Comments on: 2008 KIA Rondo7 – Long Term Evaluation

By: Ken D

Ken D — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:42:54 +0000

I’ve been driving the base model automatic Rondo for the last few weeks as a loan car and I’ve found it to be a nice car for the price. I do agree that it needs that extra power when fully loaded but for general driving around town, school runs etc it’s fine. I found the extra seats handy when I needed to take the extra kid or two with me while general driving it was basically a five seat wagon with lots of room.

I do question why KIA didn’t bring it in with the 2.4 litre 4 cylinder with the 5 speed Auto from the Magentis or even a Diesel option.

From the American web page, I’m sure the car is available with the 2.7 V6 with the 5 speed Auto from the Magentis (Optima in the US). This again would be a good option.

Anyway, for the price of a mid spec Toyota Corolla Hatch with 1.8, 4 speed Auto, you can get this with more carrying capacity and 7 seats. Both my wife and I like it and when i’m due to replace my car, I will visit the KIA dealer near me.

By: The Salesman

The Salesman — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:53:33 +0000

Allot of success selling these to families who have a used people mover budget but don’t want a second hand car. Anthony i look forward to your reports, any evidence i find from motoring journalists make great reference points to prospective buyers.

By: Realcars

Realcars — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:53:55 +0000

Shouldn’t compare Kia/Hyundai to Proton as they are their own car whereas Proton are still previous gen Lancer copies.

By: Bret

Bret — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:47:03 +0000

Pablo,
The space between the last row of setas and the tailgate actually looks to be more than a Kluger, and it would want to be, because it IS a problem with the Kluger, as a medium suitcase will only just stand up in that area. come to think of it, it’s generally a problem with most of these 7 seeters.

By: Cupid Stunt aka No Name

Cupid Stunt aka No Name — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:41:49 +0000

VW Freak – your concerns about rear end shunts and your off-spring are unfounded, there are rules concerning crash intrusion. Short of being rear ended my the prostitute murdering truckers (aaaw shucks thats really funny isn’t it Thomarse79) I think you’d be safe.

Not a bad wagon especially for the money, if you want to afford a better(??) one for greater cost, then why comment. Strange!!!

Having sat in one at the motorshow the only comment I would have is the interiors are not a tough or well presented at the far pricier options. Pay yer money takes yer choice.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:33:23 +0000

You get what you pay for people! And on that basis this is a pretty good value car.

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Kia, Proton and the like and rightly so. But this car is what it is, the most affordable 7 seater!

By: Pablo

Pablo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:03:42 +0000

The lack of boot space would be my biggest beef…& the lack of torque. Apart from that, it looks like a bargain.

By: Realcars

Realcars — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:28:19 +0000

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

By: graf

graf — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:22:55 +0000

We have a Citroen Picasso with just about everything you could possibly imagine included and a 2lt diesel for $40K. Its been brilliant.

When you spec up safety, economy and (some sort of) style with 7 seaters you get a very short list.

By: Richo

Richo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:22:26 +0000

VW Freak – a porsche 911 is better then a mazda mx5 as well, oh yeah right the price difference… mate your comparisons are rediculous, your comparing 50 grand cars to 30 grand cars, what the hell kind of drugs are you on? That’s not even close to a valid comparison.

And “what price tag do you put on your kids life” geez come on man get a grip, not everyone can afford to spend 50k on a car you monkey! Some of us have to do the best we can with 30k, alot of people even less! And anyway are you suggesting all of those with families who don’t own really big cars (because bigger always means safer…) are un-caring about the lifes of their families? come on mate, your being a nob

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:44:54 +0000

O, NZ laws basically say that if a car is compliant with relevant safety and emission standards in Australia, USA, EU or Japan then it is suitable for importation to NZ. So importers dont need to go through their own costly ADR compliance testing for each new model or engine that they wish to sell.

By: O

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:42:54 +0000

doent new zealand have a diesel rondo? i think it is becuase new zealand uses other countries laws or something for its cars.Also new zealand gets a diesal corrolla!

{i dont live in new zealand im just dissapointed we dont get the corrolla wagon which looks better than the hatch]

By: Carl

Carl — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:32:48 +0000

This thing is crying out for a 2Lt diesel with 350NM of torque!!!

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:25:56 +0000

The Kluger starts at about 40k no? Th whole point of the Rondo is that its cheap and a lot of families with six or seven people can’t afford a $40,000 Kluger. And it’s much safer to get a Rondo (i don’t know how anybody got the idea that it’s unsafe, by the way) than a second hand Tarago or Carnival.

By: Bret

Bret — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:42:01 +0000

VW Freak,

Anthony Crawford said that the Rondo has a good chasis, ie it handles well.

The Kluger drives like a truck, drinks fuel like a truck and handles like a truck.

I’m not saying that the Rondo is anything special, as I haven’t driven one, but I recently crossed the kluger OFF my list, mainly, because of the poor driving dynamics.

The Kluger is grossely over estimated and over rated by many people.

By: Myke

Myke — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:18:12 +0000

The Rondo isn’t a dead trap VWF, and anyway the Kluger is a SIX-cylinder 7-seat FWD with a SUV body.
Apart from the Tarago’s size, the $50k version doesn’t offer that much over a Rondo. Plus the Tarago is ugly as sin.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:07:46 +0000

VW Freak, the Kia has safety in spades. Unlike Kluger’s ESP system…

By: VW Freak

VW Freak — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:00:30 +0000

What do value more Myke, your children’s lives or your money? Actually, let’s forget the 50K Tarago for a moment. Let’s save 10K and go a Kluger KX-R seven seater. Now I’m no Dingo, but I’d rather either of these vehicles over the Kia.

By: Myke

Myke — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:44:04 +0000

The Tarago is hardly in the same league as a Rondo, the Rondo is about $25k cheaper. I think the Rondo is a very smart car, why should anyone pay over $40k for a 7-seat FWD People-Mover with a 4-cylinder?

However I don’t think that engine will cut it, with seven on board and luggage. Why don’t we get a diesel in Oz?

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:10:28 +0000

A very good car in my opinion. Its not expensive, yet is also safe, looks quite handsome, clever interior and is a good overall package. And their engines are superb for durability (believe it or not).

Well done Kia, another Suzuki/Hyundai coming through…