Borrego SUV, Kias first entry in the full-size SUV market, brings home another prestigious accolade. After it has been selected as the “Best Kept Secret” in the Autobytel.com 2009 Editors’ Choice Awards and it has been given the “Best-in-class sport utility vehicle” award by New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA), the Borrego has now also been rated the top SUV in the $25.000 to $35.000 category by Edmunds.com consumers’ Top Rated Vehicle awards for 2009.
Kia reported that Borrego received high customer remarks for its overall excellent value, impressive fuel economy ratings, towing capabilities and an extensive list of standard features.
“As one of the first vehicles to roll out under Kia’s exciting new design direction, accolades such as this Edmunds.com award, which provides feedback directly from owners, are evidence of Kia’s commitment to consumers as well as to offering vehicles with the content consumers want without breaking the pocketbook.” wrote Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing @ Kia Motors America in the official statement.
To determine the winners of the 19 vehicle categories, Edmunds.com invited owners to use the Consumer Reviews and Ratings feature, where they are able to evaluate their new or used vehicles in eight different categories, including performance, comfort, fuel economy, driving impressions, interior design, exterior design, build quality and reliability. Top-rated vehicles are those that received the highest average rating from visitors as of April 30.
Hopefully, a series of highly acclaimed accolades that Borrego has received since being available on the US market will help to bring more full-size SUV buyers to Kia showrooms. Only 500 Borregos get sold in the US each month on average, which is -let’s face it – less than Kia Motors America initially expected.
I remember reading somewhere that Kia hoped it could sell between 10.000 to 15.000 Boregos in the North America each year. The actual sales numbers fall far behind their initial goals. This is such a pity because Borrego deserves to do better than that. Afteral, it’s one of the greatest vehicles, if not the best, that Kia ever had in its range.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Thats great news especially cos I haven’t heard much about it recently.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
o i had seen a Mohave as a Police car once. i think they’re just testing fr now. gr8 news for borrego tho. i guess this cud help a slight bit with its sales (?).
June 19th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Let’s hope so, Boris. Kia might give the Borrego an advertising boost with the new model year. That’s when Borrego will receive a new H-shapped signature grille… at least that’s how Greg told us in the forums.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
about bloody time. the Borrego is such a under rated suv.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Phenomenal vehicle at a great price. Its considered the “Best Kept Secret” in its Segment.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:36 am
I wish it was considered the worst kept secret and that I could see hundreeds on the roads.
June 20th, 2009 at 2:33 am
the problem is SUVs aren’t exactly flavour of the month… esp. V8 powered SUVs
i can’t see this selling well outside of america given the pricing of the Borrego will be middle to upper… and KIA is not exactly a middle to upper brand in perception… besides I think the rest of the world will be happy with the 2.2 CRDi Sorrento
it sad because i think the Borrego is one of the better looking SUVs out there… it makes the Pajero and Prado types look a bit ugly
July 12th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I love my Borrego!!
Had it about a week and love it more every day–I look for reasons to buy it (sorry Al Gore 
). All three of my kids fit in their car seats in the second row, plenty of space for the double stroller AND groceries in the back and I don’t have to drive a boring minivan either! Sound system is awesome, so is climate control. I’ve been stopped twice and asked what kind of car it is, and everyone wants to peek inside too–all compliments all the time! Car is fun to drive too, and unlike the competition in the crossover class (that everyone loves to compare Borrego to–unfairly I might add) I’ll be able to take Borrego on the beach in the OBX on vacation without getting stuck! And critics need to lay off the V6, it’s plenty peppy unless you’re towing a huge boat or looking to pass a few semis in a row on the highway (and even then…). It’s breaking is faster and smoother than the Honda Pilot, less road noise and the snobs ought to shut up about the interior plastics because the more expensive Pilot looks like an old GM with all the cheap plastic on that dash! I do wish I saw more of them around, if only so the Kia DEALERS would stop acting surprised when someone wants to buy one! I tried all of them within a 100 mile radius of Charlotte and although we found one to sell us the car, they acted like they were doing US a favor to sell it to us. Kia corporate needs to put the smack-down on those dealers in a hurry or they’ll kill this car, which would be so wrong b/c it’s a GREAT car!
July 12th, 2009 at 9:39 am
They Need to Hurry up with that V8 Diesel in development, I hear its gets 32 MPG.
July 12th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Well if it gets here in the next three years, it will be my next car and I’ll pat myself on the back for leasing!! (and thumb my nose at those who diss the lease option).
May 15th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Hi Himi,
Please tell me why KIA has or will stop producing or selling the Borrego in the USA. Will KIA ha in mkind to bring a new Borrego for year 2011?
I will appreciate your reply
Batman
June 3rd, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Even though the awards are being announced or the kia tries to redesign the models according to consumers view, many of them don’t prefer them. I feel may be the expected sales rate is not reached or may be the reason for Kia to stop Borrego in USA is to deliver a better model.