Kia Rondo: Stylish utility

Kia Rondo: Stylish utility
Photos by -Autonet.ca
NORM MORT - Toronto Sun
Published: 03 12 2006

VANCOUVER -- Kia decided to call its new 2007 SUV-looking/ sedan/crossover the Rondo because as a musical term it describes motion, activity.

Kia calls the compact Rondo "Canada's first Urban Utility Vehicle" and claimed it rode like a car, yet had the attributes of an SUV.

It certainly looked SUVish, but the Rondo comes only in FWD, so the comparison ends there. As for its car-like ride --it's based on the Kia Magentis platform and proved to be very true. This will be one of the Rondo's most appealing traits, along with its utilitarian design and lengthy list of standard features.

That consists of a standard 162-hp 2.4-litre inline four with CVVT (continually variable valve timing), a four-speed automatic transmission with gate-type shift lever and Steptronic sport mode (no manual transmission is offered), six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), ABS braking with four-wheel 15-in. disc brakes, anti-whiplash active front headrests, anti-theft electronic immobilizer, power windows with one-touch down (driver's side), power locks, power mirrors, 16-in. alloy wheels with 205/60HR16 tires, five-person seating, floor mats and mudguards.

Those even more active and with larger families or more stuff to haul may add such optional equipment as a 182-hp, 2.7-litre V6 with CVVT, third-row flat-folding seats for seven-person seating, 17-in. alloy wheels, AC, cruise control, keyless entry, roof rack, leather seating, heated front seats, power sliding and tilting sunroof, and more.

I had the chance to drive both the V6 and the four-cylinder and unless you really want to haul a lot the 2.4-litre four with 162 hp and 164 lb.-ft. of torque while returning city fuel economy of 11 L/100 km and highway economy of 7.5 L/100 km was more than adequate. Getting onto the highway and accelerating from stops was easily accomplished. Certainly, the 2.7-litre V6 engine offers 182 hp and 182 lb.-ft. torque with only slightly worse fuel economy figures (11.8 city/7.9 highway), but it certainly isn't a necessity.

The towing capacity of the four cylinder model is 1500 kg with trailer brakes and 2000 kg with the V6 similarly equipped.

In a world of two-box vehicles, the exterior styling of the Rondo is best described as different. Its front end styling borrows heavily from its Hyundai brethren, while the rear end looks very GM SUV. Any awkwardness in its appearance stems from the side profile and fourth window, but then that's the real character line that makes the Rondo so distinctive.

The Rondo has a good stance and the styling grows on you. I found the more I sat inside and drove the Rondo the more I liked it.

The interior of the Rondo is very comfortable and spacious (best in class, Kia claims), with excellent ergonomics and enough storage bins and coffee cup and water bottle holders to accommodate the maximum five or seven passengers.

I looked at the third-row seat and cringed, but it was easy to get in and out of and there was enough room that I didn't have to assume a yoga position to fit. I could also walk upright after traveling back there. I was pleasantly surprised!

Both back rows of seats fold down easily to provide enough room for a even kayak.

You can order automatic climate control with separate thermostats for the driver and passenger, while rear seat passengers are treated to their own rear air and heating ducts. All the controls are tactile knobs and the dash doesn't have a variety of plastic finishes for a more quality look.

The fit and finish was up to the highest standards and the few hours' driving were both comfortable and uneventful including a drive up into the mountains on a dirt road. The Rondo's fully independent suspension -- McPherson strut up front and a multilink rear -- can handle the roughness, but traction started to suffer in the snow covered back roads. Winter driving won't be a problem, but the unibody Rondo isn't an SUV.

And driving up to Whistler and back over a wide variety of roads in both snowy and rainy weather, Rondo proved to be a good nomenclature. It is ideally suited for those whose lives are in constant motion and full of activity thanks to its very flexible seating and storage capabilities while being a very comfortable and a capable performer.

Kia sees its competition being the Toyota Matrix, Mazda5, Dodge Caliber and Chevy HHR and notes its four-cylinder engine has the greatest horsepower and the Rondo is the only one in this group that offers a V6.

Prices for the very utilitarian yet stylish 2007 Kia Rondo start at $19,995 with six standard airbags -- dual front, dual side and dual curtain.

The Rondo is arriving in seven different colours in Kia showrooms now and should prove to not only continue to increase sales of this fastest growing auto manufacturer, but also to help develop its own distinct character and styling to further separate it from Hyundai, which will not have an equivalent model.

SUBSCRIBE or Unsubscribe