The
Kia Mohave, marketed in
North America as the
Kia Borrego, is a luxury
sport-utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by the
South Korean-based
Kia Motors. The vehicle debuted in 2008 in the Korean
[3] and US markets. The Kia Borrego is named after the
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in
California; Borrego means "bighorned sheep" which can be found in the state park.
Production history
The production model, designed by automotive designer
Peter Schreyer, former chief designer for
Audi, was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
[5] The vehicle was originally shown as a
concept car under the
Kia Mesa name at the 2005
North American International Auto Show and went on sale in Korea as the Mohave prior to its release in the United States. In the US, the Borrego went on hiatus for the 2010 model year, with no word on its return or cancellation, after lower than expected sales in 2009.
[6]As of December 2, 2010, the Kia website no longer lists the Borrego as a production model, and the previous address for it advertises the new
Kia Sorento as a replacement vehicle.
[7] Kia, however, still sells the Borrego in Canada, meaning the Borrego is a
Canada-only nameplate now.
Technical details
The Borrego uses
body-on-frame construction, with available adjustable air-suspension, hill-descent control and a high- and low-range
automatic transmission. The Borrego has three standard rows of seats in the US. The Borrego will be fitted with either the 3.0 L
VGT diesel
V6 (in 2010), second-generation
Lambda II 3.8 L
V6 producing 276 horsepower (206 kW) or the recently developed 4.6 L
V8 Hyundai Tau engine. The Tau V8 will be tuned to give less power but more torque than in the
Hyundai Genesis sedan, and creates 337 horsepower (251 kW). The V8 has a towing capacity of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg), and the V6 is able to tow 5,000 lb (2,300 kg). It has a navigation system available as an option.
Kia Borrego Fuel cell version
The
Kia Borrego FCEV[8] is a concept car produced by
Hyundai-Kia and first shown at the 2008
Los Angeles Auto Show.
[9] The green
SUV concept is based on a model Borrego and has a
fuel cell developed by the 4th generation Hyundai-Kia (154 hp, 115 kW) and a new battery
Lithium-Ion Polymer. The driver then enjoys an autonomy of 820 kilometres (510 mi) and can start in temperatures of
−30 °C (−22 °F). As part of its testing program, Kia will put on the roads in 2010 a fleet of Kia Borrego FCEVs.
Awards
- Kia Borrego(a.k.a ‘Kia Mohave’) has been selected as the “Best Kept Secret” in the Autobytel.com[10]
- Kia Borrego Awarded the "Best-in-Class Sport Utility Vehicle $25,000-$35,000" award as part of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) 2009 Winter Vehicle Awards competition.[11]
- Kia Borrego has been named the top-rated ‘SUV $25,000-$35,000’ in the Edmunds.com Consumers’ Top Rated Vehicle awards in the US. Borrego earned strong marks from consumers for its overall excellent value, along with impressive power and towing capacity, interior space, visibility, fuel economy and extensive list of standard features.