2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Kia Borrego

kia borrego

Large sport utilities with V-8 engines are nothing new. In fact, some might even say that their day has passed as gas prices continue to rise. That hasn’t deterred some buyers, and Kia wants a slice of that pie. The Borrego is a production version of the Mesa concept we saw a couple of years ago, and its debut marks a further expansion of Kia’s model lineup and image to consumers. This is no namby-pamby car-based crossover, but a real body-on-frame SUV with off-road intentions. Such a car coming from Kia may sound a little peculiar, but the company is striving to be a full-line manufacturer, and the Borrego fills a gap in that lineup. Besides, it also complements the Sorrento, another body-on-frame SUV that’s off-road capable. Kia says it will offer two engines in the Borrego: a V-6 and the company’s first production V-8. While specifics haven’t been given, we’re assuming the V-6 is a trucked-up version of the 3.8-liter V-6 found in the Amanti sedan, where it churns out a respectable 264 horsepower. The V-8 is bound to be a version of the engine that will debut in sister company Hyundai’s Genesis sedan. In that application it will put out around 350 horsepower; Kia says it will make "more than 300 horsepower" in the Borrego. With the V-8 the Borrego will have the biggest towing capacity of any Kia, and we’re assuming it will have four-wheel drive with low range and all the other goodies. There’s little innovative or striking about the Borrego’s design, but there’s nothing jarring or shocking, either. Its clean two-box shape reminds us of a good dozen or so other vehicles of similar size and purpose, and there’s really no specific Kia elements to it, but overall it’s pleasantly styled. Still, we would have liked a little more pizzazz. Kia is withholding most of the information about the Borrego until its actual debut at Detroit – or close to it – so the release is fairly tight-lipped. Still, the company says that, “Built with body-on frame construction incorporating the latest in NVH engineering philosophy, Borrego will be Kia’s newest addition to its well-rounded full-line of vehicles that continually provide value, safety and a steadfast 10-year/100,000-mile warranty to consumers. Borrego will be available with either a V-6 engine or the company’s first V-8 offering, which will also boast Kia’s largest towing capacity to date.” While we wonder about Kia’s timing, there’s no arguing that there’s still a market for this type of vehicle. Still, does the Explorer need a direct competitor, just as the whole idea of V-8 SUVs is being supplanted by V-6 crossovers? By Keith Buglewicz Photo credit: Kia Photo credit: Oliver Bentley