Suburban Dad: 2007 Kia Rondo

The Rondo tries to break some new ground in the crossover game — which is pretty new itself — by being a small fish among big fish. If my kids were little, say, all in elementary school, the Rondo would be a handy choice: Room enough for them in the second row and groceries in the back with the optional third row down. For carpooling, the Rondo would be handy with that third row built for the younger set. Factor in its features and a starting price right around $16,500, before destination, and a base Rondo could be a good deal for a small family.

Given the size of my kids now, and some of the Rondo’s limitations, though, I’d have to pass.

Its dimensions are smaller than most of its crossover competitors, but it still tries to seat seven. It’s size does give it some advantages: It's certainly less intimidating than many larger SUVs and, as my wife said when she first saw it, "It's cute!" It’s like a giant, motorized jelly bean.

Beneath the cute exterior is a car whose ambitions exceed its abilities. In a few years, Kia will probably adjust, get it right, and make the Rondo into a strong competitor.

My 10-year-old really liked the third row, and even my wife found it roomy enough to sit in, although it's clearly meant for kids. I couldn't even get the second row seat back into position while sitting in the third row. Although my wife fit back there, the small, enclosed area made her nervous. "I don't feel very safe back here," she said, motioning to the low roof. It made me a little claustrophobic as well. Again, though, it ain’t built for us.

The second row had enough leg- and headroom, and my wife and I were comfy in the roomy front row.

Still, the interior could use some tweaking. The controls seemed cheap even though the car was pretty much fully equipped (sunroof, third-row seat, leather, larger V-6 engine) and the sticker price hovered under $24,000. The stereo had easy-to-reach and use controls, and the sound wasn‘t bad. There was more than a fair amount of road and wind noise, and the doors sounded a little inconsequential when they shut.

As for the ride, the transmission was a little rough in transitions, especially at lower speeds. The Rondo’s big brother, the Sedona minivan — I drive a 2004 version — has a transmission that has near-seamless shifts, something the Rondo would certainly benefit from. On the downside, while driving the Rondo for a couple of days, it only got about 15 mpg. That's not enough for a car this small; perhaps a six-speed transmission down the road could help get that number up. 

Would we buy the Rondo? Maybe, if the car were a couple years more refined and the kids were younger. As it was, the price was right, the mileage too low and my kids just too big.

Comments

[FThorn]

Well, my Caravan after rebates, deals was $14,200. Not a problem through 100,000 miles. A true minivan is gads more versatile that the Rondo. But, that being said, I'm sure the Rondo (I remember the 80s soft drink) will fit the bill for tiny people.

[Max Reid]

With around 30 cu. ft. of cargo space (double that of mid size sedan) and 7 seater facility, the CUV's are grabbing market from SUV, PU and Minivans.

Pretty soon, they may start competing head to head with Cars. I wish there are CUV's which are even shorter but has 3/3 seating to seat 6 passengers.

[Amuro Ray]

Many flaws in your post, FThorn.

1. You paid over $14K for your Caravan - that's after rebate! This vehicle's MSRP is $16.5K, and that's WITHOUT any rebate what-so-ever. More importantly, we all know that Chrysler has been very generous with rebates on their vehicles, esp. the trucks & minivans, these days, so the starting MSRP could've been much higher than the Rondo...

2. This is the base trim price, but how 'bou YOURS? Also base trim? You've to compare contents VS value before you can establish the fact that you've a better value on your Caravan. A fully equipped Rondo could actually be cheaper than the same equipped Chrysler too!

3. Chrysler minivans have a pretty bad history with many mechanical issues, and its warranty is much more inferior than Kia's 10yr/100K miles warranty! Just because yours' trouble free doesn't over-rule the fact that many haven't been as lucky as you as Chrysler's minivan owners.

4. And who the heck are you referring as tiny people? This is a very offensive term, and it can carry meanings that are racial motivated and gender/physically challenged involved. If you are neither of them, then please use a better word like the author of this article has done; if you are - shame on you!

[FThorn]

1. I clearly articulated what I paid and the price was after rebate. I fully understand this car's price is not after rebates. There is no need for you to explain that to me as I have worked both for an auto manufacturer and a dealer. Some other people new to adulthood might need that info, however.

2. I don't have to compare anything to anything apples to apples they are completely different vehicles in the first place. I quite straightforwardly stated that I feel the minivan is more versatile than this microvan. And a larger van would be more versatile than a minivan. For the price range should someone need more versatility, minivans can be had for the same prices.

3. I have had three (at one time) Chrysler minivans. And again, I have driven thousands of cars as part of my employment. This van has never had any service required for part failure or anything outside normal wear/tear and serviceable items. I also drive it over 100 mph almost daily. Not bad for a four cylinder, 3 speed (no OD) auto tranny.

4. My under 12 year old kids are tiny people. And that is whom the rear seats most appropriately accommodate, it appears. I'm not sure WHOM the rear seats of the Porsche 911 I drove was for, since no one could sit back there. Perhaps bacteria? I think all genders/races' offspring in the beginning are tiny people, too.

Shame on you for so violently attacking my simply articulated post.

[Paul]

So this is the "Rondo-ism" they talk about in the ads? I just say its another cheap Korean conveyance,and as such something has to give or be done without.And in typical fashion,the Koreans cant deliver fuel mileage.The Kia Sephia wasnt particularly fuel efficient,neither was the Hyundai Excel/Mitsubishi Precis(Mitsu engine,but with Hyundai manufacture and electronic controls),and it seems all subsequent models have lagged behind Toyota/Honda/etc in that respect.
Sorta like another Korean model....Chevy (Daewoo) Aveo...tiny car,but not so tiny fuel consumption.

[Troy]

I actually thought the review of the Rondo was very well written and unbiased. Kudos to you Amuro Ray. Too bad on the poor mileage.

[bowrider]

Fthorn compared his experience with a vehicle that people who are shopping for a Rondo may want to consider as well. It was well articulated.

The Rondo falls short in many areas; one major one is gas mileage, another area is price.

[Amuro Ray]

Dave,

Please delete this idiotic post from PorscheLover. Just because he's un-educated doesn't mean that he has the right to taint the respective behaviors of most in this blog, and insult others because "he felf like it," not even knowing what the Freedom of Speech really stands for.

The blog is to express your opinion 'bou vehicles, not to express your insulting nature! I can't believe that, up to this day and age, we still have moronic people like this guy...

:(

And to FTHorn, hey, it's your post that brought up all the comparisons - both brands and price (advantage - your Chrylser according to you), and I'm just pointing out the flaws of your comparisons. You see, a one sentence statement is a STATEMENT! It was NOT "simply articulated" at all!

[georgemc48]

Freedom of speach today all depends on a persons preception, if you are a conservative or liberal. If you are a liberal then you can say anything you want except yell fire in a theater. It is not illegal to call anyone anything. It does require a little knowledge of your surroundings before opening mouth today. Most people take offence being called racist, a term that does not apply to any race or anything else but a persons way of looking at other races, including their own. As for the car, another Toyota ugly deathtrap. Yes, Hyundai is owned by Toyota only without the assistance of GM. But Americans will buy it just like those ugly square shoeboxes sold by Nissan and Honda. Why? "Because they are so ugly they are cute"? That doesn't stop them from being ugly deathtraps.

[Dave T.]

Guys,
Just remember freedom of speech isn't unlimited and we certainly control what remains posted. More abuse means we'll have to institute more walls in posting. Also we're all tired of the constant bickering about domestics and imports that have no relevance on anything for the consumer. I may just start deleting these repetitive off-topic comments because they do more harm than good as big brother as that sounds.

As for GeorgeMc, ummm Toyota does not own Hyundai and they both do well on crash tests. Most Hyundais and Kias like the Rondo come equipped with more standard features for less money, one reason they're so popular.

[starlightmica]

Not everyone in the USofA subscribes to bigger is better, and vehicles such as the Rondo (and similarly sized Mazda5), originally intended for overseas markets, do just fine if you don't have to carry as much. Advantages: 4cyl fuel economy, maneuverability.

I joke that my Mazda5 can hold 4 adults or 6 of us short (I'm 5'7") folks.

[Troy]

starlightmica,

I agree to a point but, 15MPG is hardly "fuel economy" for a small vehicle.

That's worse than many large Trucks and SUVs.

[Mazzy]

My Mazda5 is incredibly versatile. The sliding rear doors are perfect for city folk like me. It's fun to drive with the manual transmission and it looks good. The middle row captains chairs keep the kids from poking each other.

Because of the better warranty, I wanted to like the Rondo, but it is just so ugly and cheap it's unbearable.

Mazda5 also has better cargo room than the Rondo with the 3rd row or both seats down (44/77 versus 31/71).

And I agree that Mazda5 3rd row is plenty comfortable for adults under 5' 7" (i.e. most women). It also passed a 50mph rear collision test w/3rd row passenger.

[FThorn]

Amura Ray,

yep, just blame blame blame. Take no personal responsibility for being a crass jerk.

[Tim]

Actually most sites report that the total cargo room for the Mazda5 is 44.4 with 2nd and 3rd row seats folded down. It is a common misconception that there is a total of 44 with only the 3rd row seats folded down. Just get in both the Rondo and Mazda5, and you will see how much more room is in the Rondo.