Is it too late in the gas-price game for one more midsize SUV?

Page 2 of 4

Models, Pricing & Equipment

Broken down to its essentials, the 2009 Kia Borrego lineup consists of three variants -- the LX and EX (available in Kia showrooms now), and the Limited which goes on sale this fall. LX and EX models are powered with a choice of V-6 and V-8 engines mated to automatic transmissions and available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. The Limited receives only the V-8 and 4wd.

Priced to aid you in the decision-making process, the Kia Borrego LX starts at a highly affordable $26,245 and reaches to $30,995 for the 4wd V-8 version. The added niceties of the EX model start it at $27,995 for rear-drive models and top out at $32,995 for a 4wd V-8 Borrego.

Displacing 3.8 liters, the Borrego V-6 engine produces a respectable 276 horsepower and 5,000-lb. towing capacity. In 2wd form, fuel-economy figures are 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. The 4wd LX mpg is slightly less, at 16/21 city/highway.

Surprising fuel-saving news, however, comes courtesy of 2009 Kia Borregos equipped with the 4.6-liter V-8. In rear-drive form, the SUV gets 15 mpg in the city and a class-topping 22 mpg on the open road. Why? It's the result of the V-8 engine's six-speed automatic transmission (versus a five-speed automatic for the V-6). Kia tells us that the V-8 sets two other in-class records as well: the top horsepower number (337) and top towing capacity (7,500 lbs.). And all of this is done on regular gas.

All 2009 Kia Borrego models share body-on-frame construction that rides on an independent-front/multilink-rear suspension. Stopping power is supplied by 4-wheel disc brakes. On V-6 Borrego models, those brakes are housed in 17-inch alloy wheels and tires, with 17-inch chrome wheels optional on EX version. V-8 Borregos all ride on 18-inch alloy wheels, except for the Limited whose wheels are chrome.

Borrego Limited models are also set off by their body-color bumpers.

Next Page: 2009 Kia Borrego Interior & Safety
Previous Page: 2009 Kia Borrego Overview
Test Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego EX