CD Article: 2009 Kia Borrego

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


Larger than the Sorento, the new Kia Borrego has a "spacious interior...even in the third row", says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.  It offers "a long list of desirable standard features" and "a competitive price" but could use "a bit more character."

 More:
Read the article | View the photos | All the First Drives

[carcrazy]

How is the Honda Pilot a "direct competitor" to this? Last time I checked, the Pilot was a unibody crossover with a slip-and-grip AWD. I don't think the Pilot's square shape alone makes it a direct competitor to the truck-based SUV by any means.
 

[tortoise]

How is the Pilot NOT a competior?

Similar price range, similar seating capacity, similar dimensions. 

So the Kia is more off-road biased, doesn't mean the prospective owners will use it for that.

Looks like a great effort from Kia.  Though, given the depreciation of Kia's in general, coupled with the decline in the market these things will be a steal on the used market.

The USB input for the stereo is an excellent feature.  Hopefully more manufacturers follow suit.

[wing]

Surprising towing capacity.

[carcrazy]

How is the Pilot NOT a competior?

I wouldn't compare the unibody SUVs with the body-on-frame SUVs. Different categories IMO. Not as "direct" competitiors in any case.

IMO the "direct" competition would be the other mid-size body-on-frame traditional SUVs like: 4Runner, Pathfinder, Grand Cherokee, Explorer etc.

[tortoise]

You might not compare them, but I guarantee 90% of the car buying population has no idea what "unibody"
and "body-on-frame" means.  Nor do they likely care.

[carcrazy]

You might not compare them, but I guarantee 90% of the car buying population has no idea what "unibody"
and "body-on-frame" means.  Nor do they likely care.

This is certainly possible, but in this case, an experienced car reviewer, on a car review article, on a car web site, made the comment.