The Kia Rondo takes up little space yet it seats up to seven adults. It's shorter than the six-passenger Mazda5, but it offers more third-row legroom than a Toyota RAV4. We found the ride, handling and brakes of the Kia Rondo excellent. It's a good vehicle for running around town or for taking the whole family on a long trip.
A four-cylinder engine comes standard with an EPA-rated City/Highway 20/27 miles per gallon. We found it to be strong, offering good acceleration performance for passing on two-lane roads, and it's smooth and quiet when cruising down the highway. This 2.4-liter four-cylinder comes mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode.
A smooth 2.7-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic is optional. It's rated 18/26 mpg and delivers more thrust more smoothly and adds just $1,000 to the retail price, making it a bargain.
The seats are comfortable whether in cloth or leather. The driver sits relatively high and the Rondo feels like neither a car nor a sport utility. In addition to people, it can haul lots of stuff; just flip down the back two rows of seats.
For 2009, both engines are upgraded in power. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder was rated at 162 horsepower last year, but is now at 175 horsepower in ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) form, and 167 horsepower in SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) form; the SULEV version is sold in the states of California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Oregon. The 2.7-liter V6 was 182 horsepower, and is now 192 in all states. There is a new Plus Package for the LX trim level; it includes alloy wheels, carpeted floormats and heated front seats ($590). For the upper-grade EX trim level there is a Premium Package, which includes a power sunroof, Infinity AM/FM/MP3/Sirius 315-watt digital audio system with a six-CD changer, and navigation ($2400).
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