The Kia Borrego could be a one-year wonder.
The South Korean automaker says the full-size Borrego sport-utility vehicle will not return to the U.S. for the 2010 model year.
The Borrego arrived on the market late in 2008, a victim of poor timing and bad luck. Kia had hoped to sell up to 20,000 Borregos each year, but the U.S. launch coincided with high gas prices and the financial crisis that together, slashed SUV sales to half their 2007 levels.
Kia sold 825 Borregos in November. For 2009 through the end of November, Kia has sold 9,510 Borrego SUVs in the U.S. The Borrego also is sold in its home market as the Mohave, and Korean sales have been more brisk.
While it's been a slow mover on American dealer lots, the Borrego's been relatively well received in the automotive press. TheCarConnection's experts gave the 2009 Borrego a rating of 7.8 out of 10. TCC praised the Borrego's smooth powertrain and expansive interior, while taking issue with its styling and some interior materials. TheCarConnection's Bottom Line: "The Borrego isn’t the type of vehicle that’s especially popular or fashionable at this time, but it’s a home run against the competition," which includes the current Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder.
Though the Borrego won't be sold as a 2010 model, a Kia spokesman tells us the company could not rule out a future return--leaving its fate "TBD."
The South Korean automaker says the full-size Borrego sport-utility vehicle will not return to the U.S. for the 2010 model year.
The Borrego arrived on the market late in 2008, a victim of poor timing and bad luck. Kia had hoped to sell up to 20,000 Borregos each year, but the U.S. launch coincided with high gas prices and the financial crisis that together, slashed SUV sales to half their 2007 levels.
Kia sold 825 Borregos in November. For 2009 through the end of November, Kia has sold 9,510 Borrego SUVs in the U.S. The Borrego also is sold in its home market as the Mohave, and Korean sales have been more brisk.
While it's been a slow mover on American dealer lots, the Borrego's been relatively well received in the automotive press. TheCarConnection's experts gave the 2009 Borrego a rating of 7.8 out of 10. TCC praised the Borrego's smooth powertrain and expansive interior, while taking issue with its styling and some interior materials. TheCarConnection's Bottom Line: "The Borrego isn’t the type of vehicle that’s especially popular or fashionable at this time, but it’s a home run against the competition," which includes the current Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder.
Though the Borrego won't be sold as a 2010 model, a Kia spokesman tells us the company could not rule out a future return--leaving its fate "TBD."
I reviewed the 2009 model, and personally had a high opinion of it. It appeared very well-made, with durable materials. Consumer Reports, though, didn't give it a particularly good reliability rating.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...orrego-lx.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...orrego-lx.html
i have said it from the start, I dont understand this Hyundais obsession with chasing Toyota and Lexus... this wont sell... and it did not.
why build 40k Kia? make great 15k, 20k, 25k cars... whats wrong with selling great 20k cars?
why build 40k Kia? make great 15k, 20k, 25k cars... whats wrong with selling great 20k cars?
Lexus Test Driver
yeah.
this looks just like a photo that was on lexus.com some time ago or somewhere anyway. Of 3 lexus hybrids I think.
this looks just like a photo that was on lexus.com some time ago or somewhere anyway. Of 3 lexus hybrids I think.
Lexus Champion
Quote:
Not really. The Tahoe Hybrid weight close to the 3 tonnesOriginally Posted by ISF84
What's nice about the Borrego V8 is its EPA rating on highway matches that of the Tahoe Hybrid - 20mpg. That's pretty impressive that a V8 is producing similar numbers to a hybrid V8.
Lexus Test Driver
The Borrego isn't a bad SUV for the price, I had a chance to ride in one and was fairly surprised with how well built it felt.
Came out a few years too late, people are too focused on car-based SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.
Lexus Champion
Looks like the KIA Borrego was a massive failure
Rumours are it will be cancelled.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/r...ate-uncertain/
There really isn't anything wrong with the Kia Borrego. When compared directly to its intended competition, the big, boxy, body-on-frame SUV is both attractive and fully class competitive, as we learned the first time we got any significant time in its driver seat. That said, there's no doubt that the Borrego's model launch was an object lesson in horrible timing.
The Borrego was Introduced in late 2008 as a 2009 model, right when the financial meltdown was starting to make some waves and the previous summer's record-high fuel prices were still emblazoned in our collective memory banks. This being the case, it's no surprise to learn from The Car Connection that Kia moved fewer than half (at 9,510 through November) of its hoped-for Borrego sales in 2009.
That said, we still didn't expect the Korean automaker to drop the Borrego entirely for the 2010 model year, which is exactly what's being reported by the boys over at The Car Connection. Apparently, no decision has yet been made as to whether the Borrego will make a return appearance after 2010 or if the square-jawed SUV will be a one-and-done proposition.
Either way, for the keen bargain hunter, there's a boatload of cash on the hood of the 2009 model year. Kia is presently offering $3,000 in cash back on all trim levels, plus the availability of numerous other incentives. The rundown: $1,500 for trading in a competitor's vehicle (everything from the Buick Enclave to the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited qualifies); $1,500 for owner loyalty, $400 for recent college grads, $500 for military service, and $300 for Great Dane rescue shelter workers. We made that last one up.
Rumours are it will be cancelled.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/r...ate-uncertain/
There really isn't anything wrong with the Kia Borrego. When compared directly to its intended competition, the big, boxy, body-on-frame SUV is both attractive and fully class competitive, as we learned the first time we got any significant time in its driver seat. That said, there's no doubt that the Borrego's model launch was an object lesson in horrible timing.
The Borrego was Introduced in late 2008 as a 2009 model, right when the financial meltdown was starting to make some waves and the previous summer's record-high fuel prices were still emblazoned in our collective memory banks. This being the case, it's no surprise to learn from The Car Connection that Kia moved fewer than half (at 9,510 through November) of its hoped-for Borrego sales in 2009.
That said, we still didn't expect the Korean automaker to drop the Borrego entirely for the 2010 model year, which is exactly what's being reported by the boys over at The Car Connection. Apparently, no decision has yet been made as to whether the Borrego will make a return appearance after 2010 or if the square-jawed SUV will be a one-and-done proposition.
Either way, for the keen bargain hunter, there's a boatload of cash on the hood of the 2009 model year. Kia is presently offering $3,000 in cash back on all trim levels, plus the availability of numerous other incentives. The rundown: $1,500 for trading in a competitor's vehicle (everything from the Buick Enclave to the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited qualifies); $1,500 for owner loyalty, $400 for recent college grads, $500 for military service, and $300 for Great Dane rescue shelter workers. We made that last one up.
Fizzboy7
Lexus Test Driver
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I like it. It's conservative in a brawny way without any excessive styling gimmicks. The way a large SUV should be.
Quote:
The interior may not be lavish, but is done with high-quality materials. That is more than I can say for a lot of vehicles today.Originally Posted by lex
the interior is like any other KIA/Hyundai - nothing special AT ALL