legroom besides a vast cargo area. The perforated leather seats with single-stitch tailoring throughout sets the scene, which leads into the leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls. Three rows of seating are standard for a capacity of seven passengers. The sliding second-row seat allows easier access to the third row, and both the second and third rows fold flat for optimized cargo space.

Safety Features

Kia puts a lot of emphasis on safety, offering six standard airbags, electronic stability and traction control, ABS and brake assist across the line. It also offers downhill assist control (DAC) and hill assist control (HAC), which help maintain stability on steep slopes.

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