2011 Kia Rondo EX-V6 Review

[ahmed_7erzon]

Many of you reading this review are no more interested in cars or buying one than you are looking forward to your next papercut. But if you're here, you probably need one and are wisely searching for pertinent info. We auto peeps sometimes forget to keep things basic as we eat, sleep and breathe cars. In fact, a world without them would have many of us sharing a box in Vancouver's downtown east side.


I will dispense with driving dynamics, acceleration and horsepower numbers and steering input and feedback and stick to what's really important for this vehicle.

For those looking for a good, safe and basic form of family transportation, you've come to the right place. The Kia Rondo may have all the answers to your requirements. In fact, the Rondo is one of the best rounded vehicles on the road today.

Let's begin with: Can it hold all your stuff and your clan? In short, the answer is yes unless you're Octomom. The Rondo's boot is capacious, offering up a volume of 898 litres behind the second row. When lowered, that number increases to 2,083 litres. That's big.

As tested, my EX was a 5-seater. A 7-seater version is available, however when in place, the 3rd row leaves only 185 litres of cargo space. This and a fairly tight bench for most human beings make the optional rearmost bench a questionable choice. If you need more room, consider a Sorento or a Sedona.

Will you and your crew be comfortable in the Rondo? Yes. Over the years, the Koreans have bettered their seats as well as the driving position. Although the steering column will not telescope, the final setup is better than decent. The second-row 60/40-split folding bench will please with generous leg and shoulder room. Three kids under 10 should sit quietly enough for at least 8 or 9 minutes...

Next, how bad is it on gas? Not that bad. My V6-equipped Rondo has some pickup and go, but unless you need to tow something over 1,500 lbs (681 kg), stick with the base 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. I averaged nearly 11 L/100 km on my week-long test. If you're not always in a rush to get where you need to be, the 4-pot should trim about 1 L/100 km off your average.

Yes, it is an automatic. Transmission, that is, that offers up 5 gears with the V6 and 4 with the 2.4L. Does it really matter? No. In normal day-to-day driving, you'll probably never notice that the box is shifting, 4 or 5 gears. Both are fairly smooth operators, unless you're always in a rush to get where you need to be... Yes, it is an automatic. Transmission, that is, that offers up 5 gears with the V6 and 4 with the 2.4L. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) So, what about quality and reliability? Will it break down and cost gazillions to keep on the road? Thankfully and once again, the Koreans have improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Actually, their 5-5-5 Total Care Coverage warranty is one of the best in Canada. You get 5 years or 100,000 km coverage for bumper to bumper, powertrain and roadside assistance. You'll most likely not need the warranty, as the Rondo has proven to be a dependable product since its introduction as a 2007 model-year people mover. As far as quality is concerned, once more, the Koreans have got it. Truthfully, they've gone from rock-bottom to nearly leading the pack when it comes to how plastic pieces come together and how not cheap materials can look. They've done well here. And no, you will not fall asleep at the wheel of the Rondo. Kia dialed in a sufficient amount of “required involvement” from the driver to keep you wanting to drive it. If your other car is a MINI, you may find the Rondo soft and unresponsive. If it's a 1977 Fleetwood DeVille, it'll feel like a race car. Is it safe? You betcha. Six airbags, active headrests, ABS brakes with brake force distribution, traction and stability control are all standard. It has also received high ratings and good crash test results from many organizations that perform these types of tests. Will you have to crack your kid's piggy bank to get one? Nah. Base price for a Rondo is $19,995. My evaluated EX-V6 5-seater sports a sticker price of $23,895. As far as I'm concerned, this is the more interesting trim. You get power everything, cruise control, heated front seats, keyless entry, fog lamps and more. Remove the V6 and the price drops by $1,100. What else is out there? Ignoring the Mazda5 would be a sin. Price ranges are similar as are kit levels. Most notable differences include the dual sliding doors (which can be quite nice), the 6-seater configuration and the drive, which I'll let you figure out as you will need to take it for a test drive. Then, there's the Ford C-MAX but we'll have to wait a little longer to find out more on this one.

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