Styled like the boxy SUVs of the 90s, the design of the Kia Borrego still manages to come off as a fairly good looking car.
This
2009 Kia Borrego EX 4x4, wearing a color Kia calls "Copperhead," harkens back to the good old days of SUVs when they were boxy on the outside and functional both on the inside and underneath. The 2009 Kia Borrego reminds me of the first generation Ford Explorers which is a good thing, since the early Explorer is the godfather of traditional SUVs as we know them. Kia has done a solid job with the Borrego, but is it too expensive for a consumer in Kia's target market?
Don't be put off by the badge; this is a true SUV that is fully loaded – for under $40,000.
The 2009 Kia Borrego is a true body-on-frame 4x4 SUV that feels comfortable both on the road and off of it. The Borrego I am driving is equipped with the 3.8L 24 valve DOHC V6 which produces 276 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. This engine is connected to a five-speed automatic transmission. If you opt for the more powerful 4.6L V8 (337 hp/323 lb-ft of torque and a class-leading towing capacity of 7,500 lbs) then you get a six-speed automatic. Normally I find myself constantly wanting more power out of whatever I am driving (that is until Bugatti returns my calls, emails, faxes, pages, telegrams, messenger pigeons and smoke signals), yet this V6 felt perfectly adequate and comfortable both out on the highway and cruising around town. Coupled with the transmission the ride was surprisingly smooth and quiet.
The interior of the Borrego is clean, simple and well laid out.
The interior of the 2009 Kia Borrego EX is comfortable and functional. All controls are easily within reach of the driver and laid out in a manner that makes sense. The optional Infinity audio system features an FM/AM/CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary input and is displayed on the optional screen that comes with the Navigation system and is played through a 10-speaker (including a subwoofer) system. The leather driver's seat is 8-way power adjustable with lumbar support. The seats can be set to remember your setting, so if someone else has driven the car, you simply hit a button and everything goes back to the way you like it. The second row of seats can be split 60/40 to create more space. Beyond that is a standard third row of seats that can be folded down 50/50 to offer even more cargo room.
Plenty of room for you, your friends, your friend's friends and your groceries…
The 2009 Kia Borrego EX is an SUV that is capable, comfortable and loaded with great options; however, this pushes the price of the Kia I was driving to $36,295. That is a lot of money for a car in a segment of the market that is declining in popularity. I believe the Borrego would sell very well if we were back in 1998 and people were clamoring for SUVs. Unfortunately for this 2009 Kia, it may have arrived too late to the game. Don't be put off by the name though…if you are in the market for a full-size SUV, the 2009 Kia Borrego offers all the amenities of a $45,000+ vehicle for far less, it feels very well built and it comes with an amazing
Kia warranty just in case: 5 years/60,000 miles; the powertrain is warranted to an industry leading 10 years/100,000 miles.
For more information on all
2009 Kias please visit
NADAguides.com, the vehicle pricing and information leader since 1933.