It looks like a compact crossover sport utility vehicle. Indeed, its dimensions place it firmly in that segment. Inside, however, the new-for-2007 Kia Rondo feels more like a mid-size – width excepted – and it is surprisingly flexible. Give credit to a versatile seating arrangement and an available third row seat that boost passenger capacity to seven.
Indeed, clever packaging could be considered the Rondo’s prime claim to fame. Front seats are comfortable, thanks to ample leg room and very good head room. That tall body structure pays dividends.
In the second row seats, taller adults will again find sufficient leg room, once these seats, which are split 60/40 and fold for more cargo room, are moved back on their tracks. That high roof also ensures that second row riders will have ample head room. This is one compact that feels more like a mid-sized crossover. Even the third row seats can be tolerable for average adults on a short cross-town jaunt. All in all, an excellent performance for a vehicle that is just 179 inches long.
Both the third and second row seats fold to form a flat load floor. Folding the second row seats requires removal of the head restraints, but Kia includes a parking spot for all three units. Converted for cargo, the rear of the Kia Rondo is impressively tall, and utilizing the slot between the two front seats, I was able to carry some eight-foot long framing timber with the tailgate closed and not so much as nick or scratch imposed anywhere on the interior. With the third row folded, 31.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity is available. With second and third row seats down, 74.4 cubic feet can accommodate all kinds of stuff. Both capacities are highly competitive for the class.
Kia offers the Rondo in two trim levels and with two drivetrains. The base model is the LX. Our review car, loaned to us by Kia, was the EX. Buyers of either trim level can choose the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine with a four-speed automatic or the V-6 with the five-speed automatic. Both engines drive the front wheels and only the front wheels. The Kia Rondo parts company with many crossovers by not offering a four- or all-wheel drive option.
Equipped with the 182-horsepower V-6 engine, our Rondo turned in a perfectly adequate performance. The engine was smooth and refined and the five-speed automatic shifted reasonably well. Still, the Rondo took 9.2 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, though its day-to-day performance felt better than that number suggests. Consider the vehicle ideal for family use, though it will do little to quicken the pulse of enthusiasts when it come time to press hard on the accelerator pedal.
Handling, too, plants the Rondo firmly in the family vehicle camp. Cornering was accompanied by some body lean and good steering feel. Our Rondo, however, was not particularly crisp in turns and when pressed, it pushed toward the outside of a corner in just the way one would expect a compact, front-wheel drive wagon to do. Handling security is enhanced by stability control, which is standard on all Rondos, even the least expensive model. All competitive vehicles should be so equipped, but are not. As for braking, our Rondo stopped in 120 feet from 60 miles per hour, an excellent performance.
Other standard safety features include front, front side and side curtain air bags that cover all three rows.
If the relaxed suspension softened handling responses, it did nice things for the ride. Rough Hartford streets were handled aplomb. Noise levels were good for the class.
Base models with the four-cylinder engine dip under the $17,000 threshold and include power windows, power mirrors, power locks and an audio system. Add the V-6 engine and Kia includes air conditioning.
Our EX adds cruise control, remote keyless entry system, fog lights, heated power mirrors and leather wrapped steering wheel. Optional on our car were leather upholstery with heated front seats, a power sunroof, upgraded Infinity audio system and the third row seat. The V-6 powered EX started at $20,795 and ended up at an affordable $23,495.
EPA ratings with the V-6 engine are 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. I averaged 23.9 miles per gallon in my week of use. Think of the Kia Rondo as flexible, affordable and family friendly.
