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2007 Kia Rondo Road Test

A New Option For Growing Families

The world outside of North America seems to move around from 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 arent 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 Kias 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 thats surely

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

going to follow.

But what exactly is the Rondo? Its part tall hatchback and part 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

New styling direction is a big step forward. This Kias got character. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

cites everything tall and hatchback-ish as direct rivals, however, like the Dodge Caliber and Toyota Matrix, but they dont offer the van-like stature and practicality that the Rondo does. And while we cant really classify the Rondo directly as a van, as it only seats five in base trim and doesnt have sliding side doors, well minimizing confusion by doing as the Europeans do; well call it a Mini-MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle).

Kias development of the Rondo was different than with previous-generation models, not to

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

mention its different than any other European, Asian or domestic market vehicle that occupies the C-Plus Mini-MPV vehicle segment, because it doesnt 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, its been based off the much larger D-Segment, or midsize Magentis, though its been extensively modified with a big chunk of the wheelbase

Best viewed from the rear three quarters. Tailgates styling is very impressive. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

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 Rondos unique styling. Approach it from the front and it squats down in a rather athletic stance; and even though its quite a bit taller (and longer) than the Mazda5, youd 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

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

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 doesnt hurt that I happen to like the direction that Kia is taking with the styling of its cars. Its international vehicles, such as the Picanto city car, and the forthcoming ceed 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 favor of Mad Hatter levels of headroom (Renault Megane and Seat Toledo come to mind). Kias six-sided grille and large headlamps are nice, but the most interesting view of the

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

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 doesnt look cheap, with chrome accented door handles 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

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

the next Lexus, but in terms of its image the brands going nowhere but up.

The Rondo will be offered with two engines, a 2.4-liter inline-four that makes 162 hp and 164 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 2.7-liter 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. Its more fun than your average minivan. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) />
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, long hill and the four-pot Rondo will scale the incline easily, though for maximum progress its best to lock the gearbox into a specific gear (third in this case) or else itll 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, it cant 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 sixs sweeter-sounding exhaust note. You wont 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

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

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 Chryslers turbocharged PT Cruiser.

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