Introducing the 2009 Kia Borrego
Today’s automotive trend is like moving away from big, body-on-frame V-8 sport/utilities to more compact crossovers. And for that, Kia has come up with 2009 Kia Borrego which is a V-8 model for North America. It features a body-on-frame and a capacity of seven passengers. Its V-8 engine is like that of the Hyundai’s Genesis which is a 4.6 liter engine that produces about 375 horses.
“It’ll bring the new Hyundai V-8 here first, though given what Hyundai says about the Genesis’s on-sale date, it looks like a dead-heat. And therein lies the issue: timing” said Kia.
Gas was under$2 per gallon and automakers were like expecting for a big truck boom when the Kia was developing the Borrego about five years ago. It was also the time when Toyota was working on its new, bigger-than-ever Sequoia. Luckily enough, although Kia didn’t have initial dimensions, the Borrego is essentially smaller than Sequoia. There will also be Borrego models that will come with V-6 engine, most likely the 3.3 liter that can produce 242 horsepower. A new clean-diesel will be added to the lineup after the Borrego’s summer launch, although this will not be realized quickly.
Kia announced that the Borrego’s platform is unique, although it’s not like a stretched Sorento’s body-on-frame, also featuring an independent rear suspension. The company further said that the public should expect Borrego to be virtually as good as off-road vehicle like the Sorento and exceptional on the road refinement. The Borrego will also employ all-wheel drive system with standard electronically switched part-time with a low range or optional Torque-On-Demand full-time with a low range.
About Borrego’s external looks, the model seems like a boxier and more conservative Sorento, with twin hood bulges and a Nissanesque tail. It is basically a handsome KIA model whose interior proves that Kia and Hyundai, a sister company are spending a lot of money and rapidly requiring interior quality. Although Borrego’s perforated leather seats are not as soft like that of the Mercedes Benz, they are good enough as compared to the Japanese-made seats and those found in Saturn and Chevrolet. Moreover, the model’ s switchgear looks and feels of quality and panel fit and parting lines are tight.
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