A different kind of SUV for Kia

C

Ctowner

New member
Styling to rival some of the more rugged domestic SUVs, the Kia Borrego has some serious power. It's in the same segment as the Explorer, but I like the styling of the Kia a lot more. The Ford design's way too outdated IMO. What do you guys think?



Kia Borrego



borrego.jpg




Ford Explorer



07FordExplorer_04_HR.jpg
 
Probably one of the better looking kia's (which isn't saying much). It does have some good power and is priced well though.
 
Well, Explorer is on track to be redesigned soon, so the currently dated-looking model should be going the way of the Dodo soon enough.



Ford-Explorer_America_Concept_2008_photo_01.jpg




Sure, it's kind of ugly, but I can see how they can fashion an attractive-looking vehicle out of this concept.
 
Gears said:
Its about 5 years too late.

These big SUVs are dead.
Click to expand...



+1.



I don't think I would want to buy a Kia or even a Hyundai, none of them look particularly good (all IMO of course) and they don't feel all that great when you are in them. :nervous:



I hope Ford does away with those Godforsaken slits in the roof if they come out with the new Explorer, actually they need to do this for all of their truck and SUV models. What a PITA.
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
+1.



I don't think I would want to buy a Kia or even a Hyundai, none of them look particularly good (all IMO of course) and they don't feel all that great when you are in them. :nervous:



I hope Ford does away with those Godforsaken slits in the roof if they come out with the new Explorer, actually they need to do this for all of their truck and SUV models. What a PITA.
Click to expand...



Achem...everyone living under a rock these days? Tau V8 ring a bell to anyone? Tuned to 375hp for the Genesis Sedan, I think that speaks mountains that it's being used in the Borrego. In a vehicle set to take on Lexus and BMW, the engineering behind this engine is just epic. Kia's of today are built to some of the best standards of quality
 
I don't think anyone will be realistically comparing and cross shopping a BMW or Lexus with a Hyundai or Kia, no matter what size engine you put in it. In addition, IMO none of the Hyundai vehicles have original styling, the Genesis looks like it stole the styling from an ES350 and G35 to me, and the Sonata looks like a cloned previous generation Accord, too.



Just my $0.02.
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
I don't think anyone will be realistically comparing and cross shopping a BMW or Lexus with a Hyundai or Kia, no matter what size engine you put in it. In addition, IMO none of the Hyundai vehicles have original styling, the Genesis looks like it stole the styling from an ES350 and G35 to me, and the Sonata looks like a cloned previous generation Accord, too.



Just my $0.02.
Click to expand...



Realistically, I think you're right, but by bringing luxury touches to the Borrego and Genesis, it might convince buyers to move up market in their shopping and turn to Kia as a viable alternative since BMW and Lexus pricing would be out of most budgets for the segment
 
A couple of things.



The current Explorer model debuted in 2006, it is far from outdated. It sports a throughly modern chassis and suspension system as well as a class leading 4X4 system. It's 4.6 3-Valve V8 is only three years old (debuting in 2005).



Explorer is far from a large SUV. The Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Armada can be called large SUV. The Explorer is and always has been a medium sized SUV and has been the best selling SUV in America for the better part of 15 years. Whether people like it or not Explorer is the benchmark for the medium sized SUV.
 
Florida-LS said:
The current Explorer model debuted in 2006, it is far from outdated. It sports a throughly modern chassis and suspension system as well as a class leading 4X4 system. It's 4.6 3-Valve V8 is only three years old (debuting in 2005).
Click to expand...

Nobody said the vehicle is outdated. We're pointing to the styling as being outdated. The thing LOOKS old, and with Ford's rush to incorporate the Gilette Mach 3 grill on all of their vehicles, the Explorer has been left behind.
 
Florida-LS said:
A couple of things.



The current Explorer model debuted in 2006, it is far from outdated. It sports a throughly modern chassis and suspension system as well as a class leading 4X4 system. It's 4.6 3-Valve V8 is only three years old (debuting in 2005).



Explorer is far from a large SUV. The Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Armada can be called large SUV. The Explorer is and always has been a medium sized SUV and has been the best selling SUV in America for the better part of 15 years. Whether people like it or not Explorer is the benchmark for the medium sized SUV.
Click to expand...



The benchmark? Just because it is the number one seller doesn't mean it is neccessarily the best. IMO the Highlander, Murano, hell, even the outdated and soon to be discontinued Envoy seriously out-do the Explorer in terms of styling and accomodations (none of which I am even a particular fan of, either).
 
I saw a few commercials for the Kia and the car just doesn't appeal to me. I think it fits in line with soccer moms. It looks kind of like a lengthened version of my 05 Mazda Tribute, in which itself is driven by a lot of women (judging by my observations anyway.)



Kia has come a long way but they still have some ways to go before being in the same league as Lexus/Infiniti.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top