Kia Borrego

[haven]

Kia introduced a new SUV model called the Borrego last Spring, and sample vehicles are now available to the automotive press. The Borrego is just about exactly the same size as the current Ford Explorer, which means it has enough length for a third row of seats for small people.

Hyundai and Kia quality has been very good the last couple of years. Kia offers a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. And Kia pricing is lower than its competition. For people who need an SUV, and can afford to drive a vehicle that gets 15 to 20 mpg, the Borrego is worth a look.

I'm interested in three aspects of the Borrego. It uses traditional body on frame construction, like a truck, instead of the car-like unibody. Its engine bay is big enough to carry a 4.6L V8 engine, borrowed from Hyundai's new Genesis luxury car. And the Borrego 4x4 has a low range and center locking differential, standard.

The last interesting tidbit, reported by AutoblogGreen, is that the Borrego will get a diesel powerplant sometime in the next couple of years.

The body on frame design means that Kia is serious about building trucks. A mid-size 4x4 pickup could be built using this frame and drivetrain, particularly the diesel.

A slightly larger, more powerful diesel pickup would be an interesting step up for Asian buyers, who already are crazy for pickups like the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu DMax, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara.

I suspect that Kia will be watching the sales success of the Mahindra 4x4 diesel pickup in USA, and will use this to guide the decision to introduce a pickup of their own.

Chip Haven

 

[Martinjmpr]

So is this basically a stretched Sorrento?

Of course, with $5 gas just around the corner, could they have picked a worse time to launch a body-on-frame 3-row 4x4?

 

[calamaridog]

So is this basically a stretched Sorrento?

I believe it's all new architecture. The V8 is smooth...

Of course, with $5 gas just around the corner, could they have picked a worse time to launch a body-on-frame 3-row 4x4?

Of course not, but it was already done so they couldn't axe it. Also, none of the mfg saw the gas prices going up so much/fast. The difference is, they are selling mostly cars that get 30mpg.

 

[chet]

very interesting. the new sorento is unibody so it could be the old versions frame structure or based off something like the Hyundai Terracan in Aus.

 

[BIGdaddy]

very interesting. the new sorento is unibody so it could be the old versions frame structure or based off something like the Hyundai Terracan in Aus.

personally i think Hyundai's are great cars. They've really stepped up to the plate as far as quality control, and i wouldn't hesitate to check one out if i was in the market for an econo-box or soft-roader like the borrego...

i love free-market competition!

 

[calamaridog]

The Borrego was designed by KIA. In Korea, they call it the Mojave instead. I am looking for the article I read about it, but I don't believe it shares any architecture with any Hyundai models.

This is NOT a soft roader. This is a full on ladder frame construction large SUV. 8.7 inches ground clearance stock. V8 (13/20 mpg) with a towing capacity of 7500 lbs. Diesel coming in 2010. 3 rows of seating. 2spd transfer case with hill descent.

Fully option for about $35,000 with a 10/100,000 powertrain warranty and a 6/60,000 bumper to bumper. Basically, it's a Land Cruiser, but less expensive and a better warrantyeepwall:

 

[calamaridog]

2009 Kia Borrego EX - Short Take Road Test
About 10 years late, Kia introduces a V-8–powered body-on-frame SUV.

BY AARON ROBINSON, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN SEGAL
September 2008


“Observe due measure,” opined the Greek poet Hesiod about 2700 years ago, “for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”

Hesiod may not translate well into Korean, perhaps why Kia chooses now to bring us the Borrego, an old fashioned ladder-framed, rough-riding sport-ute with three rows of seats. The well-appointed and modestly priced Borrego would have murdered the Ford Explorer around 10 B.C., as in “Before Crossovers.” Today, it feels just so five minutes ago.

Named for the windy Anza-Borrego Desert in southeast California, Kia’s big buckaroo arrives this fall on a stretched and strengthened version of the Kia Sorrento frame. It is everything people search for in heavy SUV iron: three rows of seats on a tall platform, high ground clearance with available four-wheel drive, and an optional 337-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 and six-speed automatic supplying a 7500-pound tow rating.

A 276-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 and five-speed automatic is the base boiler and affords 5000 pounds of towing capacity at a starting price of about $26,000. The V-8 model, using the same dual-overhead-cam, 32-valve V-8 as found in the new Hyundai Genesis luxury car, should begin at $30,000 when Kia announces prices closer to launch.

Steel control arms and links give the rear suspension independence, a must-have for handling—the Borrego doesn’t howl at on-ramps—ride comfort, and interior packaging. The result is an airy cabin, even on a full frame that jacks up the floor height. The middle bench has adjustable recline and slides forward to create more space for the tail gunners, so adult-size head and leg room can be found even in the third row. Roof vents blast icy air into all faces, and both back-seat rows split and fold flat. Convenient, but nothing new.

Any benefit of independent rear suspension to the ride is negated by the Borrego’s viciously stiff damping. It bobbled heads on the freeway and actually made a baby cry. Hell hath no fury like a parent with a headache, so Kia better soften the truck’s choppy ride before launch.

“If you should put even a little on a little, and should do this often, soon this too would become big,” warned Hesiod. To wit, a Borrego saddled with standard items such as power tilting and telescoping steering, three-row curtain airbags, and an integrated tow hitch, plus extras including the V-8, 18-inch wheels, rear-seat entertainment system, and four-wheel drive including a low-range crawler gear, weighs 4870 pounds.

The advertised fuel economy around town is 15 to17 miles per gallon, 21 to 22 on the highway, depending on whether it’s equipped with a V-6 or a V-8. The V-8 is a robust engine that served up 60 mph in 7.1 seconds but traveled just 16 miles on each of our $4 gallons.

As of this writing, dealer lots are carpeted with unsold vehicles more or less matching the Borrego’s description. Hesiod would be tut-tutting.


2009 Kia Borrego EX - Specs

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 5-door wagon

ESTIMATED PRICE AS TESTED: $34,000 (estimated base price: $31,000)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 282 cu in, 4627cc
Power (SAE net): 337 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 323 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.0 in Length: 192.1 in Width: 75.4 in Height: 69.5 in
Curb weight: 4870 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 18.3 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 7.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.5 sec @ 92 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 194 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.76 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city driving: 15 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg

 

[haven]

The notion that the Kia Borrego is a bargain version of the Land Cruiser is not so far-fetched. No doubt Kia took a close look at the Land Cruiser while designing the Borrego. Here are specs for the Borrego, with a few comparisons to the Land Cruiser.

------------------------------

Kia Borrego 4x4

price range $29,000 (V6) to $41,000 (V8 with options)
(Land Cruiser $64,100)

base 3.8L V6 276 hp, 267 lb-ft, 5 speed auto
optional 4.6L V8 337 hp, 323 lb-ft, 6 speed auto

5 year 60,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty
10 year, 120,000 miles drivetrain warranty
(Land Cruiser warranty 3 yrs 36,000 miles)


Specifications for Borrego V8 4x4

Wheelbase 114.0 in.
(Landcruiser 112)
Track front/rear 63.6 in./64.0 in.
Length, Width, Height 192.1 in.. L / 75.4 in. W / 71.3 in. H
(Land Cruiser 195/74/78)
Ground clearance 8.5 in.
(landcruiser 8.9 in)
Approach angle 27.3 degrees
Departure angle 22.5 degrees
(landcruiser 30/23)
Passenger volume 156.80 cu. ft.
Cargo volume 12.4 cu. ft. behind 3rd row
max cargo volume 97.6 cu ft

curb weight 4621 lbs
(land cruiser 5690)

towing capacity 7500 lbs
(land cruiser 8500)

EPA 15 city/21 highway, regular gas
(land cruiser 13/18)
fuel tank 20.6 gallons

turning circle 36.5 ft

tires P245/70R17, P265/60R18

all Borrego 4x4 models have:
full time all wheel drive
rear solid axle, coil springs
front double wishbone with coil springs
rack and pinion steering
two skid plates
disc brakes front and rear
downhill brake control
hill start assist
electronic stability control
4 wheel anti-lock brakes
tire pressure monitoring system
locking center differential
transfer case with low range
final drive: 3.36 to 1

Canada customers get an Eaton G80 locking rear differential
Not certain that USA customers do not.
If not, should be relatively inexpensive to order the parts

 

[mauricio_28]

What are the prospects for the Borrego when/if Toyota drops a diesel engine in the FJ or 4Runner, and Nissan in the Xterra?

 

[haven]

Hyundai (the parent company of Kia) has a 3.0L V6 on the way for its mid-size SUVs and large sedans. It reportedly produces about 330 lb.-ft. of torque, which is the same torque as the 4.6L V8 produces. The 3.0L V6 is expected to deliver 20 mpg in city driving, high 20s on the highway.

For comparison, the 3.0L V6 engines recently developed by Mercedes and VW/Audi produce close to 400 lb.-ft. So there may be easy ways for Hyundai to boost their V6 diesel's torque for use in the larger and heavier Borrego.

 

[NewFoundFreedom]

I have a Sorento and love it. I would look at that. I will at least take it for a spin when they hit the dealer lots!

 

[Gurkha]

The use of ladder frame in today's world of unibody construction means they are deadly serious. However if this doesn't take off we would loose another bargain and a gem from the looks of it. It would indeed be a pity. Maybe a nice V8 diesel would get interests flowing.

 

[calamaridog]

The Borrego is being sold at home in Korea as well as here in the US. I don't see any reason it would not start showing up in other places as well, as Hyundai/Kia has developed quite a large worldwide distribution network. They are the worlds 5th largest automaker after all.

 

[Gurkha]

The Borrego is being sold at home in Korea as well as here in the US. I don't see any reason it would not start showing up in other places as well, as Hyundai/Kia has developed quite a large worldwide distribution network. They are the worlds 5th largest automaker after all.

Unfortunately the highly promising Terracan sold here in India based on the older Pajero platform failed here miserably. The 3L 4CYL Detroit Diesel engine was prone to being unreliable and some of them would seize due to lubrication issues. Also it didn't prove too durable when taken off road under severe use.

 

[corax]

I can tell you after spending ~ 3,000 miles in a V6 Borrego that the V6 is no slouch either, although the V8 is supposed to get better fuel economy. Ride wise, on road it had a nice firm suspension which allowed me take off ramps at near the same speed as my wife's is300. off road it didn't do too bad on wash board roads, I only had RWD, so that's about all I did offroad. Fit and finish has nice and it didn't have any squeaks or rattles to speak of. For fuel economy, I was hitting 17-18mpg consistently driving like an idiot around greater LA and the So Cal highway system, steady cruise highway driving with the A/C blasting netted me around 20mpg +/-