2009 KIA BORREGO

For those who need the utility and towing capacity of a body-on-frame SUV, the 2009 Kia Borrego offers solid performance, respectable fuel economy and more luxurious appointments than many of its competitors.

There was a time not all that long ago when automakers couldn't crank out SUVs quickly enough. During the 1990s and into the new millennium, even companies that historically stuck to cars jumped on the SUV bandwagon, developing their own versions of utility vehicles to satisfy consumers' ravenous appetites for road-going monstrosities. But oh, how times have changed. As fuel prices continue to rise, more consumers are turning back toward smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, and some automakers have even responded by cutting back production of their larger vehicles to focus on the small car market. But not Kia. The Korean company is betting there's still some life in the midsize SUV segment -- and the stakes are in the form of the new 2009 Kia Borrego.

But the 2009 Borrego isn't just about appearances and gizmos; it has the chops of a true sport-utility vehicle. Unlike crossovers, traditional body-on-frame SUVs are generally able to handle rougher terrain and boast higher towing capacities. Available with either a V6 or a V8 engine, the Borrego comes standard with features such as downhill brake control and hill assist control, and ground clearance is on par for the segment. Four-wheel-drive models also come with the expected two-speed transfer case. Notably, the Borrego can also tow up to a class-leading 7,500 pounds. On the downside, the Borrego seems to miss the mark when it comes to some aspects of performance and handling, and its lack of a power liftgate makes one wonder how a brand touting its advanced features could have overlooked something so relatively common.