CTC Review: 2008 Kia Rondo

[Schmengie]

I said in a previous post that I thought the Rondo's butt looked like it was gob-smacked with a large piece of dimensional lumber. I still think so, and I don't like those truncated rear-quarter windows either. Styling over function never made much sense to me, especially in utilitarian vehicles like the Rondo. Kia also needs to do something about the driving position, which is too bus-like for me. 

[MedicineMan]

Schmengie, are you sure you're not channeling Gottarondo?  I could have swore Gottarondo originally made that "lumber" comment, but I guess I'm mistaken.  I agree with your comment, although I'm only agreeing to what I think you mean by it (i.e., the vertical flat area below the rear-hatch window looks like it was walloped with some mean piece of timber).  I'm not sure if you were also including that as "styling over function," because if you were, I don't see it.  I think it would have been more of a styling choice if the Rondo's lower butt had been extended so that it looks less truncated and more pleasing to the eyes of some people.  The case could be made that the Rondo would actually be more functional with an extended lower butt due to the slight increase in cargo space--but that would defeat the Rondo's mission of having big-time capacity in the smallest footprint.

I also agree with your comment about the truncated rear-quarter windows, which most definitely is a style-over-function choice (I think Gottarondo mentioned this before, too).  But come on, I think most people would agree that the Rondo is thoroughly utilitarian, so the Rondo can't be given a pass for having just one flourish or two?  To tell you the truth, I haven't really noticed those two blind spots.  It isn't that significant to me, but I can't say for sure why that is.  Sure, on paper, you can easily imagine huge blind spots existing in the rear corners, but nothing beats real-world experience.  That's just me, though, and perhaps other Rondo owners have a different tale to tell.

Unlike you, I like the "bus-like" driving position.  My back seems to appreciate it, plus that upright position gives me a commanding view of the road and I just feel more confident with my back straight and my shoulders back.  Yeah, a lot of that is psychological, but that counts too, doesn't it?

[safristi]

  why ya musta been onna BUSES...................i should give U a clippie about tha ear mate................... 1 an thrupenny!!??...and 'ere i fought ya were GOIN' All the WAY.................

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Awwwwwww, the Rondo rear end styling is the best of any angle to me.

Hyundai is getting a tall roofed Elantra Wagon last I heard, based off the Euro model.

[Schmengie]

Schmengie, are you sure you're not channeling Gottarondo?  I could have swore Gottarondo originally made that "lumber" comment, but I guess I'm mistaken.  I agree with your comment, although I'm only agreeing to what I think you mean by it (i.e., the vertical flat area below the rear-hatch window looks like it was walloped with some mean piece of timber).  I'm not sure if you were also including that as "styling over function," because if you were, I don't see it.  I think it would have been more of a styling choice if the Rondo's lower butt had been extended so that it looks less truncated and more pleasing to the eyes of some people.  The case could be made that the Rondo would actually be more functional with an extended lower butt due to the slight increase in cargo space--but that would defeat the Rondo's mission of having big-time capacity in the smallest footprint.

I also agree with your comment about the truncated rear-quarter windows, which most definitely is a style-over-function choice (I think Gottarondo mentioned this before, too).  But come on, I think most people would agree that the Rondo is thoroughly utilitarian, so the Rondo can't be given a pass for having just one flourish or two?  To tell you the truth, I haven't really noticed those two blind spots.  It isn't that significant to me, but I can't say for sure why that is.  Sure, on paper, you can easily imagine huge blind spots existing in the rear corners, but nothing beats real-world experience.  That's just me, though, and perhaps other Rondo owners have a different tale to tell.

Unlike you, I like the "bus-like" driving position.  My back seems to appreciate it, plus that upright position gives me a commanding view of the road and I just feel more confident with my back straight and my shoulders back.  Yeah, a lot of that is psychological, but that counts too, doesn't it?

Don't get me wrong, the Rondo's an attractive vehicle in a lot of ways. It's well-built, has a very nicely done and incredibly spacious interior and it  drives very nicely, just to name few. I just happen to think that the details I mentioned could have been done better, that's all. The rear-quarter window's abrupt kick-up did make for noticeable blind-spots when I did a test drive, and the indentation in the hatch under the window looks out of place to me. Smoothing the sheetmetal here might actually provide a little more cargo room. I agree that the driving position is a subjective measurement and if the Rondo's suits you, that's great. I found it quite uncomfortable, but that's just me. 

[MedicineMan]

Thanks for clarifying your views, Schmengie.  I just wanted to clarify my own view on the idea that the indentation below the rear-hatch window is an example of "style over function."  The fact is, there is no inward bump on the inside of the rear-hatch door due to the indentation, so this particular styling flourish isn't taking up any cargo space.

The rear-hatch door can absorb the indentation because it's much thicker than the indentation is deep.  The indentation is more shallow than you are probably remembering it to be.  If there is a gain in storage space due to not having the indentation (sort of like pushing in on one side and popping out on the other), it would be negligible at best (we're talking about millimetres here in a localized area).  The indentation hardly qualifies as "style over function."

Is there a drinking game for every time I say "indentation"?

Edit: vastly simplifying my post

[safristi]

Yeah it's called havva nuffer ROUNDO on ME..............     IN DENT TATION is that POSH fer BITE_ME......teeth hee..........

[Seafoam]

This is not a new car or concept from what I have read. It seems to have been in Europe for a while and this is an update from there. So perhaps we will benefit from the overseas development. In my opinion, if Hyundai/Kia can get it right, there should be prospects for considerable success here.

It's not that these Rondo type vehicle have not been sold here before. Remember the Nissan Multi and Dodge Colt Vista and Eagle whatever.People didn't buy them here for some reason probably not enough gusto. Maybe  we are ready for these vehicles again as the price of gas goes higher. 

[gottarondo]

We have just been off-line for four days due to a computer problem (try adding THAT to Christmas for family stress) so I'm late to address the source of the lumber comment.  It was not me who made it initially but I enjoyed it so much that I have referred to it since its original appearance.  Schmengie's point about the rear quarter windows is also well taken; I would prefer to lose that upswing in the beltline for better visibility.  However, I am always amazed at how much better the visibility is when I fold down the second row of seats or at least drop as many of the headrests as I can - the window line isn't the only source of sightline problems, and may actually make a minimal contribution as MM says.  I find the thickness of the pillars in the rear (and in the front), especially relative to the size of the rear window itself, to be more of an issue. 

MM, I'm glad someone finally did that side-by-side photo thing with the Fit.  As I think I've related before, we ordered our Rondo when there were none on roads, none in showrooms (except for two for a brief time at the dealership we visited), no ads, and not even a colour brochure (which explains why we didn't get Aqua Silver; it just looked grey on the photocopy) - so by the time we'd waited for it for two weeks, I'd pretty much forgotten what it looked like.  So when I saw an ad for a Honda Fit, it took me a minute to register that it wasn't identical to the Rondo, especially as the cars are always photographed alone and you can't "get" their size.  But for all that, the Fit looks more uptight - I mean, upright - and for all its utilitarian design, the Rondo does have a little slope and stance. 

Seating - I love the bench feel of it as I despise climbing over side bolsters every time I have to get in and out of the car, which is often.  Although, while the seat back support is adequate, I have to say lumbar support is somewhat minimal.  But I like sitting upright; that racy curved position in our Suzuki gave me heartburn :-)

It's not that these Rondo type vehicle have not been sold here before. Remember the Nissan Multi and Dodge Colt Vista and Eagle whatever.People didn't buy them here for some reason probably not enough gusto. Maybe  we are ready for these vehicles again as the price of gas goes higher. 

And prior to that, the Fiat Multipla.  Not sure what the archetypal vehicle is in this class.  But interestingly I still see a few of those others on the the road and gather that in their day they acquired a bit of cult status - rejected by the masses, but adored by their owners.  I get that feel from the Rondo for some reason, but oddly not so much from the Mazda 5.  It may be because I still feel not many people understand what kind of vehicle the Rondo is, and so it retains that feeling of an undiscovered secret. 

Also thanks Conwel for making the important point that the front passenger seat in the 7-seater model does not fold forward.  There are definitely some tradeoffs for that 7-seat flexibility, and that's one of them. 

[Jameskie63]

I looked at and test drove the 7 seater V6 Luxury model recently, thinking about a purchase this spring. I am still doing some comparison shopping for a smallish utility vehicle as a 2nd car, so I will be trying out the new Matrix/Vibe and the Mazda5 as well.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was roomy, very well equipped, rode pretty well (not as well as my daily driver SAAB 9-5, but surprisingly well), and had decent pick-up. About the only thing I didn't like was the 7-seat configuaration. I have no use for the 3rd row so much preferred the storage and flatter floor with no gaps in the 5 seater. Unfortunately, I also like a sun roof, climate control, and leather, and that isn't available in the Canadian 5 seater. It is available in the US market. I found the same problem when looking at the Santa Fe last year, as a possible replacement to the 9-5. I wanted the GLS version with leather and sunroof, and it can't be had in our market. Available in the US optioned that way? - you bet. As Mick says, you can't always get what you want....

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I have no use for the 3rd row so much preferred the storage and flatter floor with no gaps in the 5 seater. Unfortunately, I also like a sun roof, climate control, and leather, and that isn't available in the Canadian 5 seater. It is available in the US market. I found the same problem when looking at the Santa Fe last year, as a possible replacement to the 9-5. I wanted the GLS version with leather and sunroof, and it can't be had in our market. Available in the US optioned that way? - you bet. As Mick says, you can't always get what you want....

Hyundai added a Santa Fe GLS 5-seater later in 2007MY, if I recall. So they listened to you, and hopefully Kia has their ear open as well.

[random006]

I realy can't understand the thinking re. model configuration. I have the same requirements as the previous poster and will never need the rear seat. What gives here. This is a good product but I hope they have their marketing ducks lined up before I buy this type of vehicle. Whilst I have no problem buying a four cylinder; it would be nice to have the choice of a six without the rear seat considering the fact that fuel consumption is not much different between the two.

You can have the 6 without the 3rd row seat.  What you can't have is the fully loaded 6 without the 3rd row seat.  I agree that it is a shame about these packaging deals.  However, it seems fairly common based on previous threads discussing the issue.

[odman]

This is not a new car or concept from what I have read. It seems to have been in Europe for a while and this is an update from there. So perhaps we will benefit from the overseas development. In my opinion, if Hyundai/Kia can get it right, there should be prospects for considerable success here.

It's not that these Rondo type vehicle have not been sold here before. Remember the Nissan Multi and Dodge Colt Vista and Eagle whatever.People didn't buy them here for some reason probably not enough gusto. Maybe  we are ready for these vehicles again as the price of gas goes higher. 

The Nissan Axxess was the other original microvan, selling quite well from '90-'95. I always liked them and still see lots on the road. You could even get a 7-passenger version for a while, but I can't imagine how small it would have been. AWD was an option too. Honda's Wagovan (Civic stationwagon) was a bit smaller, but also available with AWD.

The problem with these, and with the larger but equally efficient '95-'98 Odyssey was that they were priced at or above entry-level Caravans. The '98 Odyssey was a $30,000 van, in a market when Chrysler was selling Caravans below $20k (last summer you could still get value Caravans for $15,666)

Opel's Zafira is probably the best of this concept, and the next generation is rumoured to be coming to North America. We've been waiting 5-7 years for Honda to bring over its Stream.

[airbalancer]

I realy can't understand the thinking re. model configuration. I have the same requirements as the previous poster and will never need the rear seat. What gives here. This is a good product but I hope they have their marketing ducks lined up before I buy this type of vehicle. Whilst I have no problem buying a four cylinder; it would be nice to have the choice of a six without the rear seat considering the fact that fuel consumption is not much different between the two.

You can have the 6 without the 3rd row seat.  What you can't have is the fully loaded 6 without the 3rd row seat.  I agree that it is a shame about these packaging deals.  However, it seems fairly common based on previous threads discussing the issue.

6

[stodge]

I realy can't understand the thinking re. model configuration. I have the same requirements as the previous poster and will never need the rear seat. What gives here. This is a good product but I hope they have their marketing ducks lined up before I buy this type of vehicle. Whilst I have no problem buying a four cylinder; it would be nice to have the choice of a six without the rear seat considering the fact that fuel consumption is not much different between the two.

You can have the 6 without the 3rd row seat.  What you can't have is the fully loaded 6 without the 3rd row seat.  I agree that it is a shame about these packaging deals.  However, it seems fairly common based on previous threads discussing the issue.

6

V6

[conwelpic]

I realy can't understand the thinking re. model configuration. I have the same requirements as the previous poster and will never need the rear seat. What gives here. This is a good product but I hope they have their marketing ducks lined up before I buy this type of vehicle. Whilst I have no problem buying a four cylinder; it would be nice to have the choice of a six without the rear seat considering the fact that fuel consumption is not much different between the two.

you can get a 5-seater with the V6 in the '08 model line up (EX-V6 5-seater), its listed in their '08 brochure.

[random006]

I realy can't understand the thinking re. model configuration. I have the same requirements as the previous poster and will never need the rear seat. What gives here. This is a good product but I hope they have their marketing ducks lined up before I buy this type of vehicle. Whilst I have no problem buying a four cylinder; it would be nice to have the choice of a six without the rear seat considering the fact that fuel consumption is not much different between the two.

you can get a 5-seater with the V6 in the '08 model line up (EX-V6 5-seater), its listed in their '08 brochure.

Which is what I said just 5 or so posts above.

At least one poster stated that what he wants is a fully loaded 5 seater V6:  Sunroof, climate control, trip computer, ...  In short, imagine - if you will - an EX-V6-LUXURY 5 seat edition.

[airbalancer]

"Which is what I said just 5 or so posts above."
Instead of saying it, you should be be writing it, I cannot hear you, my volume is turned down

[safristi]

  WADDYA SAY???

[Jim89]

Wouldn't a Mazda 5 with 2 power sliding doors, leather, for $26K with 0% 5year financing sound more appealing?