2009 Kia Borrego

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What is it?
2009 Kia Borrego

What's special about it?
Who says gas prices are too high and SUVs are on the way out? Certainly not Kia. The 2009 Kia Borrego SUV is the company's biggest vehicle ever and its optional 4.6-liter V8 is also its biggest engine ever. Bad timing? Maybe, but Ford sold 137,000 Explorers last year, so midsize SUVs aren't dead just yet.

Based on the Mesa concept shown in Detroit three years ago, the Borrego measures 192.1 inches long and 75.4 inches wide. That makes it about an inch longer than Ford's midsize Explorer and roughly 2 inches wider. The Borrego's 114-inch wheelbase is also within an inch of the Explorer.

The body-on-frame chassis uses a fully independent suspension with coil-over dampers at each corner. According to Kia, a set of 18-inch wheels will be optional. Expect the stock rims to measure 17 inches in diameter and have a considerably less stylized look than the two-tone six-spoke design of the optional 18s.

Base-model Borregos get a 3.8-liter V6 hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission. Kia hasn't said how much power it will produce, but the same V6 used in Kia's Amanti sedan is rated at 264 horsepower. Step up to the V8 and Kia says you'll enjoy "more than 300 hp" from its new 4.6-liter engine. It will be hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission — another first for Kia — which will give the Borrego a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.

Both two- and four-wheel-drive versions will be available when it goes on sale this summer. In addition to standard stability and traction control, the Borrego will also offer downhill-assist control (DAC) and hill-assist control (HAC) to keep the Borrego steady while climbing and descending in the dirt.

Like just about every other midsize SUV on sale these days, the Borrego has three rows of seats to accommodate up to seven passengers. In yet another Kia first, a DVD-based navigation system with a rearview camera will be optional along with Sirius Satellite Radio and power-adjustable pedals. The standard equipment list includes full-length side curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

What's Edmunds' take?
It doesn't bring much to the party that isn't already there, but a low enough price might be enough to convince some buyers that it's a better deal than a Toyota 4Runner. — Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor