The first Kia vehicle to offer a V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission is a sensibility-inspired midsize SUV. Borrego’s interior presentation shows a practical approach to its layout of buttons and other interface points. Standard treatments include an AM/FM/CD/MP3 6-speaker audio system, USB and auxiliary input jack, cruise control, and air conditioning. A sliding/flip-down second row seat aids the ingress/egress path to the third row seat. Second and third row seats can be folded flat to provide more than 97 cubic feet of space. (When second and third row seats are upright, the cargo space tally is 12.4 cubic feet.) Third row passengers have their own cupholders and stow bins, and all three seating rows have headrests.

Borrego’s standard 3.8-liter V6 provides 276 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 267 of peak torque at 4400 rpm. The V6 mates to a 5-speed electronically controlled transmission. The SUV offers a 4.6-liter V8, producing 337 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 323 pounds-feet of peak torque at 3500 rpm, mated to a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Borrego’s engine choices can be paired with either a 2WD or 4WD system. A hydro-formed, body-on-frame structure with eight cross-members is complimented by a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. The Borrego EX 4x4 with V8 powerplant collects estimated per gallon fuel economy of 15 city and 20 highway and carries a MSRP of $32,995.