• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Kia Borrego - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Kia Borrego ranks 19 out of 26 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 24 published reviews and test drives of the Kia Borrego, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Named after a state park in California and meaning "bighorned sheep," the Borrego is Kia's brand new midsize SUV -- and the manufacturer's largest offering yet. With body-on-frame construction, the seven-passenger Borrego stands out from the car-based SUV pack and offers low-range gearing for true off-road performance.

In a time when "green" is the word of the day and automakers are scrambling to get more fuel-efficient vehicles into production, Kia's newest offering is...an off-road-ready SUV? Strange as it may seem, the 2009 Kia Borrego offers good value and surprising quality. "Though the construction seems out of date, the Borrego follows the Kia playbook, offering modern features, amenities and interior quality along with a generous warranty -- all at a low price," says Cars.com.

But what about fuel economy? Well, the two-wheel-drive model's 18 mpg combined rating isn't great when compared to smaller SUVs, but it stacks up well within the midsize class. For those who need an affordable truck-based SUV with room for a family, the Borrego just might do the trick. But others may want to look elsewhere for more fuel-efficient, smoother-riding models.

Other SUVs to Consider

For the ultimate in fuel efficiency, consider the Toyota Venza. It costs $500 less than the Kia, and its 19/26 mpg city/highway fuel economy easily bests the Borrego's 17/21 mpg rating. Great fuel economy in a three-row vehicle is hard to come by, but the Chevrolet Traverse manages it. Although its city fuel efficiency is the same as the Borrego's, it costs only a few thousand dollars more and achieves a higher 24 mpg highway fuel economy.

Details: Kia Borrego

The Borrego comes in two trims -- base LX, EX and Limited. Both two- and four-wheel drive are available. Buyers should note that Kia has decided not to bring back the Borrego for 2010 as a result of low demand. However, they do expect to produce a 2011 model. Since demand is down, buyers interested in the Borrego may be able to get a heck of a deal on any leftover 2009 models.

• "From the flats of the lush valleys to the climb up some nifty, twisty roads to reach a beautiful lake for some fishing -- this is a tough job -- I was pleased and a little awed by the luxury Kia has been able to inject into this vehicle. It's impressive, damn impressive in and out. Which for some dumb reason, difficult for most manufacturers of SUVs to accomplish. Kia got it right." -- The Auto Channel
• "I found few areas of this seven-passenger SUV worth of any consideration. It's a brand new model but it's already out dated." -- Detroit News
• "The Borrego has a good list of the things midsize-SUV buyers want at a good price, plus the ridiculously long warranty: 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain plus other coverage standard on all Kias." -- AutoWeek
• "Some versions of the Kia Borrego are pretty pricey, but it's a very capable truck-based SUV." -- USA Today
• "The new Borrego features a combination of premium power and fuel efficiency combined with luxury appointments that are not typical for a mid-priced, mid-sized ride from any manufacturer, much less from Kia." -- Left Lane News
• "Rag on the launch timing all you want, but given the Borrego's mixture of comfort, capability and value, we expect it to find buyers when it goes on sale this summer -- no matter how dirty a word 'SUV' is these days." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Kia's new SUV is a darn fine one. While corporate cousin Hyundai went the unibodied crossover route with the Veracruz, Kia wanted something different, with real off-road capability, an optional V-8, and some towing capacity. The Borrego's platform architecture is new from scratch. A pickup truck variant was in the works, but that, as you can imagine, has been scrubbed at least for now." -- Truck Trend

Borrego Performance - 7.8 (Good)

The 2009 Kia Borrego's performance reviews are a mixed bag. Some highly commend the truck-based SUV for offering a surprisingly smooth ride. However, other testers can't get past the Borrego's stiff suspension and bouncy ride compared to its crossover rivals. "In Borrego's favor is that it feels tauter and crisper than most truck products," says USA Today. "Both the V-8 and V-6 early-production test trucks were sporty and satisfying to drive. Not as refined as a well-done crossover, but commendable nonetheless." Read More

Borrego Exterior - NA

The all-new Borrego doesn't look so new on the outside. In fact, most reviewers say it looks like most other boxy SUVs -- which isn't necessarily a con. "Overall, a nice design, typical of Korean production vehicles, that neither shocks with originality nor bores with blandness," comments About.com. "Borrego will not set hearts racing, nor stomachs churning, with its exterior." Read More

Borrego Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)

The Kia Borrego's interior is a pleasant surprise. Reviewers offer high praise for its high-quality materials and stylish design, as well as spacious seven-passenger seating. "The more time you spend in the 2009 Kia Borrego, the more you want to forget the gas mileage issue," says Edmunds. "The overall design and materials quality of this cabin sets a new standard for the Kia lineup. Grain patterns are painstakingly matched from dash to door panels to seats, and the red-and-white instrumentation looks slick." On the down side, the two-seat third row may not be suitable for adults. Read More

Borrego Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)

The 2009 Kia Borrego comes with plenty of high-end safety features and receives excellent crash test scores from the federal government. Read More

Borrego Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Kia Borrego reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Kia Borrego comes with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. Read More