2009 Kia Borrego
 |
 |
Kia launched its first seven-passenger SUV at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. Borrego will take a seat above the Korean automaker's five-seat Sorento SUV.
Borrego is a bit of an odd duck in the SUV landscape. It's not a car-based crossover like the GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-9. Rather, it's a traditional, truck-type SUV like the Dodge Durango or Toyota 4Runner. Borrego borrows its powertrains from corporate parent, Hyundai. A 3.8-liter V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission will be standard, and that should be good for about 270 horsepower. Available for the first time on a Kia will be a V8. The 4.6-liter unit will produce well over 300 horsepower and be teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Traditional body-on-frame construction means robust towing capacity: 5000 pounds for the V6 and 7500 pounds for the V8. Borrego will be like the Nissan Pathfinder in that it will offer four-wheel independent suspension. Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive will be available.
While it's not unusual for an automaker to want a piece of the seven-seat SUV pie, it is strange that Kia would go "old school" with a body-on-frame vehicle versus a more carlike crossover. With sales of traditional truck-type SUVs continuing in a downward spiral, it will be interesting to see just how successful a niche Borrego can carve. Kia didn't announce prices, but Borrego is scheduled to go on sale this summer.
