Car Spotlight- Kia Borrego (2009)

I have seen three Borrego's in my lifetime and all of them were
in this copper-orange color.
(photo credit-car and driver)

Okay so picture this, it's 2009.  The housing market was collapsing, banks were failing, businesses were closing, the war in the Middle East was dragging on, and gas prices were sharply increasing despite starting the year at under $2.00 a gallon.

At this time, the auto industry was facing record-low sales as consumers were wary of making such a huge investment in a car that may or may not even be made anymore.  Those who did get a car (most likely on risky credit) were buying gas-sipping compacts, under-powered minivans or those DARN HYBRID cars.

So how did Kia Motors of South Korea respond to this new desire for a fuel-efficient family hauler? With a body-on-frame full size SUV that gets around 16 miles to the gallon...

When the truck first came out, I didn't understand why Kia chose to sell this car.  They already had similar sized crossover SUV called the Sorento that had more or less the same features and capacities...but at a smaller sticker price.  I was not alone, as I remember reading an article by Motor Trend where the staff was given one as a long term test vehicle, and they came to a similar conclusion.

Despite being the wrong vehicle at the wrong time, the Borrego wasn't bad for what it was.  It seats up to seven people, can tow up to 7000 lbs, and the maneuverability was pretty good for it's size.  It would have made a decent vehicle for road trips up to the cabin, towing the pontoon boat, or (realistically) ideal for rich housewives who like to take up more than one parking space at the Sam's Club.

But again...it was a vehicle that was fifteen years behind the times.  It was a truck that no one really asked for, especially in this economy.  The Borrego was pulled from the U.S Kia lineup after barely a year on the market.  Production of the Borrego continued however, as the truck is still being sold in middle-eastern nations where gas and oil are about as common as urine.