by J.T. Hills
SGN Contributing Writer

            TOP

• Extensive list of standard features
• Upscale interior appointments
• Competitively priced

                BOTTOM

• The 4.6-liter V8 didn’t pack much punch
• Full-size SUV MPG in a mid-size package

            The Borrego is KIA’s largest and most powerful SUV for the U.S. market. Built on a traditional body-on-frame design, the seven-passenger Borrego is available with a V6 or V8 engine, two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and, with the V8, has a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs. After a week with the 2009 KIA Borrego V8, I’ve compiled a brass-tacks list of highly technical scientific data based upon observations, experimentation, tabulations, inspections and so forth. Here we go:

          What a difference a year makes
            When the KIA Borrego was introduced in 2008, much was said about the ill timing of its release in relation to gas prices. Who would want to buy a big gas-guzzling traditional SUV with gas prices nearing $5.00 a gallon? Well, a year has passed and gas prices are half of what they were, and if it wasn’t for the world financial markets collapsing, well, KIA might not look so shortsighted with the Borrego. There’s still a market for old-fashioned body-on-frame constructed SUVs versus the crossover.

            I took the Borrego on a little road trip up to Bellingham to visit a friend and was fortunate enough to run into a little snow. The overall ride of the Borrego is very truck-like. It drives like a truck – a big plushy truck – feels like a truck, and has a masculine truck-like stance to it. The test vehicle came equipped with the 4.6-liter V-8. It’s not a racing sort of V-8, it just sort of meanders up to 70 mph and takes its own sweet time doing so. There’s plenty of power for passing and whatnot, you just feel like you’re sticking your foot in it all the time to get it there. It has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Whoever got those numbers obviously wasn’t trying to get anywhere anytime soon; I got 12 and 16 respectively. The four-wheel drive system was great in what little snow I encountered. It felt secure and sure of foot.

            The interior of the Borrego is nicely designed and well equipped. I liked the fact that there was plenty of legroom front and back for those over six feet tall. The third row, well, the third row is really just for kids in any sized SUV. It does fold nice and flat into the cargo floor though for hauling extra stuff. It came with a dual zone climate control system, which was a nice feature, although it seemed to take forever to heat up. The fit and finish of the materials was rather good, and you can upgrade to leather heated seating surfaces for a reasonable price ($1,800).

            In a time when other car companies are rethinking the size, efficiencies, and relevance of the SUV, I’m still a little confused by the Borrego. Do you get a lot comparatively for the money? Sure. Is it necessary? I guess the marketplace will dictate.

            OK, for a before-tax price of $39,295, what do you get?
            The KIA Borrego V8 comes with a long list of standard features, and some fairly priced upgrades. A quick look at the favorites includes:

            Performance

• 4.6-liter V8
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Four-wheel drive with triple mode selection (auto, hi, low)
• Front double wishbone suspension
• Rear multi-link suspension
• Front and rear disc brakes with ABS

            Safety

• Dual front advanced airbags, driver’s knee airbag
• Full-length side curtain airbag
• Electronic stability control
• Traction control system
• Downhill brake control
• Hill assist control
• Back-up warning system
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Front active headrests

            Comfort and convenience

• Dual zone automatic climate control
• Power windows, door locks and outside mirrors
• AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with steering wheel controls
• SIRIUS satellite radio
• Eight-way power driver’s seat, and four-way power front passenger seat
• Leather wrapped tilt steering wheel
• Keyless remote entry
• Auto dimming rearview mirror with Homelink

            Options

• 18” chrome wheels ($750)
• Premium Package: sunroof, Infinity AM/FM/CDC/MP3 audio, rear AC with full controls, running boards ($1,800)
• Navigation system ($1,500)
• Luxury Package: leather seat trim, heater front seats, tilt and telescopic steering column, two-position memory drivers seat, outside mirrors, and steering column ($1,500)
• Destination and handling ($700)