2007 Kia Rondo Road Test

by Justin Couture
Canadian Auto Press

A New Option For Growing Families

The world outside of North America seems to move around from

Not too big, not too small, Rondo is just the right size for a small family. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

place to place in downsized vehicles. Go to Europe or Asia and, on the whole, just about everything on wheels is two-thirds to three-quarters sized; hatchbacks, family sedans and even minivans. Small cars aren't trendy in other markets, mind you, but have long been that way due to narrower roads and decades of extremely pricy fuel. Still, despite our fuel prices rising dramatically over the last year or two, getting small only remains a trend here, rather than the norm. The trend continues to grow, however, particularly with vans, and Kia's proactive decision to offer its roomy little Rondo in North America has netted it a secure spot in the mini-minivan market, ahead of the storm that's surely going to follow.

But what exactly is the Rondo? It's part tall hatchback and part

New styling direction is a big step forward. This Kia's got character. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

minivan, which makes it a sort of a junior-sized crossover vehicle. North America has seen a couple of these family haulers before - the Mitsubishi Expo/LR-V, Dodge Colt Vista and Eagle Vista, the Nissan Axxess and the Honda Civic Wagon - but really, the only thing that it competes with now is the Mazda5 and Maybe, in size anyway, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Kia cites everything tall and hatchback-ish as direct rivals, however, like the Dodge Caliber and Toyota Matrix, but they don't offer the van-like stature and practicality that the Rondo does. And while we can't really classify the Rondo directly as a van, as it only seats five in base trim and doesn't have sliding side doors, we'll minimizing confusion by doing as the Europeans do; we'll call it a Mini-MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle).

Kia's development of the Rondo was different than with previous-generation

Cargo volume on five-seater version is ample. On the seven seat version with all three rows up? Not so much. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

models, not to mention it's different than any other European, Asian or domestic market vehicle that occupies the C-Plus Mini-MPV vehicle segment, because it doesn't share any roots with a C-Segment, or compact vehicle. The Mazda5 is based off the Mazda3, much the same way that the Citroen Picasso is based off the C4, the Touran off the Golf/Rabbit, and the Ford C-MAX off the Focus. The Rondo has nothing at all in common with the Spectra. Instead, it's been based off the much larger D-Segment, or midsize Magentis, though it's been extensively modified with a big chunk of the wheelbase surgically removed. Kia also designed a new multi-link rear suspension for the Rondo with a compact spring and damper design, allowing for a low lift-over height for the cargo bay, not to mention space for the third row of seats.

Those big bones are what make for the basis of the Rondo's unique styling. Approach it from the front and it squats down in a rather athletic stance; and even though it's quite a bit taller (and longer) than the Mazda5, you'd never know because of its width. What also differentiates the Rondo from vehicles of its type are the design consistencies with regular hatchbacks. Equal proportions of glass to metal and a low belt-line from the side contribute to lessening van-like looks, as does the defined hood, normal windshield angle and the decision to use regular side doors instead of sliders.


It also doesn't hurt that I happen to like the direction that Kia is

Best viewed from the rear three quarters. Tailgate's styling is very impressive. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

taking with the styling of its cars. Its international vehicles, such as the Picanto city car, and the forthcoming c'eed are amongst the best looking in their class, adopting the kind of lines that are typically associated with European cars before they abandoned sleekness in favour of Mad Hatter levels of headroom (Renault Megane and Seat Toledo come to mind). Kia's six-sided grille and large headlamps are nice, but the most interesting view of the Rondo is from the rear three quarters. It actually has shoulders where the upper half of the body tapers in by the rearmost window segment, and the angled, concave surface of the tailgate with kinked tail lamps that follow the vertical profile looks especially attractive.

It also doesn't look cheap, with chrome accented door handles

Upgraded 17-inch wheels give the Rondo a sporty, planted look. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

and a chrome-lined lower fascia giving it an upscale appearance. On that note, all Rondos get 16-inch alloy wheels at the very least, with seven-seater models gaining torque-star 17-inchers, and everything above the base model gets fog lamps as standard. This is the kind of stuff that makes the Kia Rondo an impressively clean design, for which Kia should pat itself on the back. The Korean company might not be the next Lexus, but in terms of its image the brand's going nowhere but up.

The Rondo will be offered with two engines, a 2.4-litre inline-four

Automatics for all; four-cylinder gets four gears while the six gets five. It should be the other way around, though. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

that makes 162 hp and 164 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 2.7-litre V6 that nets an additional 20 horsepower and 18 lb-ft of torque, both of which are borrowed from the larger Magentis sedan. The four is of the Chrysler-Hyundai-Mitsubishi "World Engine" variety, which means variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder and all that jazz. The six is a thoroughbred Korean powerplant, and an unusual offering. The Rondo is the only vehicle in the segment that offers anything more than four cylinders, let alone this level if power. Both engines are also automatic-only, the four gets a four-speed while the six gets an extra cog. Both gearboxes have a manual mode.

In most circumstances, the four-cylinder is more than capable of moving the Rondo around. In general it is reasonably peppy when called upon to accelerate due in part to a jumpy accelerator pedal. Show it a big hill, such as the one it takes to get to West Vancouver's Upper Levels Highway en route to Whistler from Vancouver, and the four-pot Rondo will scale the incline easily, though for maximum progress it's best to lock the gearbox into a specific gear (third in this case) or else it'll hunt. I can imagine one loaded with passengers and luggage might begin to feel taxed under the same situation.

As much as I admire the tractability and efficiency that the four offers,

Behold... the only V6 in its class! (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

it can't match the V6 for smoothness and all-out grunt. The six simply flies; the thrummy backdrop of the inline-four is replaced mostly by the six's sweeter-sounding exhaust note. You won't be hearing too much of it though, as the extra gear keeps the revs ultra low, improving fuel consumption and reducing noise. With the V6 on hand, the Rondo becomes the most powerful vehicle in its class, out-pacing everything around it - Mazda5, Chevy HHR, Toyota Martix - with the exception of Chrysler's turbocharged PT Cruiser.


With a car like the Rondo, you don't expect very much from the

It's more fun than your average minivan. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

vehicle when it comes to dynamics, especially from something that seats seven. The steering has a weighty feel, although with little weight around the nose it steers into corners decently. And though it's no sports car, Kia has done a very good job setting up the suspension, which, like the Magentis it's sourced from, has been tuned to meet European tastes. It corners very flatly, with a ride that's firm but well dampened, those nitrogen-filled shocks soaking up almost anything the road can throw its way; it's more than sporty enough to warrant a manual transmission. The extra-rigid structure and rear suspension system helps the Rondo feel composed and tied-down, even at speed in a heavy downpour.

From the inside, the Rondo bridges the gap between minivan

Seats are comfy, and the position gives a commanding view of the road. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

and hatchback with a layout and driving position that's similar to many of its competitors, such as the Matrix and Caliber. The climb is no higher than a regular car, but you sit on the seats rather than in them, facing an ergonomically correct, console-mounted gearshift lever. The dashboard is a mix of Asian and European influences, with moulded round vents and flushly integrated, orange-backlit stereo and climate controls. The orange trim around the hazard lights looks a little too much like the red-orange LED information strip on Mazda's 5, mind you.

Overall, Kia's done a good job with the interior of the Rondo. All

Everything's easy to reach. Orange trim reminds us of Mazda's 5. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

the panels on the dash and console fit with a precise tightness and the materials feel robust and built to last, though use of soft-touch plastics is limited to the arm rests and doors. Yep, that's it. But there are improvements in other areas.

The headliner, for instance is made of proper cloth rather than the nasty mouse-hair fuzz that's popped up in previous cars. The seats are comfortable enough for the long haul, and when opting for the top-rung model, perforated leather takes the place of cloth trim. And in terms of luxury items, the digital climate control and CD-stereo system both look and work great.

As a five-seater, the Rondo is a fairly spacious vehicle with ample room

Third row is really for children, or for punishing the annoying one in the carpool. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

in all directions for all passengers. On the seven-seater model, things start to get a little tight when the third row is deployed from its fold-flat position within the floor. The second row, which is mounted on rails, slides forward in order to make legroom, but riding with seven on board should really only be for short trips. Though head, hip and shoulder room are completely acceptable, it's the legroom that's tight. And wear Pumas or sleek running shoes; big clog-like dress shoes won't fit. Where the seats normally go on the seven-seater model, two sets of weatherized storage compartments to store valuables or other things that might float around in your trunk make the five-seater more convenient for smaller families. The seven-seater version also loses 16 litres (0.6 cu-ft) of total cargo space, also attributed to the third row.


Families will undoubtedly take comfort in the fact that even without

Entry to the third row is easy; just pull up on that lever mounted on the side of the seat. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

the height and weight of a sport utility vehicle, the Rondo will keep everyone inside safe. All the usual stuff, like three-point seatbelts at each seating position, and six airbags including side-curtain airbags that extend the entire length of the cabin are standard. Four-wheel discs with ABS and electronic brake force distribution are also standard. Beyond that, there's even active front headrests to prevent whiplash, and electronic stability control, two top-tier feature that aren't normally available with this kind of vehicle, especially one that starts at under twenty grand. Kia is also betting strongly for a good score in the EuroNCAP/IIHS tests thanks to a resoundingly stiff body structure.

Stepping up the game all-round in a manner as great as this usually entails cutting back on value, but, of course, if Kia did that, the Rondo just wouldn't be a Kia. Instead, it's extremely well equipped even in base form, which starts at $19,995, and features power everything, plus all that aforementioned safety equipment. Actually, the only items it lacks are air conditioning, keyless entry and an auxiliary input jack for an MP3 player (Kia says it's working on it). Less than $5,000 more will land a fully loaded V6 with leather. But dial it back down to base trim and the Rondo comes out cheaper than its comparably-equipped competitors. There's one factor that must be considered, however, as its chief rival, the Mazda5, seats six in standard guise, not five, but then again it can't seat seven either. If a minimum of six seats is a must, the Mazda actually comes our cheaper off the rack. If five or seven is what you need, then go for the Rondo. There are other factors that weight in favour of either, of course, from a longer, more comprehensive warranty in Kia's camp, to Mazda's tres chic image boosting up the 5, etc, etc.

After sticking it out for two generations in one of the most

Sixteen inch alloy wheels are standard, even on the base model. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

competitive segments in the global market, Kia has come up with a product that will be able to gain massive ground in Europe and Asia, plus dig its heels in as an innovator in the North American marketplace. The opposition isn't exactly going to be taking this sitting down, as rivals are already preparing to launch new and improved designs. Next year, Honda's North American operations will offer a Mini-MPV of their own, based off of the recently redesigned Stream, and you can be certain that Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen won't be too far behind, amongst others. Although, since parent company Hyundai won't be getting its own version of the Rondo, it's clear sailing for Kia for the time being.

Specifications (Rondo):

• Price Range (Rondo MSRP): $19,995 - $25,995
• Body Type: 5-door mini-MPV
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 162 hp, 164 lb-ft of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve DOHC I-6
• Opt. Engine: 182 hp,  182 lb-ft of torque, 2.7L, 24-valve DOHC V6
• Transmission: 4-spd auto w/Steptronic manual mode (V6: 5-spd auto w/Steptronic)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,545 / 1,820 / 1,650 / 2,700 mm (178.9 / 71.7 / 65.0 / 106.3 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,515 - 1,686 kg (3,340 - 3,716 lbs)
• Tires (front / rear): 205/60R16 (opt. 225/50R17)
• Cargo Volume (5-seat up / down): 430 / 2,106 L (15.2 / 74.4 cu-ft)
• Cargo Volume (7-seat 3rd row up / 3rd row down / 2nd row down): 74 / 414 / 2,106 L (2.6 / 14.7 / 74.4 cu-ft)
• Fuel Economy (I-4; city/hwy): 11.0 / 7.5 L/100 km
• Fuel Economy (V6; city/hwy): 11.8 / 7.9 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 60/100,000 comprehensive
• Competitors: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Caliber, Mazda5, Mercedes-Benz B200, Toyota Matrix
• Website: www.kia.ca