Why you should buy this car:

Because you're not quite ready for a minivan, but need room for five to seven people and associated stuff in an economical and more wagon like than crossover package. Because you like the name, or have a Rondo thirst.

Why you should not buy this car:

Because you're looking to run track days in a small space wagon. Because you cannot live without blinding acceleration and off the scale handling. Because you believe you need a land yacht of some kind to move more than one person about.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: Yes
· Mack Daddies: No
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: Yes
· Penny Pinchers: Yes
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: Yes
· Technogeeks: Yes
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: No
· Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:

· Mazda 5

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Kia
· Model tested: EX
· Model year: 2007
· Base Price: 16,395
· Price as Tested: 22,495 MSRP
· Engine type: 2.7L 24 Valve DOHC V6
· Horsepower: 182@6000 RPM
· Torque: 182@4000 RPM
· Redline: 7000
· Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
· Curb Weight: 3511 Pounds (Seven Seat)
· LxWxH: 179 X 71.7 X 67.7 inches
· Wheelbase: 106.3
· Tires: P225/50R17 Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus
· Drive type: Front Wheel Drive
· 0 - 60 mph: 8.5 seconds
· 1/4-mile: 16.910
· Fuel economy city/highway: 20/27
· NHTSA crash test rating: 5/5/5/4/4

Related:
Kia Rondo Korean BBQ Tour, Part 1; Part 2 [Internal]

Exterior Design: ***

Not quite as large as a minivan yet bigger than a station wagon or tall hatchpact, the Rondo appears down the lines as a shrunken space wagon. The only angle we found somewhat odd was a direct side view. Fancy headlamps and wheels add style to economy.

Interior Design: ****

Space surrounds you in Rondo. Pawing around the better than average interior materials revealed more mystery compartments and fuzzy cubby holes than the Winchester Mystery House. Rear seat adjustment tracks and optional third row seating for kidlets makes Rondo a flexible and comfy people mover. Kia new car smell is oddly similar to that experienced sliding on a new KBC motorcycle helmet.

Acceleration: ***

The engine was somewhat slacking in early punch torque expected from a V-6. The power is there, but not so aggressive that the steering wheel puts up a fight. Smooth delivery got things going where they needed to and without drama. Passing gear power came on like a lamb yet went out more lion like.

Braking ***

While a slightly vague pedal feeling didn't help stop a distant quality in the brake feedback department, the brakes got the job done. Slowing Rondo down from high speeds down off ramps or quick stops in random city driving was uneventful. 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control comes as standard issue.

Ride ***

The Rondo fared well for a mini space wagon with suspension was obviously geared towards multiple human comfort over taut steering response. Over chuckhole filled city streets or at highway speed the ride was what you would expect from such a vehicle.

Handling ***

Rondo handled emergency maneuvers around random events with refreshing predictability. A tight turning radius made parking lot navigation and parallel parking turnarounds an easy task. Traction control kicks in if you push too hard, and causes an odd wha'happen sensation.

Gearbox ***

The five-speed Rondo gearbox shifted automatically without excess hunting or random searching. The key feature of this slushbox is the 10-Year 100K warranty. Worry not about shifting gears in Rondo!

Audio/Video ***

The Rondo EX tester was equipped with an optional Infinity AM/FM/CDC six-speaker system. This a huge leap forward from a Kia we drove last year that featured a cassette player! We were honestly too busy chowing down to fully test the system at peak levels, but it sounded fine on FM setting. Aux input jack for iPods and Cowon Mp3 players is coming for 2008.

Value *****

Price is a key consideration, as Rondo is currently the value leader in the small in North America seven passenger mini-space wagon class. Even fully equipped the Rondo hovers around the 20K range. Multi-person vehicular function and a certain amount of fun can be had on the cheap. Nearest competitor features a sliding door, but no V-6.

Toys *

We got the feeling Rondo is better equipped to carry toys than have too many built-in. Included multiple compartments and trap doors would be perfect for storing toys. Damping control on grab handles and glovebox door was a nice touch. We're not quite sure if the fuzzy lining inside the sunglasses holder qualifies as a toy or not.

Trunk ***

This Rondo had the optional third row split seating which folds flat for hatchback-type trunk action. Beyond the third row the rear seats also fold down giving Rondo 31.7 cubic feet with third row and 35 without. The third row looked entertaining, but we couldn't get anyone to actually sit back there. Roof rack features an adjustable track system.

Overall ***

We had a good time driving Rondo about, and so did everyone that rode around with us. Decent power and respectable mileage add up to functional mini-space wagon satisfaction at a reasonable price. – Mike Bumbeck

Related:
Kia Rondo Korean BBQ Tour, Part 1; Part 3 [Internal]

Soot Bull Jeep
Our first stop brought us down into Koreatown. On board was our own Jonny Lieberman and neighbor Zak Hawthorne. We put Zak into the rear seat by virtue of his over six-foot tall stature. It was Zak that figured out the split rear seats not only were worthy of a space wagon, but also had their own adjustment tracks like the front seats. Bonus, Rondo! The Rondo handled the mean streets of downtown Los Angeles with no surprises, even during quasi-emergency maneuvers avoiding drivers performing random left and right darts. Once we actually found the legendary Soot Bull Jeep we waited merely a few minutes before being seated and ordering a full compliment of beefs, shrimps, and eels. Soot Bull Jeep features genuine wood charcoal smoking action underneath the in table grille, which imparts a lasting and tasty flavor into the meats. This same smoke also fills the restaurant. The various sides were an exploration into fantastic. We also learned that the razed lot across was once the Ambassador Hotel where Robert Kennedy was shot, and that the plate of leaf lettuce is supposed to be used to wrap around the tasty BBQ like a tortilla.

Soot Bull Jeep ****
3136 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Phone: 213.387.3865

YooSung Garden
Evening two involved a longer distance Rondo highway test and dual county navigation. First stop was out to Ventura County to collect Analog Assassins club president Billy Bautista. We then took the Ventura highway away from the sunshine, and thundered Rondo into the San Fernando Valley to scoop up one Dan Kahn. Finding a BBQ establishment was more improvisational time around. After driving around for a few minutes we lucked out in a mini-mall featuring not one but two joints. Billy remembered the mini-mall as where he used to come drift cars around the parking lot. His bud Herbert met us there. We chose the shinier looking place and lucked out after we sat down. 18 bucks each for all-u-can-eat BBQ and choice of two sushi rolls! You didn't have to ask us twice. Meats were limited to less exotic critters, as we would have otherwise shrimped the place out of evening profit. So endless was the supply that we experienced fiery grille problems. Our Rondo thirst for Soju was also endless, but fortunately we had a designated driver. In the end Billy B slapped his belly, proclaiming it was the best 18 bucks he had ever spent. Rondo transported everyone back home satisfied and without issue.

YooSung Garden ****
17623 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA 91406
818.758.9545

Young Dong Garden
The Rondo BBQ tour ended with a daylight stop in Arcadia, California on our way back from the drag races. Before the third and final BBQ stop the Rondo went clear from Montrose to Fontucky and back, even experiencing some carpool lane action. After a day of California Speedway baking sun, nitromethane fumes, and good old tire smoke we were ready for some more savory BBQ goodness. There was no grille in the table at Young Dong, and unfortunately the food was not as impressive as the oddball Polynesian Swiss Chalet architecture of the former steakhouse. To be fair, it was hard to top the smoky goodness of Soot Bull Jeep, or the endless platter supply at YooSung Garden. Young Dong was more dish-based than family style, and the Bimbimbop and Spicy Chicken were tasty and plentiful. The various side dishes and kim chees were not as well thought out. By the end of the week Rondo had been to three restaurants, a drag race, three counties, and slaked our Rondo thirst.

Young Dong Garden ***
19 West Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
626.698.6198

– Mike Bumbeck

Related:
Kia Rondo Korean BBQ Tour, Part 2; Part 3 [Internal]