Friday Fleet Notes: 05.18.07

This week we get some feedback from the staff on the recently reviewed 2007 Kia Rondo, as well as a summertime treat in the Pontiac Solstice GXP. Two of our staffers turned out to have radically different impressions of the little roadster.

2007 Kia Rondo

One of the Rondo’s most impressive features is how open and airy the cabin feels; visibility is exceptional in all directions. The flipside, though, is that after driving the Rondo for a while you begin to feel like you’re piloting a giant fish bowl because pedestrians have an equally good view inside the car. Subaru’s Forester provides a similar experience, but it’s one we’re seeing on relatively few new cars these days.

• Mike Hanley, Cars.com reviewer

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

If I had to compare the Solstice GXP to any other car, I’d call it a mini Corvette. The long hood and short rear deck create a `Vette-like driving experience. And with 83 more horsepower than the standard Solstice (260 hp versus 177 hp,) it scoots like a `Vette too … well, not that fast, but it’s quick.

The interior had me questioning whether this is something I could live with everyday. The dashboard and center console are large and in charge, but despite its size there isn’t an easily accessible storage space or cubby hole where I could put my change, phone or wallet if I needed to retrieve them in a hurry. The roofline is low, and with the top up I had to duck to see the hanging green, yellow and red at stoplights.   

Personally, there is no way I would choose this car as a daily driver, mainly because of its interior shortcomings. As a weekend cruiser and bruiser, though, this would most definitely serve as entertaining top-down relief at the end of a busy week.

• Joe Bruzek, Ask.cars.com

There’s no doubt the Pontiac Solstice GXP is a good-looking, head-turning car. If that’s your top priority, then it’s probably for you. If you care about virtually anything other than image, though, you might be disappointed.

I spent a couple of hours in the Solstice this week and came away with a long list of gripes. The two-seat cabin is tiny and obnoxious, lacking any conceivable spot to lay a cell phone or MP3 player; I would have been happy with a seam big enough to wedge one into, but no dice. If a friend comes along for the ride, she better not mind holding all your stuff in her lap. The “trunk” is even worse, offering a tiny horseshoe of space good for a few loose items and nothing more, even with the top up.

Even letting the space issues go — this is a roadster, after all — the hits just keep on coming: Once I had the seat far enough forward for me to reach the pedals, the buttons to lower the powered windows were an awkward, uncomfortable reach back, as were the cupholders. The stereo readout completely washes out in direct sunlight — problematic in any car but especially so in a convertible.

As for the drive itself, nothing wowed me. The shifter was clunky and the ride was extremely rough. I get that that’s the tradeoff when you’re piloting a fun-to-drive sports car, but, unfortunately, in the real world that’s just not what the Solstice is.

• Beth Palmer, copy editor

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD

People say I should have an SUV for my hobbies (triathlons, camping, cross-country skiing) but I’ve wondered about their true utility. So I took my smallest bike to test the Grand Cherokee. Editor’s note: There are no driving impressions in this Fleet Note. A full review is in the works.

With the second-row seat upright, the Grand Cherokee holds a 58-cm road bike with both wheels removed. If you ride a smaller bike, you’ve got plenty of room — but I don’t. Whatever size bike you ride, there’s not much space left over for the wheels or your gear.

“Ah,” you say, “fold the second-row seats down.” Well then, yes, the bike fits fine. But my largest bike fit just as well in the Dodge Magnum with about as much room for gear.

So, I’m not sold. To me, if you drive that big of a vehicle and still have to fold both seats down, it’s not worth it. Give me the Honda Element, where I only had to fold one seat to fit a larger bike. Or give me the Magnum — I enjoyed driving it more.

• Bill Jackson, Buying Guides editor