Kia Borrego: model years, V6 and V8 engines and what to check on a used one

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Kia Borrego is a body-on-frame, three-row SUV that Kia sold in the US only briefly; EPA lists 2009, 2010 and 2011 models. It came with a 3.8L V6 and 5-speed automatic or a 4.6L V8 and 6-speed automatic, in two- or four-wheel drive, rated 17–18 mpg combined.

Type
Midsize body-on-frame SUV, three rows, 2WD (rear-drive) or 4WD
Powertrains
Borrego 3.8L V6, Borrego 4.6L V8
Current generation
First generation (only US generation), 2009–2011 (EPA listings)

Kia Borrego engines, horsepower and mpg

Horsepower and torque are left blank: Kia's US spec pages for this discontinued model are no longer online, and we only publish ratings from official Kia sources. Engines, transmissions and mpg come from EPA records. EPA figures shown are 2WD; 2009 4WD versions are rated 16/21/18 (V6) and 15/20/17 (V8). Kia's official towing rating is not included for the same reason.

Kia Borrego powertrains with Kia-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
VersionEngineHorsepowerTorque (lb-ft)TransmissionDriveEPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
Borrego 3.8L V63.8L V6[1][2][3][4]——5-speed automaticRear-wheel drive or 4WD17/21/182009 MY[1]
Borrego 4.6L V84.6L V8[5][6][4]——6-speed automaticRear-wheel drive or 4WD15/22/182009 MY[5]

Output is as rated by Kia; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

What to check on a used Kia Borrego

Any Borrego is now well over a decade old, so check recall completion and frame condition. Recalls remain free at Kia dealers regardless of age; run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • 2009 with non-adjustable pedals: brake pedal mount may break off in a crash (12V245)
  • Headliner plates may detach when the side curtain air bags deploy (23V692)
  • ABS/HECU fuse recall for an engine-compartment fire risk (23V652); Kia advises parking outside until done
  • Inspect the frame and underbody for rust, as on any older body-on-frame SUV
  • [8][9][10][11]

Borrego V6 or V8?

On EPA ratings the two are close: 18 mpg combined for both 2WD versions in 2009, with the V8 slightly worse in town (15 vs 17 mpg) and slightly better on the highway (22 vs 21). The V8 pairs with a 6-speed automatic, the V6 with a 5-speed.[1][5][2][6]

What replaced the Kia Borrego?

Nothing directly. Kia's next large three-row SUV in the US was the unibody Telluride, which EPA lists from the 2020 model year and which, unlike the Borrego, offers no V8.[4][7]

Kia Borrego generations by year

Every US Kia Borrego generation with model years and engines, newest first
GenerationUS model yearsEnginesNotes
First generation (only US generation)2009–2011 (EPA listings)3.8L V6 with 5-speed automatic or 4.6L V8 with 6-speed automatic; 2WD or 4WDA body-on-frame SUV with three rows of seats standard in the US. EPA lists it for 2009–2011; secondary sources describe 2009–2010 as the main US model years, with leftover inventory sold into 2011. Sold elsewhere as the Kia Mohave.[4][1][3][7]

More Borrego research

See how a Borrego was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Kia build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Kia build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Kia Borrego sold?

EPA lists the Borrego for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 model years in the US.

Did the Kia Borrego have a V8?

Yes. A 4.6L V8 with a 6-speed automatic was offered alongside the 3.8L V6 with a 5-speed.

Is the Kia Borrego 4WD?

It was offered in rear-wheel-drive (2WD) and 4WD versions with both engines.

What mpg does a Kia Borrego get?

EPA rates the 2009 2WD V6 at 17/21/18 mpg and the 2WD V8 at 15/22/18.

Why was the Kia Borrego discontinued?

Kia has not published a reason we could source. It arrived for 2009 and its last EPA listing is 2011.

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Kia for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

  1. EPA fuel economy record: 2009 Kia Borrego 2WD 3.8L V6, 5-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  2. EPA fuel economy record: 2009 Kia Borrego 4WD 3.8L V6, 5-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  3. EPA fuel economy record: 2011 Kia Borrego 2WD 3.8L V6, 5-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  4. EPA fuel economy data: vehicles.csv (Kia listings by model year, engine, transmission and drive) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  5. EPA fuel economy record: 2009 Kia Borrego 2WD 4.6L V8, 6-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  6. EPA fuel economy record: 2009 Kia Borrego 4WD 4.6L V8, 6-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  7. Kia Mohave (sold as Borrego in North America) — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
  8. NHTSA recall 12V245: Brake pedal mount may break off in a crash (2009 Borrego, non-adjustable pedals) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  9. NHTSA recall 23V692: Headliner plates may detach in a side curtain air bag deployment (2009–2014 Borrego) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  10. NHTSA recall 23V652: HECU may short and cause engine-compartment fire (incl. 2012–2017 Rio, 2014–2016 Cadenza, 2015–2018 K900, Borrego) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
  11. DOT/NHTSA recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Kia recalls mentioning Borrego — U.S. DOT (data.transportation.gov)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America, Kia Corporation or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.