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One of the newest SUVs on the market this year turns out to be one of the best, the full-size Kia Borrego – the first large sport utility from the South Korean automaker owned by Hyundai.

This is the same company that brought us the versatile Sportage compact SUV in the mid-90s, when Kia first arrived in the United States.

Kia has come a long way since then, now fielding a full line of cars, sport utilities, crossovers and a minivan.

The seven-passenger Borrego is the biggest and most expensive of all of Kia’s U.S. entries so far. Prices begin at $26,245 (plus $750 freight) and range as high as $39,995 for the latest version, the top-of-the-line Limited model. (These are 2009 prices; Kia has not yet introduced the 2010 model nor announced pricing.)

Added midyear, the Limited comes only in a black monotone exterior color with black interior trim, and has such standard features as a smart key system with pushbutton start, Kia’s Supervision meter cluster, power adjustable pedals, chrome accents on the outside door handles and rear trim, heated second-row seats, Bluetooth phone connection, and special badging.

Borrego is roomier than some of the most-recognized SUV names, such as the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Pilot, Kia says.

It’s also an award winner: Edmunds.com named the Borrego its top-rated SUV in the $25,000-$35,000 price range for 2009, based on consumer ratings of its overall value, power, towing capacity, interior space, outward visibility, fuel economy and its ample standard features.

Like the original Sportage, the Borrego is a traditional body-on-frame SUV with an optional off-road-capable four-wheel-drive system, complete with low-range gearing for serious trail driving. The name comes from one of my all-time favorite places for four-wheeling – the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near Palm Springs, Calif.

Although configured as a traditional SUV, the Borrego has the look, feel and fuel economy of a crossover.

With the base, 276-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine, the Borrego has EPA fuel-economy ratings as good as – or even better than — those of some of the popular crossovers: 17 mpg city/22 highway with two-wheel drive, and 16/21 with four-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive Honda Pilot is rated at 17/22, and its upscale cousin, the Acura MDX, at just 15/20

Optional is a 337-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8, borrowed from the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan. This is the first V-8 in a Kia vehicle.

The $26,245 price brings the base LX V-6 model with rear-wheel drive. V-8 models begin with the two-wheel-drive LX at $30,995; the EX V-8 model with four-wheel drive is $32,995; and the lineup tops out with the Limited.

Those of us who enjoy taking our vehicles and families into the wilderness will find the Borrego quite pleasing. And even though it is as capable off-road as some of those traditional SUVs born in the 1990s, such as the Grand Cherokee and Explorer, the Borrego has a modern design that makes it a great on-road family hauler, as well.

It’s quite roomy inside, with bucket seats up front, a three-passenger middle-row bench than can slide forward or backward on its track to provide more legroom, and a two-person split bench in the third row. Both of the rear seats can be folded to open up a cavernous cargo area, but with all seats in place, luggage space is limited to 12.4 cubic feet – enough for two or three suitcases or an average load of groceries.

We tested the midlevel EX V-6 model with four-wheel drive ($29,995 plus freight), so we weren’t able to check out the additional power offered by the V-8. But it’s not a gas hog – with two-wheel drive, it’s rated at 15 city/22 highway, and with four-wheel drive, 15/20 – the same as the Acura MDX.

V-6 models come with a five-speed automatic transmission, while the V-8s have a six-speed. That extra gear helps give the V-8 its decent highway mileage.

The interior that looks more like that of a luxury sedan than an off-road-capable SUV. We packed it with the family for a weekend trip, and found it to be a great companion for the weekend.

The kids were able to get into the third seat fairly easily, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to make your adult passengers climb back there unless they are young and nimble. The front bucket seats are quite comfortable, and the middle seat is comfy enough for two adults with a child in the middle.

Highway handling is more carlike than you would expect, and off the highway, the Borrego was very much like a Grand Cherokee in its performance.

The four-wheel-drive system is automatic, and came in handy on wet roads. A rotary switch on the dash to the left of the steering column allows for manually switching into either four-wheel-drive high or low range. The low range is for serious trail driving.

The Borrego has earned the highest five-star crash safety ratings from the U.S. government for all seating positions.

Among standard safety features are advanced front air bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, side-curtain air bags for all three rows of seats, a driver’s knee air bag (V-8 models only); four-wheel antilock disc brakes; electronic stability control and traction control; a tire-pressure monitoring system; electronic brake-force distribution; and electronic brake assist.

Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds for the V-6 models and 7,500 pounds for the V-8.

Standard amenities include air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 six-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary input jack, power windows/mirrors/door locks with remote, and Sirius satellite radio.

Our tester came with the Premium package ($1,800), which added a sunroof; outstanding Infinity audio system with 10 speakers, MP3 playback and CD changer; rear air conditioning with controls on the back of the front center console so rear passengers can adjust it themselves; and running boards.

We also had the really useful navigation system ($1,500); and the Luxury Package ($1,500), which brought leather seats for the first and second rows, heated front seats, power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and a memory feature for the driver’s seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel.

Total sticker price for our vehicle was $35,545, including freight and options.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

2009 Kia Borrego

The package: Midsize, five-door, seven-passenger, rear- or four-wheel-drive, V-6 or V-8 powered sport utility vehicle.

Highlights: This is the newest and largest SUV in the Kia lineup, and the most-refined family hauler yet from this South Korean automaker. It’s quite refined and comfortable, yet has an optional four-wheel-drive system capable of serious off-road use.

Disadvantages: Limited cargo space when the third seat is in use.

Engine: 3.8-liter V-6; 4.6-liter V-8..

Transmission: Five-speed automatic (V-6); six-speed automatic (V-8).

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Power/torque: 276 HP/267 foot-pounds (V-6); 337 HP/323 foot-pounds (V-8)..

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Extra air bags: Front seat-mounted side bags; side-curtain, all three rows, standard; driver’s knee bag standard on V-8 model.

Length: 192.1 inches.

Curb weight range: 4,248-4,621 pounds.

Cargo volume: 12.4 cubic feet (behind third seat).

Trailer-towing capacity: 5,000 pounds (V-6); 7,500 pounds (V-8).

Fuel capacity/type: 20.6 gallons/unleaded regular.

EPA fuel economy: V-6: 17/22 (2WD)/16/21 (4WD); V-8: 15/22 (2WD)/15/20 (4WD).

Major competitors: Honda Pilot, Ford Flex, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, Dodge Journey, Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Mazda CX-9.

Base price range: $26,245-$39,995 plus $750 freight (2009 prices; 2010 not announced yet).

Price as tested: $35,545, including freight and options (2009 EX V-6, 4WD).

On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.