2009 Kia Borrego Safety Review

October 30, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system
ConsumerGuide

Standard equipment includes a full complement of safety equipment
Cars.com

Downhill Brake Control (keeps the vehicle going straight and steady down steep grades) and Hill Start Assist Control
Motor Trend

The 2009 Kia Borrego is an all-new vehicle, and as such, it has not yet been crash-tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS, the two crash-test authorities in the United States. Fortunately, with today's ever-increasing emphasis on safety, Kia designers have incorporated a wealth of standard safety features on the Kia Borrego designed to enhance occupant safety and crash survivability.

The 2009 Kia Borrego may not have been crash-tested, but ConsumerGuide reviewers point out the Borrego Kia features "traditional truck-type construction," and while that may not bode well for the Kia Borrego's rollover characteristics, it does indicate that the frame should be sturdy enough to hold up well during a collision. In addition to its solid construction, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the 2009 Kia Borrego features "a full complement of safety equipment," according to Cars.com, including "electronic stability control, antilock brakes, side airbags and side-curtain air bags." ConsumerGuide also adds that "front-seat active head restraints" and a "tire-pressure monitor" come standard on the new Kia Borrego. For those who plan on driving the Borrego Kia off-road, Motor Trend offers some good news, reporting that all 2009 Kia Borregos come standard with "Downhill Brake Control (keeps the vehicle going straight and steady down steep grades) and Hill Start Assist Control (prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when pulling away from an uphill gradient)."

For a body-on-frame SUV, the 2009 Kia Borrego offers impressive visibility from the driver's seat. Visibility is aided by the high seating position, and for the often-tricky task of reversing in an SUV of the Kia Borrego's size, Road & Track reports "a back-up warning system" comes standard on all Borrego Kias.

Conclusion

An impressive list of safety features, including some geared for the off-roading crowd, show the 2009 Kia Borrego doesn't skimp on protection.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid systemConsumerGuideStandard equipment includes a full complement of safety equipmentCars.comDownhill Brake Control (keeps the vehicle going straight and steady down steep grades) and Hill Start Assist ControlMotor Trend The 2009 Kia Borrego is an all-new vehicle, and as such, it has not yet been crash-tested by either NHTSA or the IIHS, the two crash-test authorities in the United States. Fortunately, with today's ever-increasing emphasis on safety, Kia designers have incorporated a wealth of standard safety features on the Kia Borrego designed to enhance occupant safety and crash survivability. The 2009 Kia Borrego may not have been crash-tested, but ConsumerGuide reviewers point out the Borrego Kia features "traditional truck-type construction," and while that may not bode well for the Kia Borrego's rollover characteristics, it does indicate that the frame should be sturdy enough to hold up well during a collision. In addition to its solid construction, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the 2009 Kia Borrego features "a full complement of safety equipment," according to Cars.com, including "electronic stability control, antilock brakes, side airbags and side-curtain air bags." ConsumerGuide also adds that "front-seat active head restraints" and a "tire-pressure monitor" come standard on the new Kia Borrego. For those who plan on driving the Borrego Kia off-road, Motor Trend offers some good news, reporting that all 2009 Kia Borregos come standard with "Downhill Brake Control (keeps the vehicle going straight and steady down steep grades) and Hill Start Assist Control (prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when pulling away from an uphill gradient)." For a body-on-frame SUV, the 2009 Kia Borrego offers impressive visibility from the driver's seat. Visibility is aided by the high seating position, and for the often-tricky task of reversing in an SUV of the Kia Borrego's size, Road & Track reports "a back-up warning system" comes standard on all Borrego Kias. ConclusionAn impressive list of safety features, including some geared for the off-roading crowd, show the 2009 Kia Borrego doesn't skimp on protection. 2009 KIA BORREGO STYLING | [7 OUT OF 10] Motor Trend: "Inside and out, this Borrego looks sharp" ConsumerGuide: "Mostly user-friendly controls and well marked, easy to operate switch gear" Cars.com: "Upscale touches on the Borrego include body-colored side mirrors with integrated ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Kia likes to present the Borrego as a luxury SUV "contender." Experts at TheCarConnection.com think Kia has not so much created an alternative to Lexus, Infiniti, or Cadillac, but delivered an excellent alternative to the fleet of well-known body-on-frame SUVs. The 2009 Kia Borrego provides slightly more interior room than these competitors and, with the V-8, more power than any of them. The standard seating for seven is an advantage over several of these SUVs, but the Honda Pilot can carry one more. The Borrego doesn't present itself as a serious off-roader, as it lacks locking differentials and other off-road goodies to compete against the trail-rated Jeeps. Kia's price advantage is more toward the base vehicles where the Borrego's level of standard equipment exceeds the others.

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See the Kia Borrego in Other Years:

2009

Comments (5 total)

  1. By Felipe Godinez #1, Posted: 10/13/2008

    king

    Does the company making this vehicle know what borrego means in spanish??

  2. By russell #2, Posted: 4/8/2009

    Lamb chop

    I love lamb chop. I think Kia has people who likes lamb chop as well.

  3. By Ninja #3, Posted: 6/1/2009

    The Borrego was named after the Anza-Borrego desert park in California. The Borrego's overseas name, "Mohave", was named after the Mohave Desert somewhere in Western America.

  4. By Ross #4, Posted: 8/27/2009

    Question, How do you give an SUV with 16 air bags and a perfect 5 star crash rating all around only a 9 out of 10 for safety????

  5. marty avatar by Marty Padgett #5, Posted: 8/27/2009

    Ross, we typically raise the safety ratings when the IIHS also checks in with its test scores. As of yet they haven't--but if they name it a Top Safety Pick, the Borrego gets a 10.

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