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By Mark GloverThe Sacramento Bee
May 4, 2007
The name's the thing with the all-new 2007 Kia Rondo. First, there's the vehicle's literal name: Rondo. Everyone has a take on it. Me, too. Mine is the 1960s TV Western take, with Rondo being the mysterious, shy new kid on the cattle drive -- slow of speech but fast on the draw. Pinning a vehicle-segment name on the South Korean-built Kia Rondo is a little more challenging. Depending on the auto reviewer or trade magazine, I've seen Rondo called a wagon, a sport wagon, a sport-utility vehicle and even a minivan derivative with traditional hinged doors. I'd call it a classic crossover and a bargain. The tested five-passenger Rondo LX, the second-least-expensive of the model's five trim levels, came in at a mere $18,880 on the bottom line. The only extras above the $17,895 starting price were a $300 "convenience package" with cruise control and remote keyless entry (worth it), carpeted floor mats for $85 (uh, your choice) and a $600 freight charge (sorry, we all pay that one). For a discount vehicle with midsize dimensions, the list of standard amenities was impressive: electronic stability control, a good safety package that includes full-length side-curtain air bags, a tire pressure monitor, power windows/locks/mirrors, six-way power driver's seat, roof rails and electronic brake force distribution on the four-wheel disc brakes. And as is the norm with Kia, you get the spectacular warranties, including the 10-year or 100,000-miles limited powertrain coverage. Exterior styling isn't unique -- the Rondo resembles other crossovers and small SUVs already on the road -- but it's pleasant. It's smoothly aerodynamic on the front end; large headlamps and taillights are nicely integrated into the body. Door handles and side moldings match Rondo's body paint. From the driver's seat, controls are large, easy to see and easy to use. I had no problem with the gear shifter being at the base of the center stack, instead of on the floor. My guess is that most short drivers will like having the gear shifter within easy reach. Interior space is actually very good for five people. I can't advise putting seven people in the 179-inch-long Rondo. Kia gives you that choice with a third-row seat -- for an extra $500 -- but one of those seven in that cramped space better be a chiropractor willing to help his/her seatmate. Whether rolling with five or seven, the Rondo's rear seats fold to offer a generous cargo-carrying area of nearly 32 cubic feet. Shortly after the Rondo made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, the marketing folks at Kia started applying the non-word, "giddyupidness," in connection with its performance capabilities. Well, on the tester, there was sufficient "go" as one might expect from a 2.4-liter, 16-valve, 162-horsepower in-line 4, but I'm not sure "giddyup" is accurate. Suffice it to say that the four-cylinder power plant handles most driving situations quite well. But on long, steep hill climbs, the motor needs serious help from your right foot. And it responds to help with a good amount of noise. "Giddyupidness" might indeed be apt for the 2.7-liter V-6 that is standard on two of the Rondo's trim levels. That engine churns out 182 horsepower and has a maximum torque rating of 182 foot-pounds. On the tester, fuel mileage came in at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Road manners were excellent, and steering was splendidly responsive. Who's going to buy Rondo? Lots of folks, I would think. Potential buyers are college students who are at least 100 miles from home and want affordable transportation that can carry some cargo; 20-somethings who don't want four-figure monthly car payments as they're getting their careers started; and families who want an affordable second vehicle to take on weekend trips and to occasionally haul some bulky cargo. Affordability, versatility and convenience. Rondo goes by all those names. 2007 Kia Rondo at a glance Make/model: 2007 Kia Rondo LX Vehicle type: Up to seven-passenger, four-door, front-drive crossover vehicle Base price: $17,895 (as tested, $18,880) Engine: 2.4-liter in-line 4 with 162 horsepower at 5,800 revolutions per minute and 164 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm EPA fuel economy: 21 miles per gallon city; 29 mpg highway Transmission: Four-speed automatic with overdrive Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel discs (vented on front) with anti-lock and electronic brake force distribution Suspension: Independent, MacPherson strut-type on front; independent multi-link on rear (anti-roll bars and coil springs front and rear) Fuel tank: 15.8 gallons Passenger volume: 107.8 cubic feet Maximum cargo volume: 31.7 cubic feet Curb weight: 3,333 pounds Height: 67.7 inches (with roof rack) Length: 179 inches Wheelbase: 106.3 inches Width: 71.7 inches Track: 62 inches on front; 61.8 inches on rear Ground clearance: 6.1 inches Towing capacity: 1,000 pounds Tires: P205/60R16 radials Port of entry: Port Hueneme (from South Korea assembly site)
Find a USED 2007 Rondo for SaleFind used car inventory in your area.
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