Well in our weekly why Acura is laughable edition of the news, I just got my C&D and I was totally unaware a V-8 Kia SUV was being offered. Thats right, no V-8 in the MDX but rather, you can get one in a Kia. A Kia. A Kia.

Thats right, first Hyundai and now KIA has a V-8 before Acura.

It seems to be a less powerful version of the Genesis. 337hp and 323lbs of torque.

I don't care what anyone says that is utterly pathetic on Acura's part and as far as I am concerned they are not far removed from Kia or Hyundai.

 

Yes, it has not been in the news much, but the new Borrego does in fact offer a V8, a detuned version of the Tau V8 used in the Genesis. For a somewhat large body-on-frame SUV, fuel economy figures for the V8 are surprisingly good. The Tau seems to be nice, efficient little V8. The real slap in the face to Honda would be if the Tau V8 earns a reputation for being fuel efficient, and/or very reliable.

On a related note, the Borrego V8 is also a slap-in-the-face to Mazda. The Borrego V8 gets about the same fuel economy as the CX-9, despite being a heavier vehicle offering more power. This just further highlights how poor the CX-9's fuel economy is. The MDX can also be thrown into this mix. The Borrego V8 actually gets better fuel economy than the MDX despite being heavier and more powerful. Really sad for both Mazda and Honda.

 

Kia sponsored the July 4th show here in Philly. Had a bunch of them running around that weekend. Very nice SUV's.

 

They are the only japanese car maker that doesnt produce a V8. Thats why Im surpried that the new NSX will be a V10 possibly. They need to step it up.

 

Kia with a V8 is still a Kia. Regaurdless I couldnt drive a girlie vehicle even if it were a V12 supercar from KIA.

 

Looks pretty good.


They could put a V16 in that thing and it wouldn't solve any of the issues they are having with their cars. Acura needs to up their game beyond number of cylinders (although it is a pressing issue, america is not ready to accept turbo 6's in the place of V8's) they need to step it up interiorwise also. When Lexus came out they used BETTER materials then the competition was using, DIFFERENT from their parent company toyota, where as Acura shops at the Honda material store. I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if Acura was japanese for "Me Too."

 

I didnt even see that picture. That actually looks good.

 

While I have not (yet) driven a Borrego, I have reviewed all of the sister Hyundai SUV's, including the Veracruz it is based on....and the CX-9 Grand Touring model. The CX-9 may not match its fuel economy, but its chassis is more responsive than the Veracruz. Though the Tiburon is stiff, Hyundai/Kia vehicles, in general, are set up for comfort, not handling or steering response. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that...........I like a comfort-oriented vehicle myself. My point is that the CX-9 and Borrego were designed with two different driving styles in mind, though the CX-9's handling, while good for a largish SUV, can't compare with that of a Mazda sedan.

 

There is nothing wrong with this vehicle. I think it looks great. Korean cars are just as Asian as Japanese cars. Manufacturing, fit and Finish of todays Japanese and Korean cars are quite similar. Check them out for yourself beyond the keyboard.

 

The Borrego is not based on the Veracruz. The Veracruz is car based, this is truck based.

 

Veracruz and Borrego are completely different chassis/platform/etc

Kia chose a great time to introduce a big Body on Frame V8 SUV...

I saw a few of these in Korea back in April, wasn't too impressed.

 

Subaru doesn't make a V8. In fact, they don't make V anything.

 

Does Mazda have a V8? Off the top of my head I can't think of any.

 

Mazda Navajo of the 90's based on the Ford Explorer

 

I don't think the Navajo was ever given the V8 option. It came in a 3 door model only.