CTC Review: 2008 Kia Rondo

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2008 Kia Rondo     

Day 1:

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Introduced just barely a year ago, the 2007 Kia Rondo took me by surprise.  It seemed to be the first vehicle in ages that hit the showroom floors before I had heard of it -- without any fanfare at all. The Rondo is a competitor in the small family car segment and the Mazda5's only true competition. More ...

[R.Kenny]

You seem to imply that the heated front seats, fog lights, heated power side mirrors and windshield de-icer are only found in the top of the line Luxury version of the Rondo. In fact, these items are standard on all versions of the Rondo with the exception of the base LX model. Also, you neglected to mention that Electronic Stability Control is standard equipment on all Rondo models. As for the rear doors, some people prefer the conventional rear doors instead of sliders because it is less "mini-vanish".

[wing]

Thanks for clarifying, yes those features are standard.  I mentioned traction control but forgot stability control.

Although I have more to say about that when I talk about the driving of the vehicle.

[curls]

I gotta say, I really like the centre stack in this vehicle... looks quite nice!  Actually the overall dash and doors layout looks quite well done.  Can you comment on the material fit and finish and the "plasticity" of it?

[safristi]

..Feelings !!!  Oh Ho FEELINGS!!!! yer such a SOFT TOUCH..... ........how many dash off and touch something in their car and say Oh WOW soft and warm?...maybe a dating service would be in order........... j/k

 Help Help me RHONDA...help HELP ME RONDO.............ah woo.........

[jww]

I think that the Rondo works well. It's not meant to be sporty, nor is it supposed to be a huge SUV. I think it's got the equation right, and is an interesting option to the Mazda 5 which connotes more sportiness with Zoom-Zoom.

I recall the first time I saw a Carens - just before we heard of the Rondo coming here - and I was quite impressed. That was before my Hyundai ownership days when I still snubbed my nose at the Korean car industry.

I am fully swayed now though. Ownership of our two Hyundais (my Sonata and my wife's Accent) has been nothing short of excellent - exceeding all our expectations of a car and dealer experience. I don't know what all Kia dealerships are like - but the two that I have been in are quite friendly places with knowledgeable staff. The only down side seems to be their small inventories, and getting stock if they don't have your choice of model on the lot.

[stodge]

It's an interesting comparison to the Mazda5. I think the Rondo needs a 5 speed auto to match the 08 Mazda5. Otherwise, the Kia's spec is good, though I didn't find the interior quality to be that great. Maybe it deserves another visit.

I prefer the 6 seats in the Mazda5. For me, the 60/40 split in the Rondo is the wrong way round. It looks from the photo that the left rear-seat is the 60%, which means that if we bought one, our daughter's car seat would be behind the driver's seat. In our 500, the 60% seat is behind the passenger's seat. Why do I care? The car seat will only fit in the 60% seat. If that makes sense.

[wing]

stodge, thanks for your input!

I was going to mention it but looks like I may not have enough words so I'll do it here.

I wish to be the 60/40 split nazi!
Japanese cars  seem to all split the 60 on the driver's side, I presume this is because in Japan they design for their market the right hand drive one.  But you would think they would design for where most of their global sales are which is left hand drive.

Why a korean company would put the 60 on the left is beyond me, are they not a left hand drive country?  If so perhaps this blows my theory away as I have noticed most NA designed cars have the 60 on the right.

This always annoys me when picking up large items, I had not thought about the baby seat equation -- get with it manufacturers!

[Blueprint]

Kia still has a weight problem : this thing is nearly as heavy as my much-roomier MPV.  The regular doors, 2nd row bench and mandatory slushbox pushed the Rondo off the list of a few Mazda 5 owners I know.  Even in Quebec, the Rondo is a rare sight.  By coincidence (or not), both the 5 and Rondo were side-by-side at last year's Montreal Auto Show.  3rd row access - and room - is much better in the Mz5; if your needs include two child seats, then the "spare" 3rd row is useless.  With 2nd row buckets, you just walk through to the back.

I'm curious to see what fuel consumption will be at the end of the test; if the V-6 drinks like a full-size minivan, then, what's the point ?

[DoubleClutch]

It's an interesting comparison to the Mazda5. I think the Rondo needs a 5 speed auto to match the 08 Mazda5. Otherwise, the Kia's spec is good, though I didn't find the interior quality to be that great. Maybe it deserves another visit.

I prefer the 6 seats in the Mazda5. For me, the 60/40 split in the Rondo is the wrong way round. It looks from the photo that the left rear-seat is the 60%, which means that if we bought one, our daughter's car seat would be behind the driver's seat. In our 500, the 60% seat is behind the passenger's seat. Why do I care? The car seat will only fit in the 60% seat. If that makes sense.

I thought the Rondo DID have a 5 speed auto.

[Leviathan]

stodge, thanks for your input!

I was going to mention it but looks like I may not have enough words so I'll do it here.

I wish to be the 60/40 split nazi!
Japanese cars  seem to all split the 60 on the driver's side, I presume this is because in Japan they design for their market the right hand drive one.  But you would think they would design for where most of their global sales are which is left hand drive.

Why a korean company would put the 60 on the left is beyond me, are they not a left hand drive country?  If so perhaps this blows my theory away as I have noticed most NA designed cars have the 60 on the right.

This always annoys me when picking up large items, I had not thought about the baby seat equation -- get with it manufacturers!

The Tribute is 60 on driver's side and that works out well on trips. With 2 passengers they can converse and pass food/drinks easier and I don't always see the rear passenger's gaping maw in the rearview mirror. Also, I don't have the driver's seat all the way back so that gives more room for the rear passenger should the front passenger move their seat back.

[davidm]

The Volvo V40 is 60% split on the passenger side - perfect for the baby seat.  The XC70 is the 40/20/40 which to me is ideal (and our Britax Marathon fits on a single 40 in the XC70).

These look neat, but I've never figured out how the back seats are supposed to work.  Will be interested for your thoughts on access.  The Mazda5 while pushing it, at least kinda makes sense.

[stodge]

It's an interesting comparison to the Mazda5. I think the Rondo needs a 5 speed auto to match the 08 Mazda5. Otherwise, the Kia's spec is good, though I didn't find the interior quality to be that great. Maybe it deserves another visit.

I prefer the 6 seats in the Mazda5. For me, the 60/40 split in the Rondo is the wrong way round. It looks from the photo that the left rear-seat is the 60%, which means that if we bought one, our daughter's car seat would be behind the driver's seat. In our 500, the 60% seat is behind the passenger's seat. Why do I care? The car seat will only fit in the 60% seat. If that makes sense.

I thought the Rondo DID have a 5 speed auto.

Sorry, it has a 5 speed auto only with the V6. I meant to say it needs it with the I4.

[FmrMaritimer]

We recently rented a Rondo here in Pennsylvania to drive our oldest to university in Canada. We decided that the long drive to Canada, with our much larger SUV, required something with better fuel economy. When handed the keys to a Kia, I admit I was disappointed. My disappointed soon changed as I realized Kia was not building cheap, inferior cars as they once did. The Kia Rondo is a very well-executed 7-passenger vehicle with high build quality, a very smooth drivetrain, very good fit and finish and loaded with every imagineable safety feature.

First, I will tell you that the Koreans have not only caught up to the Toyota's, Nissans and Honda's in our driveway, but may have even passed them. I am 6' 2" and found the vehicle roomy, although I would've preferred a little more length on the cushion for the drivers seat (this seems to be a common issue with Korean cars that I have recently rented for business). It was also very well designed with storage bins beneath the rear cargo area and throughout the cabin that made packing up a daughter for college very helpful. Interior ergonomics and switchgear operation were both very good. My wife regulary drives a Honda Pilot for our business and we have noted recently that our Honda has more and cheaper plastics than the Koreans and domestic cars we are sampling. The ride in the Kia was very good. NVH was also very good. The V6 we drove sounded very pleasing and wasn't at all thrashy or annoying. I am aware the comparison between the Pilot my wife drives isn't really legitimate but for comaparison purposes, the Pilots ride is choppy and rough on secondary roads where the Kia seemed to handle the rough stuff much better with its softer suspension. The Rondo's much lower center of gravity and 17 inch wheels also seemed to provide very competent handling. I also enjoyed the manual mode of the transmission.
We drove the Kia 1700 miles and it returned 25 mpg(US). This was adequate as I drove 70-80 mph most of the time on the highway.
If you haven't driven a Kia lately, your paradigm will certainly change. This is a very high quality vehicle and the Japanese and domestics should be very concerned. Recent rentals here in the US of a Hyundai Azera, Sonata and Veracruz completely altered my impression of Korean cars.   

[jww]

...Recent rentals here in the US of a Hyundai Azera, Sonata and Veracruz completely altered my impression of Korean cars.   

I am a big fan of the Veracruz. By the time I look to buy one, they'll have sorted the sat-nav and bluetooth things out and it'll be slightly better positioned in it's category.

Back to the Rondo - thanks for the review. Sounds like a very practical vehicle indeed. Put diesels in these baby's and you'll get excellent mileage and better low-end grunt for off-the line starting with full loads. I think it's a fair hit here in Canada - as I see them all over the place here in Ottawa, where I live, as well as when we travel to Montreal (Quebecers are huge Hyundai/Kia fans) and Toronto.

[stodge]

I often follow a dark grey Rondo to work, and it doesn't look bad in that colour. Oh for diesels like in the UK!

[edmontonrocks]

As a Hyundai Salesman and lease Manager I can say that the only thing we are fighting is the age old stereotypes of Hyundai, and more recently Kia. The only people that truly slag our line are the uneducated. I believe that there is a Hyundai version of the Rondo in the Works, which will be a welcome edition at our dealership as well.

[random006]

stodge, thanks for your input!

I was going to mention it but looks like I may not have enough words so I'll do it here.

I wish to be the 60/40 split nazi!
Japanese cars  seem to all split the 60 on the driver's side, I presume this is because in Japan they design for their market the right hand drive one.  But you would think they would design for where most of their global sales are which is left hand drive.

Why a korean company would put the 60 on the left is beyond me, are they not a left hand drive country?  If so perhaps this blows my theory away as I have noticed most NA designed cars have the 60 on the right.

This always annoys me when picking up large items, I had not thought about the baby seat equation -- get with it manufacturers!

Interesting.  My Sorento has the 60% split on the passenger side, just where you'd expect it to be.  I can't imagine why they would have changed it for different models.

[airbalancer]

"I estimate you could fit 100 or so pylons in there."
What the heck is that measure!!!!!
I thought you would of cases of 24 laying around in the monster garage that you could for measuring the volume of cars

[conwelpic]

I've recently purchased a 2008 Rondo EX 5-seater (why do they always test the top end model?) with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine.  I find the performance outstanding and can't fault the fit and finish.  We preferred the under floor rear storage of the 5-seater and had no use for the 3rd seats and also we like the regular rear doors to the sliding.  The Mazda 5 was our second choice but found the Rondo exceeding this vehicle in many ways and less cost with the features it offered.
The only disappointment was some things they dropped on the 2008 model over the 2007 - namely the glove box and cargo area side light.  They also dropped some handy features in the console like the rubber "wings" to hold your cup and rubber bases in the bottom.
Other than this, we are extremely pleased with the vehicle, but got less than 1700km on it so far.
The stereo system is outstanding and simple to use and the heated seats are fantastic.