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.

(more…)

2010 Kia Soul and Borrego included in Kelley Blue Book’s weekly “5 Great Deals” list  

Kelley Blue Book included Kia’s brand-new 2010 Soul crossover and 2009 Borrego SUV in it’s weekly “5 Great Deals” reported Kia Motors America just recetly.

The two newest vehicles to join Kia Motors’ ever-expanding lineup were lauded for offering attractive pricing on top of an impressive combination of capabilities and value.”In economically challenging times such as these consumers are looking for vehicles that offer the total package,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America.

“Our entire vehicle line offers desirable content and packaging with pricing and standard safety features that surprise and delight. We are pleased with how well the Soul and Borrego are being received by the public and the press and the recognition they are getting from a well-known consumer and industry resource like Kelley kbb.com.”

(more…)

Kia Borrego has just been on sale for less than six months in US market and already received it’s first award. A couple of days ago, Kia Motors America announced Borrego has been selected as the “Best Kept Secret” in the 2009 Editors’ Choice Awards.

Equipped with fuel-efficient V8 or V6 engines, Borrego was chosen for its impressive combination ofcapabilities, space and comfort.

Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing at Kia Motors America said: “Borrego continues to gain strong recognition in the press and among consumers, and its Autobyte selection is further proof of Borrego’s value package. It is a reflection of Kia Motors’ new design direction and a pointer to more outstanding product offerings to come.” Read more about this award at Kia Motors America website. Click here

The 2008 Los Angeles International auto show brings us the world premiere of the Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Today, Kia pulled the wraps off it’s latest eco-friendly concept car, which takes it’s hydrogen fuel cell program to the next level and marks a major technological step forward in terms of vehicle’s performance and efficiency of the fuel-cell vehicle manufacturing process.

Equipped with fourth generation of Kia’s fuel-cell electric system, the Borrego features numerous innovations that bring the Borrego FCEV higher performance, a greatly extended driving range and a cold-weather starting capability to operate in sub-zero temperatures.

Available with two and three tank systems with 70MPa pressure, the Borrego FCEV’s power plant is located under the center floor and features a higher output horsepower fuel cell and a new 450-volts Supercapacitor .

The brand new fuel-cell system boasts an additional 47 horsepower of power to produce a peak output of 154 horsepower (a 44-percent increase compared to the previous generation) and propel the vehicle to a top speed of 100 miles per hour (mph) while boasting a best-in-class system efficiency of 62 percent.

With a 202-liter hydrogen storage tank located underneath the vehicle and ahead of the rear wheels, this latest Kia Motors research vehicle has a range of about 426 miles (685 kilometers).

Because of the use of aluminum body shell components, the Borrego FCEV has a power-to-weight ratio similar to the current production model SUV. The FCEV also retains the roomy cabin, low noise levels and overall driving refinement of its new gasoline/diesel-powered sibling.

Click image to enlarge!

(more…)

Although not officially confirmed (yet), we have just received a tip from a trusting source close to Kia Motors America that the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, which kicks off on November 21st, will mark a premiere for two new Kia vehicles.

Taking center stage at L.A. Auto Show will, of course, be the Soul, Kia’s first urban crossover. It will be revealed in it’s final production form for the first time in US market. But that will not be the sole Kia’s show-stopper at this year’s auto event.

Joining the Soul, will be a Borrego based, hydrogen powered concept car. Dubbed the Kia Borrego FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) concept, this is already the fourth generation of the FCEV program developed by Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.

Outfitted with a 154 horsepower (115-kilowatt) fuel cell system capable of a 315 miles range (510 miles), the Borrego FCEV features important strides in fuel cell technology, including a sub-zero starting capability, which enables the vehicle to start operating after being exposed to -30 degrees Celsius temperatures. Other technical advancements include a high output fuel cell and a new lithium ion polymer battery.

As a part of it’s FCEV testing program, Kia will put a low-number fleet of fuel cell powered Borregos on the roads in early 2010.

Closer it’s official debut gets, more official information will be released, so stay with us, to get all the details on the exciting Borrego FCEV concept car!

Would you like to receive Kia news to your e-mail? Subscribe to KIA-WORLD news by Email

The 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association -SEMA auto show opened it’s doors yesterday and on the same day Kia has also revealed what models had been brought to the show. Just in case you missed our yesterday’s report, Kia has put four striking concept models on display to it’s Las Vegas stand and for sure each of them will be gaining it’s fair share of attraction.

Since we know pretty much everything on the Soul Burner and the Koup concept, we will first focus on Borrego Limited concept and a modified version of the Rio5. Starting with the first one, here we have a set of official pictures from Kia Motors America.

Making it’s official debut yesterday, the Borrego Limited concept brings a host of chrome exterior features with plenty of bling on the custom shaped H-grille, front bumper, side mirrors, door handles and fender vents.

To project an assertive and sophisticated stance, Borrego Limited concept has been lowered and equipped with fancy five-spoke alloy-wheels in the size of 285/45 R22! Along with all the chrome bling, monochrome black paint and limousine-tinted windows, Borrego has been perfectly outfitted for, as Kia says, cruising down the Vegas strip.

Inside, Borrego Limited concept benefits from leather upholstery with alligtor skin pattern and a sound system backing up a TV and navigation system. 

Click image to enlarge! 

Boris sent us an interesting SUV comparison report from his homeland, the United Arab Emirates. Their very popular auto-magazine issued a comparison test among three popular body-on-frame built SUVs. One of them was Kia Mohave, known as Borrego in USA, and they pitched it against it’s two main rivals, the second generation Honda Pilot and the good old Ford Explorer.

Compared in several different areas, such as exterior design, interior styling and driving. Kia Mohave beats or equals both contenders. It also offers better off-roading capabilities, packs more standard equippement and is competitevily priced. It’s a clear winner among compared SUVs. Thanks for this report Boris!

Verdict
All three SUVs are fairly accomplished, but they have their share of drawbacks too. The Honda isn’t very capable off-road but it’s very well built and packs a load of kit. That said, it is also the most expensive. On the flip side Honda will hold it’s value better than the Kia or Ford.

The Mohave, meanwhile, is a fine first attempt from the South Korean Kia and packs a huge amount of kit as standard. It’s fairly competent off-road, but suffers from poor brakes.

It’s cheaper than Honda, but costs more than Ford. Although it comes with Kia’s bullet-proof warranty, it’s too early to determine it’s resale value compared to it’s rivals.

Finally, Ford explorer is the cheapest, but doesn’t get much standard kit. It has acceptable dynamics, but is let down by staid styling and a dull interior.

If I had to choose, I’d pick the Mohave. It’s more expensive than the Ford, but you get a lot more for your money. All-around, it offers the best compromise in terms of price and performance.

Click image to enlarge!

The all-new 2009 Kia Borrego has achieved a five-star crash safety rating, the highest rating possible, for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is the first time Borrego has been tested by the government agency.

The seven-passenger Borrego is the latest entry in the midsize SUV segment and offers the same high level of standard safety equipment that has become synonymous with the Kia brand as well as additional features exclusive to the midsize SUV. Standard safety features include: advanced airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags for all three rows and driver’s knee airbag (V8 models only); four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control system (TCS); tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS); electronic brake distribution (EBD); and a brake assist system (BAS). (more…)

Last week, Kia Motors America invited more than hundred journalists and automotive press reporters to the Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington, where the company has held an official presentation of the all new Borrego SUV to the U.S. media.

Less than a week has passed since then and first test drive reports are coming in sight. The reviews you can read so far are certainly very positive and highlight the Borrego in terms of refinement, looks and (towing) performance. They also praise Borrego for its combination of the premium power and fuel efficiency, combined with luxury appointments that are not typical for a mid-priced SUVs.

I have garnered some reviews that I find the most interesting. Not to violate the copyright rules, only quotes from test drives were posted in this post. If you want to read complete reviews just hit the link you see at the end of each quote and you’ll be redirected to chosen Borrego review. Each of the reviews posted below includes lots of high quality photos so make sure you hit the jump and continue your read.

(more…)

Long anticipated Borrego mid-size SUV is finally here and you can have it for five bucks under $27.000. The base LX model, powered by 3.8L V6 engine mated to the five speed automatic transmission, offers a complete safety equipment (including seven airbags), ABS and ESP, along with Downhill Brake Control, Hill Assist Control, 17-inch tires, USB/auxiliary input jack, side mirror turn signal indicator and cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted control buttons. It’s price starts at $26.995.

Standard items that makes you special for opting up to an EX version include 18-inch tires with chrome alloy wheels, dual power heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, driver’s knee airbag, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, steering-wheel-mounted audio control buttons, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and metal-film interior trim. (more…)

Kia Motors America (KMA) continues to broaden its product line-up with the arrival of the all-new seven-passenger Borrego midsize SUV. Proving you don’t have to sacrifice sophistication, convenience, quality or size for impressive value, Borrego enters the North American market offering unmatched power capabilities and luxury at an unbeatable price.

Representing what a midsize SUV is capable of offering, Borrego is poised to become a powerful contender in its segment. While some competitor vehicles require premium unleaded gasoline, Borrego runs on regular unleaded and achieves class-leading fuel economy of 15/22 city/highway for its V8 with two-wheel drive, and a respectable 15/20 city/highway for the four-wheel drive. (more…)