Kia Borrego: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Kia Borrego was produced from 2008 to 2011 as an SUV 5-doors in a single generation. Its four listed configurations come from two exact version names—3.8 AT and 4.6 AT—each offered with either RWD or AWD.
The Kia Borrego was produced from 2008 to 2011 as an SUV 5-doors in a single generation. Its four listed configurations come from two exact version names—3.8 AT and 4.6 AT—each offered with either RWD or AWD. The central buying decision is therefore straightforward: choose the 3.8 AT for lower kerb weight and, in AWD form, lower measured fuel consumption; choose the 4.6 AT for an additional 61 hp and 76 Nm, plus a 6-speed Automatic instead of a 5-speed Automatic. Then select RWD for the lighter configuration or AWD where that drive type matters more than the added weight.
Kia Borrego generations and versions
The only Kia Borrego generation in the supplied catalogue covers 2008–2011. It has an SUV 5-doors body and four listed configurations: 3.8 AT with AWD, 3.8 AT with RWD, 4.6 AT with AWD, and 4.6 AT with RWD. There is no later generation in the data to compare, so the meaningful choice is between engines and drive types within this generation.
Kia Borrego engine and specs comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 AT, AWD | 276 hp (205 kW) at 6000 rpm | 362 Nm at 4400 rpm | 3778 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 3.8 AT, RWD | 276 hp (205 kW) at 6000 rpm | 362 Nm at 4400 rpm | 3778 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 4.6 AT, AWD | 337 hp (251 kW) at 6000 rpm | 438 Nm at 3500 rpm | 4627 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 4.6 AT, RWD | 337 hp (251 kW) at 6000 rpm | 438 Nm at 3500 rpm | 4627 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
Both 3.8 AT configurations use a front, longitudinal engine with distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 10.4, and a bore and stroke of 96 × 87.1. Both 4.6 AT configurations also use a front, longitudinal engine with distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves per cylinder, and a compression ratio of 10.4; their bore and stroke is 92 × 87.
The 4.6 AT supplies 337 hp, which is 61 hp more than the 276 hp 3.8 AT. Its 438 Nm torque output exceeds the 3.8 AT figure by 76 Nm, while peak torque arrives at 3500 rpm rather than 4400 rpm. The 4.6 AT also gains one transmission ratio, moving from the 3.8 AT’s 5-speed Automatic to a 6-speed Automatic.
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the 3.8 AT produces about 73.1 hp per litre, while the 4.6 AT produces about 72.8 hp per litre. Their specific outputs are therefore very close: the larger engine’s main advantage is its greater total power and torque, not a higher power-per-litre result.
Performance, fuel economy, and mpg data
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for the 3.8 AT AWD, 3.8 AT RWD, 4.6 AT AWD, or 4.6 AT RWD. Top speed is also not measured for all four configurations. No supported claim can therefore be made about how much quicker the 4.6 AT is in acceleration or maximum speed.
Fuel consumption is measured only for the AWD configurations:
| Version | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 AT, AWD | 14.7 l/100 km | 11.2 l/100 km | 12.7 l/100 km |
| 3.8 AT, RWD | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.6 AT, AWD | 15.7 l/100 km | 11.8 l/100 km | 13.4 l/100 km |
| 4.6 AT, RWD | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Among the configurations with measured economy, the 3.8 AT AWD uses 1.0 l/100 km less in the city, 0.6 l/100 km less on the highway, and 0.7 l/100 km less in combined driving than the 4.6 AT AWD. That makes the 3.8 AT AWD the economy choice supported directly by comparable measurements.
The RWD versions cannot be ranked for fuel economy because their city, highway, and combined figures are not measured. CO₂ output is not measured for any version. The 3.8 AT is rated Euro 4, whereas the 4.6 AT is rated Euro 5.
Dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheels
All four versions have 216 mm of ground clearance and a 78-litre fuel tank. Gross weight is not measured for any configuration.
| Version | Kerb weight | Weight per hp | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 AT, AWD | 2023 kg | about 7.33 kg/hp | not measured | 216 mm | 78 litres | 245/70 R17; 265/60 R18 |
| 3.8 AT, RWD | 1927 kg | about 6.98 kg/hp | not measured | 216 mm | 78 litres | 245/70 R17; 265/60 R18 |
| 4.6 AT, AWD | 2096 kg | about 6.22 kg/hp | not measured | 216 mm | 78 litres | not measured |
| 4.6 AT, RWD | 1998 kg | about 5.93 kg/hp | not measured | 216 mm | 78 litres | not measured |
Within the 3.8 AT pair, AWD adds 96 kg over RWD. Within the 4.6 AT pair, AWD adds 98 kg. Comparing like-for-like drive systems, the 4.6 AT is 73 kg heavier than the 3.8 AT with AWD and 71 kg heavier with RWD. Its extra 61 hp more than offsets that increase in the calculated weight-per-horsepower comparison: both 4.6 AT configurations carry fewer kilograms per horsepower than their corresponding 3.8 AT configurations.
Wheel sizes are listed as 245/70 R17 and 265/60 R18 for both 3.8 AT configurations. Wheel sizes for both 4.6 AT configurations are not measured. Every version has independent, spring suspension at the front and rear, ventilated disc front brakes, and disc rear brakes.
Which Kia Borrego version should you buy?
The 3.8 AT AWD is the most balanced choice when measured fuel economy and AWD are the priorities. It provides 276 hp and 362 Nm, has a 5-speed Automatic, weighs 2023 kg, and records combined consumption of 12.7 l/100 km. It also has both listed wheel sizes and shares the same 216 mm clearance and 78-litre tank as every other configuration.
The 3.8 AT RWD is the lightest Borrego in the data at 1927 kg, making it 96 kg lighter than the 3.8 AT AWD. It keeps the same 276 hp, 362 Nm, 5-speed Automatic, 216 mm clearance, and 78-litre tank. Choose it when lower kerb weight and RWD matter more than AWD, while remembering that its fuel consumption is not measured.
The 4.6 AT AWD is the strongest AWD choice. It combines 337 hp and 438 Nm with a 6-speed Automatic, delivering 61 hp and 76 Nm more than the 3.8 AT AWD. The trade-off is 73 kg of additional kerb weight and measured combined consumption of 13.4 l/100 km, which is 0.7 l/100 km above the 3.8 AT AWD figure.
The 4.6 AT RWD has the best calculated weight-per-horsepower figure at about 5.93 kg/hp. At 1998 kg, it is 98 kg lighter than the 4.6 AT AWD while retaining 337 hp, 438 Nm, and the 6-speed Automatic. It is the clearest specification-led choice for maximum engine output with the lower weight of RWD, although its fuel consumption, acceleration, top speed, and wheel sizes are not measured.
No purchase-price data is supplied, so the extra money required for a 4.6 AT cannot be quantified. In specification terms, however, moving from 3.8 AT to 4.6 AT buys 61 hp, 76 Nm, one additional transmission ratio, and a Euro 5 rating instead of Euro 4. Moving from RWD to AWD adds 96 kg with the 3.8 AT or 98 kg with the 4.6 AT. Those are the measurable trade-offs on which to base the choice.
Kia Borrego reliability and problems
Reliability records and problem reports are not measured in the supplied data, so none of the four configurations can be ranked for reliability. The available comparison covers engine output, transmission, drive, fuel consumption, weight, clearance, tank capacity, wheels, suspension, brakes, and emissions class only.