Photos of Kia's new 7-passenger Borrego SUV have shown up on the internet ahead of its official release at the Detroit Auto Show.
The 7-seater body-on-frame SUV is going to be on sale here in the US early next summer as a 2009 model. The Borrego is going to come standard with a V6 and a V8 will be optional.
Is Kia late to the party, since everyone is moving from body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers?
Full Story: eGMCarTech
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Comments (17)
Looks pretty good. Should be an interesting alternative to the Toyota Sequioa.
Posted by SEALBoy | November 28, 2007 1:27 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 13:27
WOW.... That is one awesome vehicle.
Kia is really pulling out the guns here.
The key looks like a BMW key with the same style start/stop function.
Power everything with dual and rear climate control.
Very upscale. Looks like the luxury manufactures out there are going to have to really justify their price difference and name isn't going to cut it.
As to the author's comment on Body on Frame, it is moot. Some people need the strength of this type of build.
Posted by Andrew | November 28, 2007 1:41 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 13:41
Apparently Andrew works for Kia.
Posted by Jared | November 28, 2007 2:06 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 14:06
@Andrew,
Yes, some people need the strength of body-on-frame, but of those that need to tow 10,000 lbs, how many will buy a vehicle with a standard V6 and an optional V8 that probably won't have anywhere near as much torque as some of the domestics have?
Posted by Jason Litka | November 28, 2007 2:09 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 14:09
Body-on-frame has nothing to do with strength. It has to do with economics. It's cheaper to build a full size SUV with this design rather than using the unibody construction often found in crossovers. So long as people still care about the price of their full size SUV, body-on-frame will be sticking around for a while. The trade-off is obviously a more truck-like ride. The Mercedes GL450 is a good example of a full size SUV based on unibody construction. It is not a crossover.
The author is retarded. No, the world of Full Size SUV's is not moving to Crossovers. That's what makes a Crossover a crossover and a Full size, well, full sized.
Sequoia's, Armada's, Durango's, Expeditions, Escalade's, Tahoe's etc. will never be crossovers. Perhaps, as manufacturing costs improve, they can benefit from unibody construction.
Posted by Greg | November 28, 2007 2:35 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 14:35
Crossovers will definitely become a larger part of the market than full size, but I agree with Greg that Body on Frame won't disappear for some time, not until perhaps carbon fiber bodies become economical. Why? Exactly as Greg said: they keep costs down and allow manufacturers to retain the higher profit margins associated with large SUVs.
Unibody will definitely take over, but some people do actually believe body on frame is by nature tougher than unibody and therefor better suited to towing. The GL450 is definitely a good example of modern full-sizes based on unibody though. Good point again there Greg, the GL450 tows as much as many of the competitor full size luxury SUVs, but is still unibody.
Also, Jason, the new Sequoia with the 5.7L V8 from Toyota produces over 400ft-lbs of torque at only 2000 rpm or so. Compare that to the measly 320 or so ft-lbs from GM V8s at 4000 rpm+.
Posted by Allen | November 28, 2007 2:59 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 14:59
It looks like a nice execution by Kia. However, I will stand by my post several weeks back that Kia is introducing this vehicle (however nice and competent it may be) to a marketplace that has diminished demand for s full-size SUV. If this were the late nineties, it would make gooe economic sense. Now, domestic or import, I see alot of these vehicles lanquishing on dealer lots.
Posted by longdxcommuter | November 28, 2007 4:03 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 16:03
I see these with 22" wheels and blacked out windows before too long. A cheap alternative to those who want a Lexus and can't afford it.
Posted by Gary | November 28, 2007 4:10 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 16:10
As the world braces for the demise of the US Dollar, countries are going to do what ever it takes to safe guard themselves. Kia makes vehicles for their markets that the US does not see. This vehicle is a good example that they can make something that the US makes.
Also, they have boats, etc over there too. So maybe they want to drive something their country makes instead of a GM product which seems to litter that place all over.....
As to the comment on the GL, I had a 07 ML and it was a peice of crap.
Creaking, squeeking, replaced brakes for unknown defect, numerous unexplained issues.... I ended up trading it in for different manufacture's car......
Posted by Andrew | November 28, 2007 4:14 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 16:14
That's gotta hurt GM's groin to see KIA making nicer products then them..... OUCHIES.
Posted by Carnut57 | November 28, 2007 4:45 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 16:45
"Gary:
I see these with 22" wheels and blacked out windows before too long. A cheap alternative to those who want a Lexus and can't afford it."
Gary,
What about people who can afford a Lexus but choose to purchase this because they don't want to ruin a Lexus or other prem cars?
Posted by Andrew | November 28, 2007 5:18 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 17:18
All the comments about KIA hurting GM and any other car manufacturer hurting GM would be moot if the anti-capitalist practice of UNIONS didn't cripple their business. If you've never seen a highschool dropout greasemonkey make $120K/year take a tour of one of their many Detroit assembly plants.
Posted by Bobo | November 28, 2007 5:19 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 17:19
I thought Oil was scarce? If so, why do V6's and V8's keep getting produced in mass? Must be because it's all a SCAM!
Hehehe. Other than that, I wouldn't wish this thing on anyone!
Posted by More Gas Guzzlers? | November 28, 2007 5:40 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 17:40
@Andrew:
"What about people who can afford a Lexus but choose to purchase this because they don't want to ruin a Lexus or other prem cars?"
They'll drive the car and enjoy it. I wasn't knocking the car, my wife has a Sonata and we love it. I was simply saying it'll be ghettofied in no time due to the cost and look.
Posted by Gary | November 28, 2007 9:41 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 21:41
I really like that badge they have on it... it is much better than the KIA badge on their other cars.
Sounds kind of priss, but the KIA badge just turns me off to their cars, amongst other things.
Posted by Joan of Arc | November 28, 2007 10:56 PM
Posted on November 28, 2007 22:56
Just stay out of the fast lane please.
Posted by Kell | November 29, 2007 11:39 AM
Posted on November 29, 2007 11:39
The button to the left of the Auto/4/2wd dial, is that suspension raising/lowering?
Posted by Tony | November 30, 2007 7:02 PM
Posted on November 30, 2007 19:02