It takes about 18 months to two years between the moment an automaker commits to building a particular model of car and the moment that car hits the market - and a lot can happen in those two years. Consider that in July of 2006, crude oil was selling for $66/bbl and regular unleaded gasoline cost an average of $3.03/gallon in the United States. Even with that near-record high price at the time, 2006 was still the era of the Big SUV. The market was not as hearty as it had been in 2003, but it was still strong - bigger, fancier, heavier, were the watchwords of the industry.

Available AWD and V8 Engine

That's where the industry was when the 2009 Kia Borrego was being designed and approved for production. But fast forward to today, with gasoline between $4.50 and $5.00 per gallon and GM announcing that it's discontinuing the entire Hummer brand, and it seems like a bad time to bring out a new V8-powered luxury SUV.  Many large and formerly expensive SUVs are sitting on new and used dealer lots, and they're nearly unsellable at any price.

But I think the Borrego has a chance at success - a slim chance, if gas prices don't stabilize soon, but a chance nonetheless.  Here's why I think so:

• The Borrego is a nice rig, and not too big and thirsty to be a reasonable choice for 2008 and beyond.  In its least economical configuration, the Borrego will get 15/20 MPG - that's with a V8 and AWD. The V8 option and 2WD nets you the best highway mileage, at 15/22. The V6 is only marginally better in town, reaching 17/21 in the 2WD configuration and 16/21 in AWD trim. That's not bad for a mid-size body-on-frame SUV comparable to the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Expedition (The Expedition is rated at 12/18 - and that was optimistic.)
  
  
• Some people still want or need a 7-passenger SUV, and the Borrego is priced right for the segment, starting in the mid-20s and going up to the mid-30s in its most expensive configuration. That's going to beat the rest of the segment, and you get a good value for your money. The Borrego feels big and solid, has a quiet ride, and has the features most buyers in this segment demand - including navigation, zone climate control, power everything, USB-capable stereo, DVD screen, leather, HomeLink, and so on. If you want it, the Borrego has got it - if not in the basic LX package, then certainly in the EX.
  
  
• The final reason the Borrego may be successful is that Kia is pretty much the only manufacturer making a hardcore effort to sell in this segment this year. How many ads have you seen lately for V8-powered SUVs?  Kia has a summer movie ad program running, and their executives say that they plan a full court press to promote the Borrego. Couple that with a nice SUV at the right price, and what market there is left for these vehicles is likely to sway Kia's way.
  

7500 Pound Towing Capability

The Borrego's all-aluminum DOHC 4.6-liter V8 engine  generates 337 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 323 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. That's more powerful than the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Acadia. The V6 version produces a competitive 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm.  The Borrego also runs on regular unleaded fuel, which is a definite plus. 

Pleasant to Drive

Yet the Borrego won't impress you if you're looking for a vehicle that's fast off the line - I would describe the acceleration in the V8 as simply adequate. But honestly, if you're shopping for fast, go get yourself a Viper or a Corvette.  The Borrego is about hauling the family and a small trailer in comfort for a reasonable price - and if that's what you want, then the 2009 Borrego should be on your list. 

Nice Interior

Finally, let's address the notion of Kia building an upscale vehicle for the luxury segment. The company is playing this up in its print advertisements - showing the SUV without the name badge and asking people to guess whether it's a BMW, Lexus, or other upscale brand. The notion is that buyers will be pleasantly surprised to find that this new SUV carries the Kia nameplate. But as you look around, most other manufacturers - especially those from the far east - have started out in the economy car market and then moved up. Some of them founded new brands to shed their old image - hence Infiniti, Lexus, and Acura.   Others simply improved their product until they became an upscale brand, including BMW, Volvo, and Audi - and it seems Kia has decided to follow that path.