2009 Kia Borrego

We were also surprised to find how well the 2009 Kia Borrego was suited to long, high-speed cruising. During a weekend filled with highway travel, the cabin remained well insulated from the outside world. We scarcely noticed any wind noise, and even sounds from loud sources (e.g. motorcycles, semi trucks, the Borrego's own horn) were considerably muted to those inside.

There are three 2009 Kia Borrego trim levels from which to choose. The (well-equipped) base spec is dubbed LX, the upper-crust variant, EX. You can further upgrade the EX with the Luxury Package and Premium Package. The range is topped by an all-black V-8 only Limited model that makes every option standard, including Smart Key and pushbutton start that's not available on any other Borrego. A few options really stand out, the first being the Infinity audio/Sirius Satellite/navigation system, similar to those in various Chrysler vehicles. The Infinity tunes sound strong and clear, although the Sirius in this application hunted for a signal more than most we've experienced. The 2009 Borrego's touch-screen nav is dumbbell easy to program and never led us astray, which isn't always the case with some others. Another is the outstanding (optional) rear air-conditioning system, which includes a second compressor, six additional vents for the rear seating areas, and its own control panel, allowing management of temp, fan, and upper/lower vent modes.

The saints be praised, the 2009 Kia Borrego is not---repeat, not---some AWD but an honest-to-goodness four-wheel drive that comes with a Borg-Warner 2-speed t-case with a 2.48:1 low-range. Suspension is independent double-wishbone up front, and a multilink/coilover setup in the rear. Minimum ground clearance is 8.5 inchers, and approach angle is a not-bad-for-this-class-anymore 27 degrees. Towing capacity is 7,500 pounds (yep, it's a body on frame, not a monocoque), and an integrated Class 3 hitch is standard issue.

2009 Kia Borrego Nice Vehicle, Bad Timing. We Like: Interior appointments, nice engine, quiet cabin, true utility. We Don't Like: Suspension feel when the going gets rough, lacks some essential features.

Kia Execs have got to be beyond tired of seeing the phrase above pop up whenever the discussion turns to the Borrego, the Korean automaker's stout, all-new midsize SUV (sorry, Kia, had to go there again). Despite a market that's run screaming from traditional truck-based SUVs, Kia remains confident its first seven-passenger 2009 Borrego SUV will be a sales success. After hustling it around our test loops, we're pretty sure the Borrego will more than hold its own.

Not some sissy car-based crossover, the 2009 Kia Borrego is a brawny, body-on-frame lad capable of towing up to 7500 lb with the optional 337-hp, 4.6L V-8 (the base 3.8L V-6 pulls up to 5000 lb). We have the loaded-up, 4WD V-8 mated to a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic with a manual mode. It's a solid freeway cruiser, with more than enough power for any pavement-pounding situation. Steering feel is nicely weighted and direct, and the brakes are strong, stopping the 4872-lb vehicle in 130 ft from 60 to 0 mph.

By now, we've gone over the V-8-powered 2009 Kia Borrego with a fine-tooth comb and picked at every nit. The jury has returned, and the verdict is in: The Borrego is a great midsize SUV that suffers from bad timing. The only question is, what about the V-6?

Unsurprisingly, it's just as good. The 2009 Kia Borrego V-6 is the same well-built and well-equipped SUV, with no cheap upholstery or low-quality materials dragging the base model down like a stone. In fact, in terms of features, the V-6 gives up very little ground. Besides 17-in. wheels instead of 18s and the lack of the V-8's standard driver's knee airbag, the differences between the two variants of the Kia Borrego are confined purely to the driveline.

The Kia Borrego has received five-star front and side impact ratings for both front and rear seat passengers. It also scored a four-star rollover rating for both the two and four-wheel-drive models. To help it pull off the impressive crash test scores, the seven-passenger 2009 Kia Borrego features standard anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, Electronic Stability Control, a Traction Control System, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, a Brake Assist System, Electronic Brake Distribution, driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, side curtain airbags for all three rows and, on V-8 models, a driver's knee airbag.

The 2009 Borrego 156.8 cubic feet of passenger space is 11.1 cubic feet larger than the similarly packaged Nissan Pathfinder. Three-row seating is standard. The second row is split 60/40, the smaller part of the seat slides forward via a one-touch lever allowing quick access to the rear bench. It's in this area the Kia Borrego shines, with full-size adults sitting in the way-back enjoying "no contact" head- and legroom. The backs of the second and third row seats are covered in hard plastic material, making an ideal load floor when those seats are folded flat for max cargo room.

1. It's got guts: Utilizing Hyundai/Kia's new 4.6L Tau V-8, the same engine as in the Genesis, the 2009 Kia 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 2009 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).

Kia says the Borrego's platform is unique, although it's not unlike a stretched Sorento's body-on-frame, also featuring an independent rear suspension. Kia says we should expect the Borrego to be nearly as good off-road as the Sorento and exceptional on-road refinement, as well.

There are three 2009 Kia Borrego trim levels from which to choose. The (well-equipped) base spec is dubbed LX, the upper-crust variant, EX. You can further upgrade the EX with the Luxury Package and Premium Package. The range is topped by an all-black V-8 only Limited model that makes every option standard, including Smart Key and pushbutton start that's not available on any other Borrego. A few options really stand out, the first being the Infinity audio/Sirius Satellite/navigation system, similar to those in various Chrysler vehicles. The Infinity tunes sound strong and clear, although the Sirius in this application hunted for a signal more than most we've experienced. The 2009 Borrego's touch-screen nav is dumbbell easy to program and never led us astray, which isn't always the case with some others. Another is the outstanding (optional) rear air-conditioning system, which includes a second compressor, six additional vents for the rear seating areas, and its own control panel, allowing management of temp, fan, and upper/lower vent modes.