For the 2009 model year, the Kia Borrego was unveiled as the brand’s largest SUV in the U.S. in July 2008[10]. The Borrego’s American lineup was as follows:
Although the LX Kia Borrego was the entry-level model, it came well-equipped for its $26,245 MSRP base price. It had a 3.8 L V6 engine with an automatic transmission, alloy wheels, cloth interior, keyless entry, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player, USB/iPod and auxiliary audio input connections, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, six speakers, and air conditioning. Optional features included a 4.6 L V8 engine.
The Kia Borrego’s top-tier EX trim added features like an AM/FM stereo with a six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer, USB/iPod and auxiliary audio input jacks, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, an Infinity premium sound system with an external amplifier and a rear-mounted subwoofer, a power sunroof, and dual-zone climate control for a base price of $27,995. A 4.6 L V8 engine and heated dual front bucket seats were available extras.
With a base price of $37,995 MSRP, the Limited was the top-of-the-line Kia Borrego model and added features like a standard 4.6 L V8 engine, leather seating surfaces, power dual front bucket seats, upgraded alloy wheels, heated dual front bucket seats, optional touch-screen GPS navigation with voice recognition, and a Homelink transmitter.
For all versions, Bluetooth hands-free calling and wireless stereo audio streaming were options.
The Kia Borrego was discontinued in the United States in 2009 because to poor sales, and in 2010 manufacture of the brand-new, second-generation 2011 Kia Sorento commenced in West Point, Georgia. The Borrego only had one model year in the United States: 2009. All the features of the Kia Borrego were available, including a new third-row seating option for all models except the Base model, despite the absence of a V8 engine in favor of brand-new Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) and V6 engines.
The 4.6 L Tau V8 was removed from the lineup in other markets because of the time’s escalating oil prices.
In This Article...
Why did Kia Borrego production stop?
The Borrego, which debuted in 2008 as a 2009 model, was Kia’s first sizable three-row SUV and at the time its largest in the United States. It bears the name of California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
It quickly failed because of the timing. In 2008, some U.S. petrol stations charged $4 per gallon, and a recession was just getting started. SUVs built on trucks were losing sales to more fuel-efficient crossover SUVs. The Borrego’s poor fuel efficiency made it unattractive to consumers.
Its two engine choices produced comparable results. The V6 achieved mpg ratings of 16 in the city and 21 on the highway, while the V8 achieved mpg ratings of 15 in the city and 20 on the highway. In 2008, those seeking a sizable, thirsty SUV didn’t want one from Kia.
Only until 2009 was the Borrego available for purchase in the US. In 2011, Kia quickly replaced the Borrego with the unibody-built Kia Sorento, which had a contemporary look. It had front-wheel drive, smaller, more fuel-efficient engines, and a more pleasant ride. The Borrego is an uncommon car in modern times due to its short production run of only two years and low sales.
Kia stopped producing the Borrego when?
After the second (and final) model year of the Borrego in 2009, Kia introduced a larger Sorento in 2011 to take its place.
Will the Kia Mohave be sold in America?
The inside has had a thorough renovation and is available with five, six, or seven seats. The cabin now has quilted Nappa leather, which comes in three color options. In addition to allowing the Kia to slow down for traffic, navigation-based cruise control also lowers speed while, for instance, approaching a motorway off-ramp.
The second row of pews in six-seater variants has heating and ventilation features. The Mohave’s lavish use of wood trim on the dashboard and door cards adds to its upscale appearance.
Long-standing rumors claimed that Kia was developing a body-on-frame off-road vehicle that could go head-to-head with the Toyota Land Cruiser and serve as the foundation for a midsize truck. Unfortunately, the Mohave isn’t it, so it’s not really regrettable that it won’t be arriving in the United States.
Does Kia produce big SUVs?
The 2022 Kia Telluride takes the top spot in our rankings for midsize SUVs, in part because of its roomy and luxurious interior, big cargo area, and cutting-edge technology.
Who produces the Borrego?
The 2009 Kia Borrego is the biggest SUV the manufacturer has ever sold in the United States. It’s also their first car to come with a V8 and a six-speed transmission, which should appeal particularly to people who tow.
Is Telluride the same as the Kia Mohave?
In the US, you have to decide between the Sorento and the Telluride if you want a Kia SUV that can off-road. These two are different in size, but sadly both have unibody construction, which isn’t the best for demanding settings. Traditionalists still favor body-on-frame SUVs as their weapon of choice.
But did you know that Kia formerly offered the Borrego, a body-on-frame SUV, for sale in the US? Due to low sales, it was taken off the market in 2010 and did not come back. However, it persisted as the 2023 Kia Mohave in Korea.
Gallery: 2023 Kia Mohave
The Kia Mohave is now undergoing its second makeover based on the Masterpiece Concept from 2019, while it still employs the same outmoded platform as the Borrego’s that has been greatly modified for the present. This video from Asian Petrolhead provides us a sneak peek at what the US has been missing in the supposedly robust SUV, which is currently being offered in South Korea.
The 6’2″ presenter in the video above explains that the Kia Mohave’s cabin capacity is limited but adequate because it is slightly larger than the Sorento but smaller than the Telluride. Since it sits on a ladder-frame chassis, the ride height is also higher than usual.
You can purchase a Kia Mohave.
After 14 years, the Kia Mohave is still available in South Korea, and the automaker just revealed updates for the body-on-frame SUV. For a long time, the Mohave has served as a reliable workhorse in the Kia stable. That is, until the enormously well-liked Telluride appeared and replaced it everywhere but in its native nation and the Middle East, where the Mohave is still available.
The Mohave, which debuted in 2008 alongside the disastrous Borrego in North America, had a facelift in 2016 and a full refresh in 2019. This large SUV is still getting maintenance from Kia and is still moving along everywhere but here.
This time, improvements to the chassis mounts and suspension will lessen vibrations and improve the ride quality for model year 2023. Dual-layer glass, which will lessen road noise and enhance the interior experience; it also seems to include a multi-collision automated braking system.
Although the Mohave still has a 3.0-liter diesel engine, it now has a “emission reduction system to comply with new South Korean environmental laws,” according to CarScoops. Twin exhaust tips, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and stylishly integrated 3D ambient light patterns in the dash are further features.
Kia never had the opportunity to compete in the body-on-frame market in the United States, which is a tragedy. Given that off-roading is more popular than ever, the automaker might want to give it another shot. Demand for larger, more rugged SUVs to accompany the Telluride would be a wise choice.
It’s also possible that the South Korean corporation is planning ahead of time and is considering how to repackage the Mohave for American consumers. That’s all I can do at this point is hope and speculate.
How did the Kia Mohave fare?
Do you recall the Kia Mohave, also known as the Borrego in North America? The midsize crossover SUV was discontinued in 2009, and the South Korean carmaker first replaced it with the unibody Sorento before switching to the identically sized Telluride in 2020. Both vehicles were well-liked options in the midsize crossover SUV market. Should the redesigned 2023 Kia Mohave make a comeback to North America given the popularity of body-on-frame SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner?