2008 Kia Rondo consumer reviews

Our `03 CRV was a great vehicle with a good dealer, so that was the car to beat. We considered many vehicles with similar MPGs and cargo capacity. 1) xB had good capacity and interior fabric quality, but was dark and noisy on the road. 2) FIT had sup rising capacity, great MPGs but even more road noise and slightly worse interior. 3) Soul had acceptable capacity but even worse interior fabric. 4) Rogue was very noisy with little cargo room. 5) Forrester had a harsh ride and a monotone int. 6) Mazda5, a nice pkg, slightly underpowered, but planned more as a people mover that sometimes carries cargo, but we mostly carry cargo and sometimes carry passengers. 7) RAV4, the most usable cargo capacity with the outside spare tire, but the light colored interior had too much contrasting dark trim for our taste, the V6 had too much power for FWD (didn?t want AWD). 8) Jetta Sportwagon, interior was cheap on the gas model and the diesel option costs more than any fuel savings. 9) HHR had terrible wind noise and otherwise was just so-so. Also considered several high end vehicles but only drove the Audi A4 Avant at $40k. Even it had a problem with sharp metal edges on the back doors at the belt line that could scratch people getting in and out. We test drove the Rondo immediately after the Audi and while the two vehicles are not in the same price range, we were really suprised with the Rondo. Later we drove the '09 CRV and while it has better exterior styling than the `03, it looses some nice interior capabilities. Road noise is noticeable and the light colored interior lacks cohesiveness with large titanium colored door handles and too many different textures on the seat fabric. We drove the Rondo and Mazda5 again before making a decision. The Rondo is quieter than the similarly priced vehicles and has the most upscale interior. The 7 pass. option provides lots of seating flexibility and plenty of flat-floor cargo space. Controls are within ez reach and there is an AC vent for the rear seat which many of the other cars lacked. The V6 and 5 spd is quiet with sufficient power. Ride is nice, softer than the comparables with some body roll since it is a `tall? vehicle, but we weren?t looking for a sports car. We don?t do any city driving, but urban mileage appears to be about 25-26 mpg and I expect highway only will be 28+ mpg. This fits our goals very well.

I was impressed with the size and room of the Kia Rondo. Traded in an 8 passenger 1998 Montana. I'm 6'3" and stiff with arthritis. No problems getting in and out of this Rondo. I got the V-6, EX, 7 passenger. It's a real fun car to drive. Handles real well in snow and has enough power on all the hills around Pittsburgh. I just hope the gas mileage improves. Maybe the 10 degree days we've been having have something to do with it. I only have 1300 miles on it so far.

I have a new 2009 Rondo, with 175hp 2.4l, 4 speed auto, the EX trim level. I've had it for 3 months and it now has 10,000 km on it. fit and finish on this car are second to none. Features are over the top for a 20k car. What other car in this price range offers wiper de-icers, powered heated mirrors, ABS, EBD, Traction control and stability control, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls? The standard 6 speaker 160 watt stereo sounds excellent and will play anything, CDs, mp3 CDs, it has a USB port for a memory key full of music as well as an aux port that accepts a stereo mini jack from just about anything. It will even play music wirelessly via bluetooth from my blackberry. and of course it syncs up to the phone for handsfree use via bluetooth. Like I said, over the top features for a 20k vehicle. the car is tight and squeak and rattle free. It feels like its made out of one solid lump of whatever they make them out of in Korea. the doors snick closed with an expensive sounding thunk like nothing I've ever owned to this point. the 2.4l 4 cyl engine is smooth and more than adequately powerful. At idle you can barely hear it. No need in MHO for the V6. the V6 will cost you 1 mpg and about 2k, plus increased maintenence cost over the 4 cyl. a few nits. when you open the rear hatch, no lights come on in the interior, a pesky oversight. fuel economy is not quite what I was hoping for. In mostly city driving I am averaging about 12 l/100km. On one highway outing of about 250 km it returned 9.2 l /100km at a steady 120 kph. in 10k km there have been zero defects in the car. i have to beleive the Japanese are running like mad looking over their shoulders at the Korean vehicles coming out of Kia and Hyundai. I don't beleive you can do better for 20k than the Rondo. Why can't GM build a vehicle like this instead of 600+ hp corvettes?

This car is great. I have plenty of room for my family and flexability for large cargo. Ive taken it on many trips and drove it in many driving conditions. The result is....NO PROBLEMS!! Good Job KIA

We rented this car and drove from Macon, Ga to Blue Ridge, Ga, and barely crossed a 1/4 of a tank. We drove around the city for a day and a half and for leaving we had a half tank still left. We filled up again and drove back towards Atlanta, Ga taking a detour through Conyers, Ga and back to Macon. We hit Macon with a little above a half tank. All told from Macon to Blue Ridge to Conyers to Macon it took $70. 400 +/- miles. And the thing is so comforable its amazing.

great room, options and you can't beat the warranty or price, absolutly amazing third row seating and package

Just returned from trip from PA to FL. Got 33mpg and had no trouble at all. Carried lots of luggage and had plenty of room. Seats were comfortable for long haul and never had driver fatigue. Perfect small family vehicle. Good on gas and easy to maneuver.

I like the Rondo except for two things. The gas mileage is low. The highest we have gotten is 21 mpg Hwy. And the roof rack is useless. There are no clamps made that attach to the racks cross bars. You can buy a bike rack or other racks from Kia but there are no clamps that will attach the bike rack to the Rondo?s cross bar. I saw a picture of a bike rack on a Rondo in one of the Kia pamphlets. They didn?t use the Rondo?s rack. They used an after market crossbar that went over the Rondo?s and sat on pads on the roof.

Lots of space inside for a small exterior. Has good road manners as well as easy to park in any space. what I like best is the easy in and out of the seat for seniors. It's easy to drive and gets good mileage in town. All gadgets work fine but don't really need manual shift mode. Only downside is lots of road noise on rough roads. Have added heavy duty floor mats and dash mat but may need to insulate behind wheel wells and undercoat. I'd also like a few more inches of leg room but short people will love it.

please dont buy this car, unless you really need to....I bought this 3 months ago and I had problem after problem, and warranty DOES NOT COVER EVEYTHING!!! be aware of this....ask!!